Churches

The Church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Joniskis. This church may be described as the enduring historical symbol of the town. The church dates back to 1536, when, on the initiative of Vilnius Bishop Jonas, the settlement inhabitants were Christianized and the parish established. In 1901 the church was rebuilt. The church interior is predominantly Neoclassical, whereas the exterior bears features of the Neo-Renaissance style and composition principles with some elements of medieval architecture. The church tower, built in an eclectic range of styles, is decorated with statues and wall-paintings situated in the front and lateral niches.

Old Zagare Church was already mentioned as far back as the early 16th century. The founder of the church was landowner Mikalojus Syrevicius. In 1605 the church burned down, but was soon rebuilt. Presumably, it was the Zagare landowner Albrechtas Umiastauskas who founded the new stone church (now bearing the name of the Church of St Peter and Paul in Old Zagare) built in 1712. In the church there is a crypt for Blessed Barbara Umiastauskaite (1628-1648) who was known for her piety and heaven-sent healing power.

In New Zagare, the first church dedicated to St Peter and Paul was built already in 1523 during the complex Renaissance period. The church was built in the Romanesque style. The main feature of the façade is the massive tower. The rigid church exterior is in sharp contrast to its sophisticated interior decorated with gold-plated details and works of art. The church is surrounded by a stone wall with Stations of the Cross - chapels made of the same stonework.

Nearby, in the Zagare town park, you can find the War Memorial for those who died for the Motherland.

Legend has it that on the hill on which now the Skaistgiris church stands, once upon a time there was a green pine wood named ‘Skaisti giria’ (the Dewy Wood). The first Roman Catholic church was built in Skaistgiris on the initiative of  King John Casimir in the 17th century. The present-day St George’s parish church in Skaistgiris was built in 1836. The interior of this stonework church is modest, yet slightly enlivened by the altars. The churchyard is surrounded by a stone wall; the Stations of the Cross are worthy of note.

In 1770 in Rudiskiai the first wooden Catholic church was built. In 1868, with funds provided by the parishioners, the new wooden Church of St Philip and St James the Apostles was built. There are some old works of religious art and other objects of devotion in it. The interior, décor and artistic expression make this church one of the most attractive churches in the Joniskis district.

In 1920 in Juodekiai, the wooden Church of St. John the Baptist was built. The central part of the gable is decorated by  a relief Baroque-style chapel with a Cross in the middle. The iron gates of the churchyard are ornamented, the pillars are made of brickwork. Nearby stands the cottage of Father Stanislovas who was widely known for his noble demeanour. For a period he served here as a priest.

The Church of Christ Crucified in Zukanciai is thought to have begun as a cemetery chapel built in 1777. In 1864, a new white stonework chapel was built. Since 1936 this chapel has been called a church. It is a one-tower church in the Neo-Gothic style. In 1998 it was renovated with funding provided by the congregation.

The first Gasciunai village church, now named after St Stanislaus Kostka, was a timber one and it was built in the 17th century. In the late 18th century the old decaying church was rebuilt. In 1931 the church was rebuilt, enlarged and dedicated anew. Close to the churchyard  stands a monument to commemorate the Holy Year of 1933.

Synagogues

Joniskis is proud of its two synagogues, the only such complex still extant in Lithuania. The complex consists of two parallel brick buildings: the White synagogue and the Red one. The White summer synagogue was built in 1823 in the style of late Classicism. In its exterior one can trace both the late Classic and the Romantic styles. However, recently the plan of the synagogue has been changed and the interior destroyed. The Red synagogue was built in 1865. It is a building of integral volume, of one and two floors, covered with a span roof. The building has elements of  Neo-Gothic architecture. The composition of its facades is typical for Jewish houses of prayer. The authentic interior, the Aron Kodesh, as well as some elements of wall painting are still extant in this synagogue.

                
Chapels

The Raktuve cemetery chapel, built in 1796, stands on the Rakte hill overlooking the cemetery. It is a wooden building of folk architecture. On the corner of the mound there is a wooden belfry. It houses an exposition of crosses and photographs “Monuments of sacral workmanship in Zagare”.

The Kurmaiciai cemetery chapel. It is presumed to have been built in 1799. The rectangular ground plan and architectural expression of the chapel is typical of Lithuanian folk architecture. On the top of the turreted roof  is a cross. In 1998 this chapel was ranked among the best restored objects in Lithuania. The unique altar was restored in 2004.

