Šiauliai, Lithuania

Reading Time: 6 minutes

Šiauliai, Lithuania

Region: Šiauliai is located in the Šiauliai County

---

Geographic Coordinates: 55.933300, 23.316700

Climate: Cold winters, mild summers, and frequent precipitation throughout the year in Šiauliai, Lithuania.

Population: 107086

Language: Lithuanian

---

Šiauliai is a city located in northern Lithuania, About 200 kilometers away from the capital city of Vilnius. It is the fourth-largest city in Lithuania and has a population of around 100, 000 people. The city is renowned for its rich history, Cultural heritage, And stunning natural surroundings. One of the most famous landmarks in Šiauliai is the Hill of Crosses which has become an important pilgrimage site for Catholics since the early 19th century. The hill features thousands of crosses that have been placed there by pilgrims over many years as a symbol of their faith and devotion.

Another popular attraction in Šiauliai is St. George’s Church which was built in the late 18th century and features impressive frescoes, Sculptures, And paintings by some of Lithuania’s most renowned artists. Šiauliai also boasts several museums that showcase its rich cultural heritage such as the Šiauliai Aušros Museum which houses artifacts related to Lithuanian history and culture while the Photography Museum displays works by local photographers.

The city also offers several parks and nature reserves where visitors can enjoy hiking, Cycling or simply relaxing amidst beautiful natural surroundings such as Rėkyva Regional Park which covers an area over 11 thousand hectares with forests filled with oak trees along with rivers flowing through them. For those interested in shopping or dining out, Šiauliai offers numerous options including shopping centers like Akropolis Mall which has over two hundred shops as well as restaurants serving traditional Lithuanian cuisine such as potato pancakes or cepelinai (stuffed potato dumplings).

Šiauliai provides visitors with a unique combination of historical sites, Cultural attractions and natural beauty making it one of Lithuania’s must-visit destinations for any traveler looking to explore this fascinating country further!

---

---

1. Hill of Crosses is a unique pilgrimage site with thousands of crosses erected on a hill.
2. St. George’s Church is a beautiful Baroque-style church dating back to the 17th century.
3. Šiauliai City Museum is an interesting museum showcasing the history and culture of the city and region.
4. Chaim Frenkel Villa Museum is a museum dedicated to the life and work of Chaim Frenkel, an important figure in Lithuanian Jewish culture.
5. The Bicycle Museum features a collection of vintage bicycles and cycling memorabilia from around the world.
6. The Sun Clock is a large sundial located in the city center that serves as a popular meeting spot for locals.
7. Rėkyva Lake Park is a scenic park with walking trails, playgrounds, and picnic areas surrounding Rėkyva Lake.
8. The Šiauliai Arena is a modern multi-purpose arena that hosts concerts, sporting events, and other cultural activities throughout the year.
9. Ausros Vartai (Gates of Dawn) – A historic city gate that dates back to 1695 which is now considered one of Lithuania’s most significant religious sites due to its location next to an important Catholic shrine.
10. The Sventoji River Trail offers beautiful views along Sventoji river including bridges over waterfalls or rapids like Bubiai waterfall where you can swim or fish too!

---

1. Manufacturing: Šiauliai has a strong manufacturing industry, with companies producing textiles, furniture, food products, and machinery.
2. Agriculture: The region around Šiauliai is known for its fertile soil and agricultural production of crops such as wheat, barley, potatoes, and vegetables.
3. Retail: There are many retail businesses in Šiauliai’s city center including shops selling clothing, electronics, home goods and more.
4. Services: The service sector is also growing in the city with businesses such as banks, insurance companies and other financial services providers.
5. Tourism: As one of the largest cities in Lithuania there is a growing tourism industry with attractions like the Hill of Crosses drawing visitors from around the world.

---

1. The Battle of Šiauliai (1701) – a battle between Swedish and Russian forces during the Great Northern War.
2. The establishment of the first Lithuanian gymnasium in Šiauliai in 1905.
3. The Šiauliai Ghetto – a Jewish ghetto established by the Nazis during World War II, where thousands of Jews were imprisoned before being deported to concentration camps.
4. Jonas Basanavičius – a prominent Lithuanian cultural and political figure who lived in Šiauliai for several years.
5. Juozas Tumas-Vaižgantas – a famous Lithuanian writer who was born in Šiauliai.
6. The construction of the Hill of Crosses near Šiauliai, which has become an important pilgrimage site for Catholics from around the world.
7. The establishment of Sėla, one of Lithuania’s first agricultural cooperatives, in 1907 by Antanas Baranauskas, a bishop who lived in Šiauliai for many years.

---

1. Hill of Crosses is a unique pilgrimage site with thousands of crosses on a small hill.
2. Šiauliai Ausros Museum is dedicated to the history and culture of Šiauliai.
3. St. George’s Church is an impressive neo-Gothic church in the city center.
4. Art Gallery Ars et Mundus showcases contemporary Lithuanian art.
5. Šiauliai Regional Museum features exhibits on local history, culture, and archaeology.
6. The Bicycle Museum highlights the history of bicycles and cycling in Lithuania.
7. The Shtetl Museum offers insights into Jewish life in Lithuania before World War II.
8. The Chaim Frenkel Villa, an Art Nouveau villa, now houses the Šiauliai University Faculty of Arts.
9. Muzeum Miasta Siaulai (City Museum) showcases artifacts from medieval times up until modern day at this historical museum.
10. Sundial Square is a beautiful public square with intricate designs, sculptures and fountains that’s perfect for taking pictures or just relaxing outside on sunny days!

