Around Verduliukai, travel themes range from moorland and wetland landscapes to Lake Rėkyva and manor house history. Each offers a different focus: the habitats and species of the moorland, activities on the lake, and historic buildings and village connections.
Moorland, habitats and the Vijolė
According to a 2021 assessment by the State Service for Protected Areas, the part of “Rėkyvos pelkė” that includes Verduliukai covers 1,772.35 hectares. A part of “Rėkyvos pelkė” that lies outside the Rėkyvos Botanical-Zoological Reserve also extends across the territory of Verduliukai. Nearby, the Rėkyvos Botanical-Zoological Reserve protects the moorland and wetland complex around Lake Rėkyva, with its characteristic flora and fauna.
The part of “Rėkyvos pelkė” that includes Verduliukai contains four habitat types of Community importance. These include degraded raised bogs (7120; 49.87 hectares) and transition mires and quaking bogs (7140; 4.87 hectares). There are also bog woodland with broad-leaved trees (9080; 5.87 hectares) and bog woodland (91D0; 33.52 hectares). The different names show that several types of moorland habitat are relevant here.
The protected pond bat (Myotis dasycneme; 7.47 hectares) and the large white-faced darter (Leucorrhinia pectoralis; 1,198.44 hectares) occur in this part of the area. Both are listed in Annex II of Directive 92/43/EEC of 21 May 1992. For nature enthusiasts, the area’s distinctive wildlife is another point of interest alongside its moorlands.
The Vijolė River rises in the Lake Rėkyva area; the Verduliukų aukštapelkė raised bog is also located there and is designated as the source area of the Vijolė. From Verduliukai, the river flows north towards Tilžės gatvė and joins the Kulpė at Sutkūnai. These waterways give the landscape its own geographical connections.
Lake Rėkyva: beach, views and water sports
Lake Rėkyva, Lithuania’s tenth-largest lake, lies near Verduliukai. Kitesurfing takes place on the lake, and two yacht clubs operate on its shore. A sandy beach offers another reason to spend time by the water. The different details each have their own focus: water sports, the beach and views of the lake are all distinct topics to consider when planning a trip.
There is also a wooden bridge with an observation platform by Lake Rėkyva near Verduliukai. For those looking beyond water sports and the beach, this viewpoint is another specific place to visit by the lake. The forests and moors around Lake Rėkyva also attract many berry and mushroom pickers, so leisure activities extend beyond the shore into the surrounding landscapes.
Manor house history and historic village connections
The history of the Rėkyva manor estate near Verduliukai dates back to 1605. Visitors can see authentic architectural details and learn about the Karpiai family and local history. The estate includes farm buildings and a partly preserved park with old avenues. It also includes a reconstructed former blacksmith’s chapel dating from 1935.
The Rėkyva Cultural Centre is also connected with the former manor estate: it is located on the estate grounds, and its main hall is housed in a former manor farm building. Thus, local history focuses both on the use of former manor buildings and on the architectural forms that have been preserved. The years 1605 and 1935 mark different historical reference points for the estate.
The cycle tour “Pietinio kronikos prieš 100 metų” offers another perspective on historic places south of Šiauliai. It includes Verduliukai as one of these historic villages. The route follows roads and paths, with both paved and gravel sections. This gives the tour a distinct focus on village history and route conditions, alongside the themes of the lake, moorland and manor estate.
Discover more destinations: Lieporiai, Bubių seniūnija, Kurtuvėnai.
For the broader travel overview: Šiaulių rajono savivaldybė.