The Kalnelis village cemetery chapel. According to legend, the chapel may have been built on the site of a pagan sanctuary. The chapel dates back to the late 18th - early 19th centuries; it is a building of folk architecture. In 1939 the chapel was renovated. Many authentic elements still remain in the chapel.

The exact date when the chapel of St Ignatius in Jakiskiai village was built is not known. This chapel is original, perhaps even a unique example of its kind. The hipped roof has a turret on top. The manor house dating back to 1898 is situated next to the chapel; there are many authentic details in it such as stoves or elements of wall painting. The well-preserved exterior of the manor house is also impressive.

Another impressive chapel is the Neo-Gothic red-brick chapel in Milvydziai village cemetery. It was built in the 19th century. There are six classical-style candlesticks (made in 1817) in the chapel.

The chapel of St Isidore in Mergiunai village cemetery was started in 1930. Each year St Isidore’s Feast takes place here. After World War II, the chapel was devastated. After Lithuania regained its sovereignty, it was renovated (in 1995).

The St John Nepomuk chapel in Ivoskiai village cemetery was presumably built in the18th century. To this day it still contains some valuable works of art.

The date of erection of the Balkaiciai village cemetery wooden chapel is not known. There are three pretty 19th century wooden crosses in this chapel.

The date of erection of the Posiupiai village cemetery chapel remains unknown.  The top of the hexagonal chapel tower is decorated with a cross. After World War II the chapel was closed.

                     
Flourmills

The windmill with its authentic mechanical equipment in Melniai village, Saugelaukio neighbourhood. This windmill of four-floors (32 metres in height) is of historical, technological and scenic value. It is a building of beaten clay, erected in 1896. The authentic millstone mechanism is still there. According to cultural heritage professionals, a similar mechanism can be found only in Bulgaria.

The windmill in Mekiai village, Gatauciai neighbourhood, is a three-floor 14.3 metres high building with a hood and it has historical and technological value. The foundation is made of stone masonry daubed with clay. There are two entrance gates. The most important grinding mechanisms are missing. Numbers chiselled on the stone resting at the entrance door read: 1897. That may well be the windmill’s erection date.

The motor-mill. In Old Zagare there is another flourmill, belonging to Lakstute Preiksaite, a resident of Zagare. It is thought to have been built in the late 19th century. or even around the 1900’s. It is a four-floor building in Raktuve, standing on a territory of 0.28 hectares. This building is of historical, technological and scenic value. It is 13.35 metres high. The motor-mill has not been used since 1940.

The windmill in Plikiskiai village, Satkunai neighbourhood, is a building of historical value.

It is 13.3 meters high. The foundation is set in stonework, the windmill’s hood is made of wood. The date on the weathercock reads: 1889; that is probably the windmill’s erection date. Its initial energy source was wind; later it used electricity. The windmill was used until 1985.

The windmill in Zagariskiai village, Zagare neighbourhood. It is supposed to have been built by serfs in 1770-1780, when the Siauliai region was administered by A.Tyzenhauzas. The windmill is of the Dutch type, made of field stones. It was restored in 1979, but now this windmill is being allowed to fall into disrepair.

                     
Estates

The Zagare manor and estate. In 1795, Empress Catherine II of Russia gave the Siauliai region (including the Zagare estate) as a gift to Earl Platon Zubov, her favourite. In 1858 the Earl sold the estate to Dimitri Naryshkin. In 1840-1860 the latter built on the estate a new manor house and some other buildings, including the stud - the Neo-Gothic red brick buildings. The stud is open to this day: horses are bred and trained here. As many as 20 manor buildings have remained intact until today. The park on the estate is unique for its trees, some of which are rare in Lithuania. There are up to 150 varieties of trees and other plants. It is the largest park in Lithuania noted for its planned structure. The Zagare manor and estate, created on the initiative of the landowner Naryshkin’s family in the late 19th century, is a unique example of the English style applied in all available aspects.

The Jakiskiai manor and estate. In historical sources the manor is mentioned as early as 1578. When the manor was owned by the German landowner Koskull, a new masonry manor house with 17 rooms was built. At present one can see fragmentary remains of the estate: a lime tree avenue at the entrance, three small ponds and several outbuildings, one of which was once used as a steam mill. The manor house is now being restored, with an  attempt being made to preserve the stoves and wall paintings.

