Gegutės village

UPNINKAI

About object:

The village of Gegutės is located in the southeast of Jonava district municipality, on the right bank of the Neris River. It lies on the picturesque loops of the Lietava River.

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Powerfull oaks

UPNINKAI

About project:

The mighty oak trees on the right bank of the River Neris in front of the village of Gegužinė, which date back more than 300-400 years in Lithuanian history. As the old people used to tell us, they were the camp of Napoleon’s army retreating from Moscow after its defeat. The old road from Vilnius to Kaunas used to pass through these oaks.

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School of Upninkai

UPNINKAI

About object:

In the second half of the 18th century, there was a parish primary school in Upninkai. Historical sources indicate that in 1777 – 19 students studied in there, in 1781 –  4, in 1782 – 19, in 1809 – 10, in 1812 – 16.

In 1782, the school did not have a separate building. The organist in his apartment taught the children to read and write. After 1861–1863, the Lithuanian parish primary school in Upninkai was closed. Children were taught in Lithuanian by secret teachers.The Tsarist Primary School in Upninkai was opened in 1900. In 1937, there was a primary school in Upninkai. It had four sections. In 1949–1950, Upninkai Primary School became a seven-year-old (progymnasium).

With the rapid growth of the settlement, a new school building was built and an eight-year school was established (1964–1965). In 1981, the school had 269 students. In1986 the institution became an incomplete secondary school, and since September 1, 1987, it was reorganized into Upninkai Secondary School.

In 1988-1989 the school had 268 students. In 1990, the first graduation program was published. Since 1993, The Scout Society “Lietava” operated at the school and art education was strengthened. The institution participated in the activities of the Lithuanian Club of Initiative Schools, was famous for young writers, naturalists, artists and athletes.

On September 1, 2001, although the secondary school was reorganized into Upninkai Lower Secondary School, but successfully continued the traditions of the secondary school, participated in the activities of the club of quality-oriented educational institutions.

In 2001, the school had 203 students. On June 15, 2002, the 225th anniversary of the school in Upninkai was solemnly commemorated. The school history museum was opened on this occasion.

In 2012, school renovation completed. In 2013, Upninkai kindergarten was connected to Upninkai lower secondary school. In 2019, the institution was reorganized into the Upninkai branch of Jonava Lietava Lower Secondary School.

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Upninkai St. Archangel Michael‘s church 

Upininkai

About object:

Upninkai St. Archangel Michael church is not in the central settlement of present-day Upninkai, but in the territory of the old Upninkai.

The first church in Upninkai was built around 1477 by Radvilas Astikas. In the second half of the 16th century and the first half of 17th century – a reformation church was functioning here.  In 1650, the owner of Upninkai manor Jurgis Gruzevskis was determined to build a new church.

The sanctuary built by Gruzevskis lasted 99 years. In 1750 St. St. Archangel Michael‘s church was renovated. 1781 the parish consisted of 2341 believers. There was a parish school in the town, where in 1782 there were 19 students.

In the beginning of the 19th century, a fire destroyed almost the entire town and church. Prior to the restoration of the house of prayer, worship services were held in the chapel in the rectory. After 1831, the Tsarist government shut it down. Upninkai Church lost parish rights in 1845. They were restored only around 1924.

The development of Upninkai churches shows that its period of prosperity was in the 18th century. The Baroque style prevailed in the field of art. That became clear in Upninkai wooden church in 1734. The church was formed by two towers on the main facade and a bell tower in the middle of the roof. Several fires (1807, 1842) destroyed the old architecture.

The current brick church, donated to the believers by the landowners Paskevičiai, is in a stone warehouse built of stone. Later, brick chapels and extensions of the wooden sacristy were erected. The current image of the church was acquired in 1907–1911, when a peculiar style was formed. The decorative design of the church was based on folk building traditions, complementing elements of modernism. The interior of the sanctuary was decorated with valuable works of sacred art that have survived from the former house of prayer. Every autumn, Upninkai Church hosts the famous St. Michael’s concessions, which attract many locals and guests.

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Napoleon’s oak tree

Upninkai

About object:

Napoleon oak tree grows in Jonava region, Upninkai war, near the Neris and Vegele rivers. It is announced to be local nature monument.

