LOCATION
Žemaitija National Park is located in western Lithuania, in Plungė district, about 70 km from the Baltic Sea. Total area 21 754 ha: forests – 10515 ha (44,6%). (Visitors center coordination: 56.042586, 21.815143 (WGS)
Žemaitija Nacional Park was established in 1991 to preserve the natural and cultural heritage, to guarantee proper usage and regeneration of natural resources and to create suitable conditions for cognitive tourism. All life in Žemaitija National Park revolves around Lake Plateliai. This lake is not only the largest and deepest, but also the most beautiful in all Žemaitija, together with the landscape around it – invaluable shores, islands and lovely forests. The biggest part of the Park constitutes of quite high (150-190 m.a.s.l.) hills. Park is full of unique valuables showing the cultural heritage of this land dating back to the Stone Age. It’s inhabited by Samogitians, who have preserved their dialect, customs, features of character, buildings and original small- scale architecture. More than 200 of valuables of cultural heritage are taken care of. The old cultural heritage are mounds, old sacred places, grave- yards, places of the settlements and small architectural values (Samogitian crosses, chapels). Cross symbolism is included in the UNESCO representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
Wildlife: The National park is filled with dense, shady fir trees, western taiga called natural old coniferous and mixed forests. They are protected in all Europe. Swamps are rich in various species. There are many exclusive trees in the National Park considered to be natural heritage objects, including the most impressive one – Witch‘s Ash Tree. It‘s the thickest ash in Lithuania. Bird species protected in Europe put eggs in the National park (Hazel Grouse, Corn Crake, Whooper Swan), you can also find there relics of the ice age plant – beats. Park territory, except for recreational and other functional zones (residential purpose priority), has been granted the status of an important site for protection of Bird and habitats – NATURA 2000. In 2008, The Žemaitija National Park and Plateliai, famous for Shrovetide celebration, became the most attractive Europe’s tourism destination (EDEN). In 2013, the Park became a member of the European Charter for Sustainable Tourism in Protected Areas.
Attractions: It is offered for visitors to try Šeirė (4,1km) and Paplatelė (2,3km) Walking trail or to try Cycling Path (24km) around Lake Plateliai. Visitors can watch the birds in the observation towers, sail by boats, water bikes, windsurfers and yachts or enjoy other activities such as diving, fishing, swimming and camping, or excursions around the Park and surroundings. It’s recommended to climb the Siberia viewing tower, which overlooks Beržoras surroundings, e.g. the Siberia Marsh, Lake Plateliai, etc.
Visiting the museum: 1. The Cold War exposition. It is the only one in all of Europe. It‘s located in the former Soviet Union‘s complex of ballistic missile silo launch. 2. Expositions of Žemaitija National park and Shrove Tuesday. Here visitors can see ethnography of this region. In the traditional craft center, visitors can taste traditional Samogitian dishes and participate in educational activities. It is recommended to visit Žemaičių Kalvarija, which is one of the most visited Lithuanian sacral areas and is included in the pilgrimage of Pope John Paul II.
