back

IN THE TRACK OF THE OGINSKIAI, TIŠKEVIČIAI AND OTHER NOBEL FAMILIES

 
IN THE TRACK OF THE OGINSKIAI, TIŠKEVIČIAI AND OTHER NOBEL FAMILIES

On 30 July 2008, the staff of the Birštonas Tourist Information Centre set off to visit small towns north of Birštonas. You are welcome to join us in exploring the churches and streets of these small towns and giving a bow to the noble Oginskiai and Tiškevičiai families.

 

UŽUGUOSTIS is a village near one of the most visited lakes in the Suvalkija region, the Lake Guosta. We had expected to see the mysterious Madonna of Užuguostis which was brought to this land from Mogilev. Unfortunately, we will have to come here during the Wakes. This picture of the Mother of God with the Infant is showed only during special church feasts:

The Church of Užuguostis The Church of Užuguostis


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The churchyard of the church of Užuguostis In the Church of Užuguostis

 

 

 

 

 

 

The altar of the church The side altar

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The lights of processions The lights of processions

 

 

 

 

 

A small altar for processions

 

A fragment of the church floor

 

 

 

 

 

 

The cross of Užuguostis

 

 

 

 

A fragment of the cross of Užuguostis

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

KALVIAI is a small village situated on the shore of the Lake Kalviai. The village astonishes its visitors by a church built in the period from 1800 to 1806. The Church of Saint Anthony of Padua belongs to the type of round dome sacral buildings which is not common in Lithuania. Another church of this type is located in Sudervė (Vilnius District):

The Church of Kalviai

The cross of the churchyard of Kalviai

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The churchyard of Kalviai

The churchyard of Kalviai

 

 

 

 

 

 

KRUONIS we went there not to have a look at the power plant, but to bow to the dukes Oginskiai. Many people relate this family name to Plungė town; however, they also had an estate in Kruonis, and two noble representatives of the family were buried in the Kruonis church which had once belonged to the Uniats. Impressive tombstone bas-reliefs and the remains of the former palace near the church have remained to date:

Church of Kruonis

Church of Kruonis

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The dome of the church of Kruonis

In the Church of Kruonis

 

 

 

 

 

 

The bas-relief for Bogdan Oginskiy with an epitaph

The bas-relief for Bogdan Oginskiy without the epitaph

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                             Translation of the epitaph

Remains of the Oginskiy Palace Remains of the Oginskiy Palace

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Remains of the Oginskiy Palace

Information about archaeological findings

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                            The historical battle of Strėva took place not far from Kruonis

DARSŪNIŠKIS once belonged to the Oginskiai family, yet it is famous not for the palace or church, but the three gates. Whatever road a visitor takes to Darsūniškis, he will be welcomed by the historic gate of the town:

The Gate of St. Agatha

History of the Gate

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Gate of St. Casimir

The Gate of St. George

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ŽIEŽMARIAI once belonged to the counts Tiškevičiai. Owner of Raudondvaris Benediktas Tiškevičius commissioned Italian architect Cesare Anichini to design the Žiežmariai Palace. Several buildings which belonged to the palace remained in the cosy town of Žiežmariai. We did not manage to explore everything we had planned in Žiežmariai, therefore, our story about architectural peculiarities of this town is continued in the next photo gallery:

The Palace of Žiežmariai

The Palace of the Tyshkevich family in Žiežmariai

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Household buildings of the Palace Tyshkevich family

 

 

 

The Old Mill

 

 

 

 

 

 
back