Lake Dusia and its surroundings

This interactive exhibition of glass walls in a building on the shores of Dusia Lake will surprise most visitors. There is plenty for both adults and children to do here, but to discover what is rare and valuable, you will have to open the drawers and doors, or look into the tree hollows. You can also plan a trip, learn about the life of pond turtles, book a tour or rent a bicycle, canoe or paddle board here. Powerful optical equipment allows you to observe the landscape around Dusia Lake and the birds floating on the lake’s surface.

 Diocesan Cross Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Our Lady of the Rosary is a Catholic sanctuary located on the southern shore of Dusia Lake. People say that after praying in front of the image of God’s mother in the chapel, one can be miraculously cured from all kinds of diseases. As in the old days, celebrations of the Pentecost, Peter and Octova take place here, attracting thousands of pilgrims.

This is one of the largest and most impressive mounds in Meteliai Regional Park, located on the western shore of Dusia Lake. A very long time ago, the Yotvingians built a settlement at the foot of the mound and a well-fortified wooden castle on its top. The Prelomciškė Mound offers visitors spectacular panoramic view toward Dusia Lake. Every July, the Oninės Festival takes place here.

Meteliai was first mentioned in documents from 1508. The first church of Meteliai was built in 1619 by Povilas Sapiega, but in 1655 it was burned by the Russian army. A wooden church was then built in 1711 but it was also burned in 1807, this time because it was hit by lightning. The New Church of Meteliai, built in 1822, has Classic and Neo-Baroque features. The church also houses valuable paintings that were created at the end of the 17th century.

The oldest oak forest in Meteliai Regional Park grows in Širvintas, and is over 300 years old. The Great Oak of Širvintas is a giant tree of an exceptional age and size: 400 years old, 31 metres tall and 5 metres wide. Another spectacular oak tree, the Hollowed Oak of Širvintas, can be found nearby.

The Hollowed Oak of Širvintas is 400 years old, with a height of 29 metres and a girth of 4.4 metres. In the surrounding area, there is another impressive oak – the Great Oak of Širvintas – located in the oldest oak tree forest in Meteliai Regional Park, which dates back over 300 years.