Daunoravos manor

Daunoravos manor was built in the XVIII - XIX century. The estate consisted of 17 buildings, but till today survived only 3 buildings. Manor is abandoned. It is believed that his first owner was Baron von Frank, who lived in Riga. He stayed in Daunoravos mansion only during summer. As many Lithuanian manors, the estate suffered the most during the war not only from an act of war damage but also because the Soviet government used great historical buildings for military needs. When Soviet Union in 1940 occupied Lithuania mansion was transformed into a Russian barracks. After World War II mansion became abandoned.

It is very disappointing that long unattended mansion almost disappeared. The middle section of the building is caved, windows are planked. Currently, the residential part of estate building is the residence of the homeless.

Jakiškių manor

Jakiškiai manor was built in the sixteenth century. Last duke of the estate was a German nobleman J. Koškolis. In 1898 he built manor with classical features which remained till now. During World War II in the estate there was established Russian captives camp and then the manor devastation began. After the war, in the manor was open agricultural mechanization school, and later - retirement homes. An interesting fact is that Jakiškiai Manor was no different from other estates and there was no information about manor till the First World War. The only lingering memory - when Jonas Kaškolis carried food to his manor and he was caught by policeman and ordered to pay a fine of 400 rubles.

In 2005 mansion was bought by Meilė Zaleckienė. She extensively renovated the manor: changed manors roof, cleaned up the surroundings. Every year concerts and exhibitions are held here. The mansion is now called "Love manor" because of its cozy and warm atmosphere.

Žagarės esker

In Žagarė we can find everything what nature skimped Žiemgaliai (Balts tribe) land – mountain range with Žvelgaitis and Raktuvė mounds, Švėtė River Valley, quarries shaped artificial water bodies, large areas of forest, park and estate, there is also Žagarė esker, which starts in Latvia and ends in Lithuanian territory. Total length of Esker - around 50 km, but it may consist of separate parts. Žagarė Eslers’ length in Lithuania is 17 km. In 1964 territory on both sides of the Esker was declared as natural geological monument. Žagarės esker is the longest and most impressive of all eskers in Lithuania. This esker is regarded as perhaps one of the largest in the Baltic countries. Interestingly, since 1955 in the esker territory there was discovered gravel which was used for urban construction. Due to this fact Soviet government destroyed Montoriškės and now we can no longer see the whole.

Ann Wigmore homeland in Kruopiai

Ann Wigmore (Ona Varapickaitė) was born in 1909 in village of Pleikiai, district of Kruopiai. In 1922 at the age of thirteen Ann rejoined her parents in the USA. After marriage she became Ann Wigmore. Later was natuuralized and lived in the United States unti her death on 16 February 1994.

Ann Wigmore is known as a pioneering healer and holistic health care practitioner who dedicated her life to teaching others about achieving and maintaining optimum physical wellness and mental health with living foods, sprouting and wheatgrass. Ann Wigmores‘ philosophy centered around Hippocrates‘ main principle „Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food.“ This became basis of her Hippocrates Health Program which she taught at her Hippocrates Health Institute that was established in 1963. Through her passion and commitment, she published several books about utilizing weatgrass, sprouting and living foods to achieve optimum health and taught this message in more than 35 countries around the world. Her dedication and hard work brought her worldwide recognition.

While visiting her homeland we talked with several people living there – all claimed that they know Ann Wigmores’ merits. In her honor town organizes celebrations and seminars, there is also two monuments built for her.

Kings Hill in Linartai

Kings Hill is located in Kurtuvėnai Regional Park area, near the Linartai and is recognized because of extremely steep slope. In order to climb to the top you will have to work hard, but after climbing a spectacular view of the park and lake becomes visible. Hill got Kings name because there is evidence that top of the Hill was reached by dukes Gediminas and Vytautas. It is argued that the mountain was formed during the last ice age.

Medžiokalnis

Medžiokalnis hill is lower than the Kings Hill and its slopes are flatter, covered with solid oak trees.

Medžiokalnis is wrapped in legends and stories. The apparent sacred oak tree - from under the roots holy water emerges near you could find holy fire and statue of the Medeinė gooddess. According to folklorist L. Jucevičiaus who wrote in 1874 from the mountain gone dungeons to Kražiai and Linkaučiai. In the territory around this hill genetelmen used to hunt and ride horses. This is where the name comes from. Here rested King Žygimantas Augustas, dukes Kęsgaila, Radvilos, Chodkevičiai.

Today Medžiokalnis is a favorite gathering place for young people from Kražiai. Midsummer is celebrated here every year.