---

---

1. BC Šiauliai – Established in 1964, this basketball team has been one of Lithuania’s most successful basketball clubs. They have won numerous Lithuanian Basketball League championships and have also competed in European competitions.
2. FK Riteriai – Founded in 1995, this football team has played in various Lithuanian football leagues. In 2020, they achieved their greatest success by winning the A Lyga – Lithuania’s top-tier football league.
3. BC Šiauliai-2 – This is the second basketball team associated with BC Šiauliai that competes in lower-tier leagues.
4. LKKA ir Teisingumas – Established back in 1958, this handball club is one of the most successful handball clubs from Lithuania’s northern region.
5. Sūduva-Mantinga – This women’s volleyball club came into existence as part of a joint venture between two clubs from different cities (Sūduva Marijampolė and Mantinga Kaunas) to compete at higher levels.

---

---

1. Šiauliai City Festival is a celebration of the city’s history and culture, featuring concerts, exhibitions, and other events.
2. Jazz Nights is an annual International Jazz Festival that attracts jazz musicians from all over the world.
3. The Šiauliai Street Music Festival brings together street musicians to perform in various locations throughout the city.
4. The Šiauliai International Film Festival showcases international films with screenings and discussions held throughout the city.
5. St. John’s Day (Joninės) is a traditional Lithuanian holiday celebrated on June 24th with bonfires, dancing, and feasting.
6. The Christmas Market (Kalėdų turgus) is an annual market selling traditional Christmas goods such as ornaments, gifts, and food items.
7. Midsummer Night (Rasos) is another traditional Lithuanian holiday celebrated on June 23rd with singing, dancing, and bonfires to mark the summer solstice.
8. The Folk Art Fair (Tautodailės mugė) showcases traditional Lithuanian crafts such as weaving, pottery making, and woodcarving.
9. City Days of Rainmakers (Lietvorių miesto dienos) celebrates the unique tradition of rainmaking in Lithuania through various events like parades or exhibitions.
10. Lithuania’s Independence Day – February 16th is celebrated across Lithuania including Siauliai with parades or flag-raising ceremonies.

---

1. Šiaulių Krašto Aidas – a restaurant known for its traditional Lithuanian dishes such as cepelinai (potato dumplings), kugelis (potato pudding), and šaltibarščiai (cold beet soup).
2. Kepykla Nr. 1 – a bakery that serves fresh bread, pastries, and cakes.
3. Bernelių užeiga – a chain of restaurants that offer Lithuanian-style fast food such as grilled meat dishes, soups, and salads.
4. Momo Grill – a restaurant that specializes in grilled meats and vegetables served with various sauces.
5. Pizzerija Dueta – a pizzeria that offers traditional Italian-style pizzas as well as unique Lithuanian-inspired toppings like smoked salmon or pickled cucumber.
6. Čili Pica – a chain of pizza restaurants that also serve burgers, pasta dishes, salads, and desserts.
7. Bistro 18 – a modern bistro that serves European-style cuisine with an emphasis on seasonal ingredients sourced from local farmers and producers.
8. Kavos Stotis Kavos Architektai – a café known for its specialty coffee drinks made from high-quality beans roasted in-house.
9. Sushi Time Šiauliai – a sushi restaurant offering both traditional Japanese sushi rolls as well as fusion creations with Lithuanian ingredients like smoked eel or pickled mushrooms.
10. Gastro Pub 21 – another modern bistro serving European cuisine with an emphasis on locally sourced ingredients including meats from nearby farms prepared using contemporary techniques to create innovative dishes paired with craft beers or wines from the region’s vineyards.

---

1. Šiauliai Botanical Garden is a beautiful park that boasts various plant species, walking paths, and a small lake.
2. Rėkyvos Park is an urban park that features playgrounds, sports fields, and picnic areas.
3. Aušros Hill is a popular spot for hiking enthusiasts who want to enjoy panoramic views of the city.
4. Šiauliai City Park is a large green space with walking paths, benches, and a fountain.
5. Bicycle trails are abundant in Šiauliai with several routes that take you through scenic countryside and forests.
6. Basketball courts are scattered throughout the city where you can play pick-up games or join leagues.
7. During winter months in the city center of Šiauliai there is an outdoor ice skating rink available for public use.
8. Recreational swimming or lap training can be enjoyed at both indoor and outdoor swimming pools located throughout the city of Šiauliai.
9. Skateboarding enthusiasts should head over to Rėkyvos Park where they’ll find ramps to practice their skills at the skateboarding park nearby.
10. Tennis lovers will be pleased to know that there are several tennis courts around town offering lessons as well as casual games opportunities.

---

---