The tree trunk is 4.7 meters; tree itself is about 20 meters high. According to locals, Napoleon rested under this oak tree.

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Šventoji ichthyologic reservation

Upninkai

About object:

Šventoji State Ichtiological Reserve is located in the territories of Anyksčiai, Ukmergė and Jonava municipalities. It starts from Kavarskas (Anyksčiai district) and continues 67 km to the confluence of Neris and Šventoji rivers (Jonava district).

The area of the protected area is 1153 ha.

Šventoji Ichtiological Reserve was established in 1974 to preserve the spawning grounds of salmon, sea trout, trout and tench. The relief of this area is also protected.

The Upninkai State Botanical Reserve has been established on the right bank of Šventoji River to preserve the habitats of rare plant species and their communities.

The protected area covers an area of 101 ha. Šventoji is the longest river in Lithuania, which flows from its source to its mouth only through the territory of Lithuania (246 km).

In Jonava region, Upninkai ward, it flows into the Neris river. Šventoji is one of the most beautiful rivers in Lithuania. Particularly picturesque valleys, impressive steep outcrops in the lower reaches of the river. The river and its valley are suitable for recreation and water tourism.

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Padaigai mound (Smailiakalnis)

UPNINKAI

About object:

Padaigai hill fort is in Jonava region, Upninkai ward, Padaigai village.

The hill fort is located on a hill on the edge of the valley on the right bank of river Neris. Height – 15 m. The hill fort was used in the 1st millennium.

In 1971, the hill fort was explored by the Institute of History.

By the resolution of the Government of the Republic of Lithuania, Padaigi hill fort was declared a cultural monument (1998). The area of the monument is 0.5 ha. The environment of the hill fort is tidy.

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Dubiai mound

Upninkai

About object:

Other names – Batarėja, Užupiai. Dubiai mound is in Jonava region, Upninkai ward, on the right bank of the Sventoji river, just below the confluence with Sirvinta River.

Its height is 14 m. The hill fort was used in the second half of the 1st millennium and at the beginning of the 2nd millennium.

In 1971, the hill fort was explored by the Institute of History. There are many other archaeological monuments in its vicinity, which shows that in the past these areas were densely populated.

By the resolution of the Government of the Republic of Lithuania, Dubiai hill fort was declared a cultural monument (1998). The area of the monument is 0.8 ha. The hill fort and its surroundings have been arranged.

Stairs were installed. The coronation day of King Mindaugas is traditionally commemorated on the Dubiai hill fort.

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Perelozai. Perelozai The Church of the Holy Cross in Perelozai 

Upninkai

About object:

Perelozai – village in Jonava region, Upninkai ward, next to Lietava River.

Here in XVIII-XIX centuries a big orthodox community was established. In XVIII – parish was established. In the beginning of the XX century – there were 500 believers, in 1937 – 793, in 1949 – 850.

In 1984, the parish stopped functioning. It is thought that in 1827 – Perelozai church has a communal house. Village belonged to Vilnius district. In 1886, a church school was opened. Later, a primary school was functioning here up until 1971.

In 1795 there were 84 people living in Perelozai village. 1903 – 212, 1923 – 225.

Currently there are no residents in this village, but the church remains. In 1905, a wooden church of the Perelozai Lords Cross was built on a stone foundation. It is one of the most beautiful houses of prayer not only in Jonava region, but also in the whole of Lithuania – the church stands out in the ancient Russian style. It is characterized by exclusive interior and exterior decoration. Although the village is no longer inhabited, the church is revived thanks to the members of the Perelozai community who previously lived here. Renovated house of prayer. Well-groomed environment. Services are held periodically in the church.

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Vyšnialaukis

Upninkai

About object:

Vyšnialaukis – settlement in Upninkai ward. Located approximately 15 km southeast from Jonava city, next to Lietava River. This village is the hometown of Vladas Česiūnas – 1972 Munich Olympic medallist, 4 times world champion (1973, 1974, 1974, and 1975).

In 1992, right next to Vyšnialaukis the Lietava State Hydrographic Reserve was established in order to preserve the natural section of the Lietava streambed and the hydrological regime.

Vyšnialaukis is an example of ethnocultural revival. The rural community located in it organizes cultural events, educational events and local community gatherings.

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