Ukmergė combines a medieval castle site and well-preserved urban history with several routes that differ in length and use. This gives you the option to focus on different things when planning your trip: architecture and the museum, the city festival, or walks along the Šventoji and circular trails.
Castle Hill, Old Town and Architectural History
Ukmergės piliakalnis is in the city centre, on the right bank of the Šventoji and the left bank of the Vilkmergės upelis. The medieval castle site dates from the 14th century to the mid-15th century. Vilkmergės pilis castle has been mentioned since 1333 and was an important defensive structure. The hill has an illuminated, metal-structure switchback path adapted for people with mobility impairments.
Pilies Park is on a castle hill where a masonry fortress was built in the 15th century. Three illuminated viewpoints offer views of Ukmergė. The park’s walking paths have been renovated, a children’s playground has been added, and outdoor musical instruments have been installed. The Old Town is a well-preserved urban monument from the 19th and early 20th centuries; numerous characteristic buildings recall this period.
The churches also display a range of architectural styles. The Church of the Holy Trinity, built in 1868, is a brick building in the Neo-Byzantine style and is now used as a Catholic church. The Church of St. Peter and St. Paul combines Neoclassical, Neo-Romanesque and Neo-Baroque elements. The old fire station tower is 18 metres high and was built at the beginning of the ninth decade of the 19th century. The hands of the city clock and the stainless-steel symbols of Baltic gods representing the hours are illuminated, making the clock visible after dark as well.
Museum, Miniature Park and City Festival
The Ukmergės kraštotyros muziejus local history museum presents a chronology of regional history through exhibits on natural history, archaeology, history, ethnography, written culture and art. It was formally opened on 6 May 1944; the permanent exhibitions were renewed in 2021. Individual exhibitions may change.
At the “Mini Lietuva” miniature park, you can see carefully recreated miniatures of important Lithuanian architectural and cultural monuments. The concept invites you to discover all of Lithuania in a single day. The park occupies the 1.65-hectare site of a former military settlement; it has paths, benches, sports facilities and children’s playgrounds. The former Great Synagogue of Ukmergė is also part of the city’s history: it was an important spiritual, cultural and community centre. First mentioned in 1721, it is thought that the kahal and synagogue had already been in operation since the late 17th century. From 1851, it was converted into a brick building combining Baroque and Classical design elements.
The city festival is held every year to celebrate the city’s birthday. The programme includes theatrical processions, concerts, sporting competitions, other events and entertainment, as well as a craft market. Details vary from year to year. If you would like to plan your trip around the festival, check the dates and the programme for that year.
Routes by Length and Character
The illuminated Podolės Kameneco takas is an 800-metre cycling and walking path along the Šventoji, between Vilniaus and Jono Basanavičiaus streets. The route has a water point, benches and a children’s playground. Mirabelių takas is a one-kilometre walking path on the right bank of the Šventoji, with access to the river; it also has a children’s playground, rest areas and picnic spots.
Pivonijos šilo sveikatingumo takas offers a different kind of route: two wide circular trails with natural surfaces, measuring 1.65 and 1.80 kilometres. They are suitable for sports, cycling, leisurely walks and resting on a bench in the shade of the trees. To choose between them, you can compare the route lengths, circular format and intended uses, from the 800-metre cycling and walking path to the two longer circular trails.
Choosing a Hotel Based on Your Travel Interests
If you’re looking for a hotel in Ukmergė, first decide which aspects of the city you want to shape your stay. For city history, the castle hill, Old Town, churches and museum offer different points of interest; for outdoor activities, there are routes with different lengths and uses. When choosing a hotel, consider its specific location in relation to the places you’d like to visit, and plan your stay around the interests that matter most to you.
Discover more destinations: Taujėnai, Lėnas.
Return to the main travel overview: Ukmergė District Municipality.
