Šiauliai

    

Šiauliai (pop. 130.0 thousand) is the fourth largest city of the country located in Northern Lithuania, whose history dates back to the victorious Battle of the Sun, which took place on 22 September 1236. In the course of its history the city was devastated by wars, plagues and fires many times. The only architectural object having survived from the ancient times is St. Peter and Paul Cathedral in a Renaissance style, whose tower visible from afar, 70 m high, is the landmark of Šiauliai panorama. The tower houses the survived unique solar clock. In the 2^nd half of the 18^th century the rearrangement of the city according to the principles of classicist architecture was started. Only several buildings have survived from that period. Located on the crossing of roads and railways the city would greatly suffer during all battles and wars.

Rebuilt after a number of devastations, the city takes pride in its pedestrian boulevard decorated with artistic elements, which is the first central street in Lithuania allotted to pedestrians. Built on the outskirts of Šiauliai, the Solar Clock Square with the dynamic and shining sculpture of a Shot by sculptor S. Kuzma commemorates the 750^th anniversary of the Battle of the Sun.   

In 1923, the famous Aušros museum was founded in Šiauliai, presently holding several interesting branches, including the museums of Photography, Bicycles and others as well as the complex exposition of “Country Mansion” installed in Frenkelis’ Mansion. Previously it displayed some of its exhibits in international exhibitions New York and Paris. It is worth visiting the old cemetery of the city where persons of different beliefs are buried, or walking along an ecological path, 5 km long, around the lake of Talša. Those who love extreme experiences are offered to go on a tour to the former Soviet military airport of Zokniai. The Hill of Crosses, one of the most famous symbols of Catholic Lithuania attracting crowds of visitors from all over the world, is located in close proximity to Šiauliai. People started placing crosses on this hill, in a form of a saddle, after the suppression of the Lithuanians’ liberation uprising in 1831. People are placing crosses here asking for heavenly graces or in a sign of gratitude for these or commemorating some significant events in personal or national life. The hill features a diverse panorama of crosses ranging from the most expressive sculptural compositions decorated with wood carvings to austere ascetic ones; some of them are 3-4 m high, others – of human height (over 20,000), and an infinite variety of tiny ones placed by tourists wishing their dreams to come true. Presently, the Hill of Crosses is the most frequented sacral site in Lithuania.