Akmenė District Municipality: Archaeology and Geology

Akmenė District Municipality brings together a range of cultural and geological topics: local archaeology in Akmenė, educational activities about geology and history in Venta, and a geological trail with cultural sites in Papilė. The specific places and formats vary, offering you different starting points for planning your trip.

Archaeological finds and a community idea in Akmenė

Akmenės istorijos siena was created based on an idea from the Akmenė community; its creator is the artist Antanas Adomaitis. Local archaeological finds, mainly pieces of jewellery and coins, are displayed in openings in the wall. The wall thus combines an artistic project initiated by the community with a presentation of local archaeology.

Educational activities about geology and history in Venta

The educational programme “Dinozaurų beieškant” at the Ventos regioninio parko lankytojų centras is aimed at school students and consists of a theoretical and a practical part. First, they learn about the nature, geology, and history of the Venta region with their teacher and visit the visitor centre exhibition. They then look for fossils, excavate them, and identify them at the Papartynė geological outcrop, 15 km from Venta.

The educational unit “Ventos krašto istorija ir archeologija” is also aimed at school students. It introduces them to the older history of the Venta region and includes a visit to the exhibition. Practical activities include throwing Žiemgalių spears and lighting a fire with an old flint striker. The two units have different emphases: one programme ranges from nature and geology to fossil hunting, while the other combines older history with practical activities.

Walking trail and cultural sites in Papilė

The geological educational trail Jurakalnio pažintinis takas is a four-kilometre circular route. Along the trail, you can reach Papilė's attractions: the S. Daukanto muziejus, Papilės Šv. Juozapo bažnyčia, the monument and grave of S. Daukantas, Papilės I and II piliakalniai, and the natural monument penkiolikakamienė liepa. The trail thus brings together geological topics and several cultural and historical sites in Papilė.

The cultural programme of the S. Daukanto memorialinis muziejus in Papilė includes poetry festivals, meetings with distinguished guests, discussions about culture, music concerts, and book presentations. The museum thus offers a different way to explore the history and culture of the place than the geological educational trail.

More perspectives in the wider destination of Šiauliai District

In the wider destination of Šiauliai District, the Hill of Crosses lies about 12 km north of Šiauliai and near the Šiauliai–Riga railway line. Pope John Paul II visited the hill on 7 September 1993. As an important religious site, it bears witness to veneration and faithfulness to the sacrifice of the Cross.

Museums in Šiauliai District also cover different themes. The Photography Museum is Lithuania's only specialised museum dedicated to the history of photography, photographic art, and photographic technology. Chaim Frenkel Villa is one of Lithuania's few Art Nouveau buildings from the early 20th century; the exhibition “Fabrikantai Frenkeliai” presents two generations of the Frenkel family and the history of Jews in Šiauliai. The Bicycle Museum is Lithuania's only specialised museum on the history of the bicycle. Visitors can try road cycling in its third-floor exhibition.

For a focus on nature rather than museums, the VU ŠA Botanical Garden covers 6.54 hectares and cultivates more than 4,600 plant species and varieties. Regular events are aimed at the university, city, and district communities.

Discover more destinations: Alkiškiai, Šiaulių rajono savivaldybė, Pakruojis District Municipality, Joniškio rajono savivaldybė, Radviliškis District Municipality, Kelmė District Municipality.

Back to the wider travel overview: Šiauliai District.