Šiauliai Tourism Information Centre

BALTS’ ROAD, THE SEMIGALLIAN ROUTE SEGMENT

Download GPX
Briefly about the route
Moderate
640 km
2 d..
37
Route surface
50% Asphalt
45% Dirt road
5% Forest path

Route: Vītiņi – Biksti – Zebrene – Dobele – Jelgava – Cena – Tērvete – Vilce –  Mežotne – Bauska – Bārbele – Pasvalys – Šiauliai – Satrija – Papilė –  Viekšniai – Mažeikiai 
 
The Semigallian Route Segment highlights ancient values of the cultural  and historical landscapes of Semigallians as well as signi cant natural heritage  sites that were known to Semigallians living here centuries ago. Historical sources indicate that Semigallians were among the richest and  most militant nations. Resistance battles and defence against the Crusaders  was organised from hillforts. Silakalns, Mežotne, TērveteDobe, Spārnu and Dobele hillforts in Latvia and Rekčiai and Ąžuolpamūšė retained their characteristic shape to this day. Šatrija was an important centre of neighbouring Samogitia.  
On September 22, 1236, one of the biggest battles of the North Crusades –  the Battle of Saulė – took place in Semigallia. In the present-day Latvia  and Lithuania, it is celebrated as the Balts’ Unity Day. Horses were a crucial  part of military expeditions; the hardy and courageous žemaitukai horses are  seen grazing near Pakruojis Manor. You will discover stories about the  Battle of Saulė, Semigallians and their kings and lands by visiting Tērvete Wooden Castle of 12th century, Bauska Castle, the Dobele Local  History Museum, the Jelgava History and Art Museum of Ģederts  Eliass, the Pasvalys Museum, the Mažeikiai Museum and the Šiauliai Aušros Museum. 
The Pasvalys Museum tells about sinkholes and the life of people in  the karst region. Glacial stones and their diversity in the Balts’ countries can be  found in the extensive collection of stones by Antanas StapulionisKamanos High Swamp and several hundred thousand years old Papilė  outcrops are also related to the Ice Age. The fabled Lake Zebrus, Zemgale’s  biggest lake, and Ezerlūķi Hillfort with its surroundings are among the  most mysterious places in Semigallia (Zemgale).  
On the route, you will also see Lake Svēte and Elkus Hillock (Elkus kalns),  Dobele Crafts House (Dobeles Amatu māja), Farm House “Caunītes”, the  Bauska Museum, Bārbele Sulphur Spring, restored sanctuary in Baltic God Park – Museum, the Herb Plant Farm of Jadvyga BalvočiūtėSantekliai Sacred Pine Forest and the Museum of S. Daukantas.

 

Trip progress

25 km
20 min.
11 km
< 10 min.
15 km
15 min.
21 km
20 min.
470 m
< 1 min.
660 m
< 1 min.
30 km
25 min.
12 km
< 10 min.
43 km
35 min.
1.2 km
< 1 min.
15 km
15 min.
46 km
35 min.
12 km
< 10 min.
1.4 km
< 10 min.
30 km
25 min.
50 km
40 min.
10 km
< 10 min.
2 km
< 10 min.
38 km
30 min.
26 km
20 min.
14 km
15 min.
19 km
15 min.
13 km
< 10 min.
2.5 km
< 10 min.
2.2 km
< 10 min.
6 km
< 10 min.
7 km
< 10 min.
3.8 km
< 10 min.
55 km
45 min.
43 km
35 min.
11 km
< 10 min.
19 km
15 min.
260 m
< 1 min.
21 km
20 min.
36 km
30 min.

Reviews

Comment

Smartphone app / Audio guide

It is an interactive, innovative, modern technology-based learning and cultural awareness tool for Lithuanian and foreign visitors to get to know important and unique cultural heritage objects and famous people in our country