School of Upninkai

UPNINKAI

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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

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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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Perelozai. Perelozai The Church of the Holy Cross in Perelozai 

Upninkai

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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

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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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Saleninkai

Upninkai

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Saleninkai – Upninkai ward village located on the right bank of river Neris. It is the motherland of a famous book smuggler, fighter for independence, volunteer, riflemen squad founder Justinas Vareikis.

Village name derives from some islands located in river Neris. It is a traditional anglers’ village.

In 1902 – inhabited by 409 people, 1923 – 157, 1970 – 99, 1979 – 62, 2001 – 31.

Saleninkai – a village of cutting structure. Houses made with traditional plans, building and decorating. It is the only village in the region, where old homesteads are turned to the river.

Archaeologists have discovered Stone Age traces of Saleninkai village. Next to Saleninkai – not far away from the Neris River – there is mythological Pailgupis rock.

In 2009, Julija Gruodienė and Rimantas Gruodis created a documentary movie “Upė” (eng. River) about Saleninkai village. This movie one the documentary of the year award in Lithuania’s cinematography union award ceremony. This movie was evaluated well in 2009 Florence festival “Dei Popoli” – it attracted audience attention.

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Rimkai Church of the Nativity of the Mother of God

Kulva

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Kulva, A. Kulvietis School Museum

Kulva

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Volunteer memorial

Kulva

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Bell Tower

Kulva

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Kulva Daunoravičiai chapel

Kulva

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