Žemaitija: the old and authentic Lithuania

Unique cultural and historical heritage

An 8-day trip

Interested in the ancient Lithuania, her traditional culure and would like to experience different customs in an active manner? Then you should certainly visit Žemaitija.

Žemaitija is attractive for its special beauty, language use, traditions and history. Our trip offers you the opportunity to visit this still authentic part of the country.

Žemaitija is the western part of Lithuania. The name of the region refers to the lowlands stretching along both sides of the river Nevėžis. The inhabitants of the region came thus to be called žemaičiai (lowlanders).

For more than two hundred years Žemaitija played a central role in Lithuania's wars against the crusading order of the Teutonic Knights. The inhabitants of Žemaitija were also the last to accept Christianity. In different places (somtimes restored) remains of the old defenses and strongholds can be found.

The main distinguishing feature of žemaičiai is their manners of speech. Their dialect is one of the two major speech patterns of the Lithuanian language. Until fairly recent times their manners of dress and living habits also set them apart from the rest of the country. The women favoured bright colours, wide striping divided into checks, and fancy scarves.

The folk architecture of the villages and authentic farmsteads of Žemaitija can still be found in town Plateliai, situated in the national park. Plateliai holds authentic streets, traditional landscape, wooden churches and one of the oldest graveyard in Lithuania.

Žemaitija is famous for its Užgavėnes masquerades when groups of both children and grown-ups, disguised as animals, birds, and fantastic beasts can be seen roaming the streets of villages and towns. Žemaitija is also famous for its woodcarvers specialising in masks for the Užgavėnes carnivals.