Tytuvėnai

Tytuvėnai is a town in the Samogitia region of Lithuania, with a population of 1805 in 2021. The main reason to visit is its monastery and associated churches.

Get in

Tytuvėnai is 110 km north of Kaunas: follow A1 then turn off onto Highway 146 past Raseiniai. From Šiauliai follow Highway 2105 south for 45 km. In blizzards or coming from Klaipėda, instead take A12 to Kelmė then Highway 157 for 12 km east.

Three buses a day run from Kaunas, taking about two hours, and four run from Šiauliai, taking 75 min. For times and fares see Autobusu Bilieitai.

1 Tytuvėnai bus station is in town centre.

Trains towards Šiauliai rumble past west of town but don't stop here.

Get around

The town is walkable, but you need wheels for the lakes and outlying sights.

See

• 1 Tytuvenai Monastery, Maironio g 2. This Bernadine monastery was mostly complete by 1633, with its courtyard added in the 1770s. The monastery has disbanded but the Church of Our Lady of the Angels (Švč Mergelės Marijos bažnyčia) is still in use. Opening hours are erratic. "Kavanska" church is also within the grounds. (updated Feb 2024)
• Christ Stairs Chapel (Kristaus laiptų koplyčia), completed in 1778, is also within the monastery complex. This has "Holy Stairs": each stone step contained a holy relic, and pilgrims ascended on their knees chanting prayers on each step. After suitable circumambulations, genuflections and devotions in the chapel, they descended separate stairs in a comparatively normal gait, gladdened by having gained an "indulgence", time off their future spell in purgatory. The Soviets raged against this flummery in much the same terms as Martin Luther had.
• Chapel Mausoleum (Kristaus Gelbėtojo koplyčia) is on Kaštonų g, 100 m north of the bus station. It was built in 1853 and contains various local bigwigs.
• Bridvaišis mound at the north end of Bridvaišis lake is about the flattest, most indistinct prehistoric mound you'll find anywhere.
• 2 Holocaust Memorial recalls events of Aug 1941 under German occupation. The town's Jewish population of 200+ were taken away in groups to the forest and shot.
• 3 Forest Museum (Miško muziejus) is a traditional wooden cottage by Gilius Lake. Not much within except stuffed animals.
• 4 Observation Tower (Apžvalgos bokštas) is a 15 m metal tower which you can climb to a lookout deck, free 24 hours.
• 5 Pagryžuvis Manor is a private residence, with a new owner from 2023. For the time being you can still stroll in the overgrown park but the owner's intentions are not yet known.

Do

Church and monastery in Tytuvėnai

• The four nearby lakes are pleasant summer spots for swimming, kayaking and fishing.

Buy

• Maxima supermarket is just south of the bus station, open daily 08:00-22:00.

Eat

• Piero Pizzeria is at J Basanavičiaus g 13 by Maxima supermarket, open F-Su 11:00-20:00.
• Grill Baras is southwest edge of town at Pievų g 38, open M-Th 11:00-21:00, F-Su 11:00-22:00.

Drink

No stand-alone bars, try the restaurants or hotels.

Sleep

Christ Stairs Chapel

• Žara, Maironio g 2 (next to monastery), ☏ +370 610 62216. Cosy friendly small place in town centre. B&B double €50. (updated Feb 2024)
• 1 Samana, Taikos g 2, ☏ +370 690 99111. It's seen better days. (updated Feb 2024)
• 2 Sedula, Sedulos g 38, ☏ +370 682 46498. Comfy upscale place by the lake 2 km southeast of town. B&B double €140. (updated Feb 2024)

Connect

As of Feb 2024, Tytuvėnai and its approach roads have 4G from Bite and Tele2, but no signal from Telia. 5G has not yet reached town.

Go next

• Šiluva is a village 9 km south on the road to Raseiniai and Kaunas. Its church is a major pilgrimage site.
• Šiauliai to the north is near the Hill of Crosses.