Stelmužė manor is known since mid-16th century. Supposedly, before manor here was a castle. Although manor palace did not survived to our days, in one most interesting Aukštaitija region villages there are remains that witness boiling life in former manor. Manor, centuries back used to be flourishing in protestant environment, even today attracts groups of visitors from Lithuania and abroad. Visitors are coming to Stelmužė to see unique in Lithuania natural and architectural monuments.

Main accent of Stelmužė manor architectural complex – unique Lord Christ Cross church. Completed in 1650 as a chapel for local protestants, – for hundreds of years Stelmužė was part of Kuršas duchy, which was in a territory of nowadays Latvia – church is one of the oldest survived wooden sacred architecture monuments.

Church was built using a saw and an axe exclusively with only few metal nails were used. Church’s interior is exclusively valuable: unique indoor interior is especially valuable: skillful craftsmen from Latvia carved elegant garlands connecting altar and pulpit, artfully carved oak leaves, bunches of grapes, cones, flower blossoms. Pure joy for vision, while studying decoration elements of hundreds years old.

Without getting to know about this architectural masterpiece, museum of ecclesial art also organizes various educational activities: youngest visitors can get familiar about all saints; to listen compositions for organs that were written hundreds years ago and whole family after excursion can participate in creative education during which they will have a chance to create unique symbol of Stelmužė and return home with a little gift. In bell tower nearby works another museum exposition on the history of manor.

In same manor park the mighty Stelmužė oak is seen. Usually oaks live 400 – 500, but this wide-branched elder live them over few times. Being of almost two thousand years old, the oak is one of oldest trees in Europe and certainly the oldest one in Baltic states. Oak trunk, which requires ten men to embrace, is twice thicker than trunk of any other tree in Lithuania.

Another impressive natural miracle that is found in Stelmužė – Lyguma stone. Story has it, that it was dropped here by devil who wanted to drop stone on church but missed his way, slipped and the dawn had break soon. So from then on this 8 meters length giant lies here. Supposedly, underground is bigger part of stone so it might be even larger than Puntukas stone (the second-largest boulder in Lithuania).

Manor park is interesting not only with church and oak at the first look, but smaller objects as well. They are inherent part of manor history and are worth to visit. While walking through park full of various types of woods, visitors may take a look at the mausoleum of Valuevs family, members of whom ruled Stelmužė during the XIXth century. It is worth to mention one of the most prominent members of Valuevs – Pyotr Nykolaevich, who in seventies of XIXth century was the Minister of Interior Affairs of the Russian Empire. During wars mausoleum was badly damaged so it was decided to relocate remains to dungeons of church where now visitors are allowed to enter and see it.

Devastating humankind periods did not bypass these lands. Besides such peaceful rituals as a nursed holy fire by pagan priests, Stelmužė saw Napoleon’s army and the atrocities of WWI. There are few WWI german soldiers buried in the park.

However, besides these calamity stories, Stelmužė park can offer positive emotions too: downhill visitors will discover the Well of luck or will walk through alley of oaks where every of them is dedicated to one of notable Lithuanian historical person. Special plates with information will tell about their deeds.

In the distance of park stays Vergų tower (Tower of Slaves), a unique building probably in some time used for incarcerating of serfs, erected on the lakeshore in XVIIIth century. Building with 75 centimeters of wall thickness – witness of Folkersambs and Valuevs cruel behavior with serfs.

Stelmužė waits visitors to dive into vortex of ancient legends and true stories. Comfortable for the modern day visiting infrastructure is easily accessible for everyone. Manor offers possibilities to get to know with one of the most valuable objects of Zarasai region cultural heritage.