Užpaliai: History on both sides of the Šventoji

Užpaliai lies on both sides of the Šventoji. Visitors who want to consider historical development and architecture when choosing a destination will find several specific points of interest here: the first written mention, the church and a nearby hillfort. Together, they show different historical and geographical connections.

Local history and early settlement

Užpaliai is first mentioned in a written source in 1261. The settlement developed from a castle belonging to the Grand Duke of Lithuania, through a manor, into a town. Earlier Užpaliai was located on the hillfort in the village of Šeimyniškiai. The site dates from the 10th to the 15th century and is also called the Castle Hill. The first written record and the connection to the hillfort are distinct historical reference points: one identifies the first mention, while the other indicates the former location of Užpaliai.

Church and cultural collection

The bell tower of Užpaliai Church has a square ground plan, four storeys and three sections of different sizes. The ground plan describes its shape as seen from above; the storeys and sections divide the tower vertically. The church also has five altars. A shelter for poor and elderly people, a rectory and an almshouse were also built alongside the new church. These buildings add social and religious institutions to the history of the church.

Another cultural highlight is traditional Aukštaitija towels: a collection in Užpaliai also includes pieces from Viktorija’s personal dowry chest, and Viktorija shares pieces from her own collection with visitors. The textile collection thus adds a personal dimension to the architectural and religious themes.

The hillfort in Šeimyniškiai

The summit of the hillfort is trapezoidal and 70 metres long. It is 40 metres wide at the southeastern end and 19 metres at the northwestern end. The two width measurements refer to different ends and illustrate the shape of the summit. A one-metre-wide terrace runs along the southeastern slope of the ditch between the hillfort and the outer bailey, towards the outer bailey. It is a remnant of an old road. The measurements describe the summit, while the terrace is a separate archaeological feature by the ditch. The southeastern end is therefore more than twice as wide as the northwestern end; the two measurements make the narrowing of the summit clearer than its length alone.

Natural heritage nearby

The Krokulė spring and a stone in the village of Lygamiškis, within the Užpaliai Eldership, are also nearby. Both are state-protected natural heritage sites and are included in the Register of Cultural Property. While the hillfort is connected to the former settlement site of Užpaliai, the spring and the stone represent a different aspect of the surrounding area: protected natural heritage.

Discover more destinations: Sudeikiai, Balninkai, Salakas, Kirdeikiai, Leliūnai, Visaginas, Šilinė, Alanta

For the broader travel overview: Utena County.