The Daunorava manor and estate. Once there were up to 17 buildings on the estate: two houses to accommodate hired labourers, studs, barns, pigsties, fuel-warehouses, cellars, barns for hired day labourers and a flax drying barn. To this day, there are just three fieldstone buildings remaining. There are also some remnants of the manor house and the park in which local trees are growing. From the1940s to 1950s the estate was owned by the family of Count Kaiserling.

The Martyniskiai manor and estate is one of the  manors typical of the Joniskis district. There are some authentic details in the neglected manor house which badly needs restoration.

Museums

The Joniskis History and Culture Museum. The museum collects exhibits and organises educational events, exhibitions and expositions on the history of the land of Joniskis from prehistoric ages to the present day.

The Matas Slančiauskas country estate and museum. It is the memorial museum of the folklorist Matas Slanciauskas, which operates as a  branch of the Joniskis History and Culture Museum. The museum exhibits household objects and appliances of the past, carts, carriages, etc. One of the most interesting objects on the estate is a unique well laid with stones.

Historical sites and monuments

The place of the Battle of Saule. Location: Jauniunai village, Gatauciai neighbourhood. The site of the historical battle of Saule (Siauliai), which took place on 22nd September 1236, is thought to be in the territory of Jauniunai village at the confluence of the Musa and the Tautinis streams. The Battle of Saule was one the fiercest defensive battles during the 250-year-war (1185-1435) in which Lithuanian/Baltic tribes stood their ground against the German Orders of the Knights of the Sword and Knights of the Cross. In this battle the Lithuanian Samogitian army won against the Knights of the Sword and thus repulsed the first crusading attack against Lithuania. The events of the period came to symbolise the permanent hopes and aspirations of the Baltic nations for freedom. The possible site of the battle is marked by a tablet and a stone. As a lasting memorial to the victory, the Battle of Saule monument is going to be erected here in the very near future.

The Monument to the Grand Duke of Lithuania Vytautas. Location: Juodeikiai village, Gazaiciai neighbourhood. The monument was erected in 1930 to commemorate the 500th anniversary of the death of Lithuania’s Grand Duke Vytautas. In 1940, soon after the Soviet occupation of Lithuania, all tablets with inscriptions and national symbols were removed from the monument, yet the monument itself remained intact. When the sovereignty was regained, the monument was restored, including the original inscriptions.

The 10th Anniversary Monument of Lithuania’s Sovereignty. Location: Joniskis Town Square. The monument was erected in 1928 to commemorate the 10th anniversary of Lithuania’s sovereignty. Years of Soviet occupation led to the demolition of the monument in 1969, but when Lithuania became independent again, it was restored in 1989 according to the original model. The monument is decorated with national symbols - the Vytautas cross and the Gediminaiciai logo.

Mounds

The Sidabre castle mound. Location: Kalnelis village, Joniskis district. It is thought to have been connected to the last Ziemgalian castle Sidabre. Archeological studies have shown that the castle and the territory at the foot of the castle mound were settled in the 5th-8th century. One of the Ziemgalian tribes mentioned in historical sources lived there. The name of Sidabre is mentioned in the oldest Livonian Chronicle written in verse in 1289 and 1290, when the Livonian Order attacked the ancient settlement. After the attack some of the Sidabre castle inhabitants withdrew, possibly to Rakte, while others went to the land of Mintauja (Jelgava). Unfortunately, one of the castle mounds of the Sidabre archaeological complex has been levelled for the extraction of gravel. It was situated on the confluence of the Sidabre and Vilkiausio rivers. A memorial stone is the only witness of the Ziemgalian castle that once stood on this site. Archaeological excavations undertaken in 1990 have revealed that in the 16th-18th centuries a manor was situated here.

The Zagare castle mound and settlement, or the Zvelgaitis mound. Location: Zagare town.

The Zagare castle mound, otherwise called the Zvelgaitis mound and also Aukstadvaris, is located on the left bank of the river Svete, in the south-west part of the esker running alongside the bank. The south-east and north-west slopes of the castle mound are very steep, up to 20 metres high. According to archaeological excavations, two settlements of the castle belonging to different periods were situated within 200 metres from each other. So far, no archaeological artefacts have yet been found to prove that a prehistoric settlement could have existed here,

Raktuvės mound (Žagarė, Joniškis district). According to the results of the 1996-1997 research  it can be stated that in the foot of Raktuvė mound from the beginning of the first millennium till the early middle ages (10 th -13 th   centuries) there have been a big settlement.

Objects of interest

E.Vaiciulis private museum. Location: P.Cvirkos g., Zagare.

An unusual house, covered with metal pots, attracts the eye of the passer-by