Kurkliai between river landscapes and wooden buildings

Kurkliai offers several distinct themes for planning your trip: the protected landscape along the Virinta, canoe trips on the river, a park with Sakura trees and wooden buildings. You can tailor your stay according to whether nature, a water-based activity or architectural history should take centre stage. If you are looking for a hotel in Kurkliai, these themes can help you narrow down your choice of location.

The Virinta: landscape and water

The banks and meadows of the Virinta near Kurkliai have been protected as part of a landscape conservation area for almost three decades. A path leads from the Kurklių Synagogue through the meadows to the river. The conservation area and the path convey different aspects of the same landscape: the protection applies to the banks and meadows, while the path provides a direct link between the synagogue and the river. This gives the nature theme both a connection to the protected landscape and a clearly defined route.

Activities offered in Kurkliai include canoe trips on the fast-flowing and unpredictable Virinta. If you are considering this activity, the description of the river is a practical part of your planning. Check in advance whether a trip is offered for your preferred date. Unlike the path through the meadows, the canoe trip takes place on the river. Both descriptions relate to the Virinta but present different ways to include it in your travel plans: walking from the synagogue through the meadows or taking part in an activity on the water.

A more recent highlight: Sakura Park

The park, with 28 Sakura trees, was established from 2022 onwards. This adds a distinct park theme alongside the river landscape and wooden buildings. Its timeframe differs markedly from that of the bell tower, which was built in 1874. If you organise your visit to Kurkliai by theme, the park, established from 2022 onwards, adds a more recent highlight alongside the historical aspects of the architectural heritage.

Wooden architecture in Kurkliai

The Kurklių Šv. Jurgio bažnyčia is a wooden church with features of folk architecture and Neoclassicism. Its churchyard contains a large wooden bell tower, built in 1874 and housing three bells. The church and tower can be distinguished by their different features: the church is notable for two architectural influences, while the tower is notable for its year of construction and its bells.

The preserved wooden Kurklių Synagogue is a regionally significant entry in the Register of Cultural Property and is valued for its architectural details. It adds a cultural-historical dimension to the theme of wooden construction. For an architecture-focused visit, there are several perspectives to choose from: the church’s stylistic features, the tower’s year of construction and bells, or the synagogue’s significance in the register and architectural details. You can choose a focus based on whether you are more interested in architectural styles, a dated building or the regional importance of a cultural property.

Discover more destinations: Svėdasai, Skiemonys, Rubikiai, Andrioniškis

For the overview of the wider area: Anykščiai District Municipality.