The name Juodšiliai is associated with the dense coniferous forests surrounding the settlement. There are also distinct historical themes: its railway past, the Ursulines’ work, and the history of the school and village. If you are looking for a holiday apartment in Juodšiliai, this mix can help you decide where to stay: would you like to focus on the forest, religious and social history, or the history of the school and area?

Forest and geographical orientation

The Rudaminėlė, a tributary of the Vokė, runs along the northwestern edge of Juodšiliai Eldership. This adds another geographical dimension to the interpretation of the name: coniferous forests surround the settlement, while the river marks an edge of the administrative area. This distinction is useful for understanding the geography: the reference to the forest describes the settlement’s surroundings, while the reference to the river describes the edge of the eldership.

Railway and local history

During the First World War, a railway was built through the forest where Juodšiliai now stands. Until 1920, the railway station in Juodšiliai was called Reslerava; in the same year, a monastery began operating in the area and remained open until 1939. The year 1920 therefore marks a transition between two distinct chapters: the former station name and the history of the monastery.

The Ursulines and places of remembrance

The Ursuline home operated from 1924 to 1946, caring for orphans and children in need. Its period of operation overlapped with that of the monastery, which ran from 1920 to 1939, and continued beyond the monastery’s closure. Eleven nuns and the priest Ignas Mickevičius are buried in the former Ursuline cemetery. A memorial plaque commemorating those buried there was unveiled and blessed in June 2008. Another plaque at 16 Sodų Street marks the house where the Ursulines hid the priest Mykolas Sopočka during the Second World War. The cemetery and the address thus represent different aspects of local memory: burials on the one hand, and help for a priest during the war on the other.

School museum and community life

The school museum opened in 2007 at 20 Mokyklos Street. Its exhibits include materials about St Urszula Ledochowska, a guest book, commemorative gifts, the history of the village, and the school chronicle. The history of the school and village thus adds its own perspective to the religious and social chapters. If you are planning a museum visit, check the current opening hours in advance.

The parish house next to the church has rooms for meetings, social gatherings, and welcoming guests. Events and celebrations are organized in the parish house and in the square beside it. The area therefore has a community hub as well as historic places of remembrance. If you are interested in an event, check the specific dates in advance.

Discover more destinations: Madžiūnai, Karvys, Žydkaimis, Vievis, Švenčionys, Žuklijai, Vilnius, Aluona

For the broader travel guide: Vilnius District.