Kuršėnai brings together a manor house with preserved wooden architecture, regional collections and hands-on craft experiences with ceramics. A culinary specialty is Kuršėnų vyniotinis. There is also a focus on the Venta: a pedestrian bridge, walking paths and a landscaped riverside area. When planning your trip, the main options are culture and crafts on the one hand, and paths and time by the water on the other. You can choose according to the mix of history, hands-on activities and time outdoors that you want.

Manor House and Regional Exhibitions

The Kuršėnai manor house is considered the most valuable surviving example of wooden manor-house architecture in Šiauliai District. Authentic staircases, window frames and wooden exterior doors have been preserved; these features make the timber construction easy to appreciate. The manor house’s history dates back to 1564.

The Šiauliai District Municipality’s Centre for Ethnic Culture and Traditional Crafts operates in the manor house. It has permanent exhibitions on the folk art and ethnography of the Šiauliai region, with more than 2,500 exhibits. Visitor arrangements for the centre and exhibitions may change; check the current conditions in advance.

Kuršėnų vyniotinis and Ceramic Traditions

Kuršėnų vyniotinis is the town’s signature product. Tastings introduce visitors to its history and origins; the centre also offers a combined tasting and cooking activity focused on the traditional Kuršėnų vyniotinis specialty and how it is made. Advance booking may be required for tastings, cooking activities and ceramics experiences.

Ceramics are another focus of local crafts. In workshops, participants shape and decorate clay objects and learn basic ceramic techniques. The centre also offers an individual session at the potter’s wheel. You can therefore choose between a workshop covering several basic techniques and an individual pottery-wheel experience.

Ceramics history also has some notable milestones: in 1971, Kuršėnai was recognised as the capital of Lithuanian folk ceramics at a craft festival. Since 1977, Lithuania’s King of Potters has been elected in Kuršėnai every three years. The recognition and the recurring election represent different aspects of the ceramic tradition. Check the dates of individual events before travelling.

Pedestrian Bridge and the Venta Riverside

A 262-metre-long pedestrian bridge connects Laurynas Ivinskis Square with the park of the Kuršėnai manor house. The bridge provides access to the restored Gruževskių manor house, the Šiauliai District Municipality Cultural Centre and the old town park. It also serves as a viewpoint overlooking the Venta and the panoramas of Kuršėnai.

Walking paths have been laid out on the right bank of the Venta near the bridge. The riverside area also includes a pier, a swimming area, an outdoor terrace and landscaped green space. The riverbank thus offers both paths and places to spend time outdoors. Swimming conditions may vary depending on the season.

Discover more destinations: Meškuičiai, Margiai, Kelmė, Šiaulių kaimiškoji seniūnija, Šiauliai, Bubiai, Gaugariai, Radviliškis

For the broader travel overview: Šiauliai District.