Pavilniai Regional Park is located in the
valley of river Vilnia in Vilnius. Park was established in
1992. Its area includes 2127 ha. The valley is delighting
with its spectacular landscape, abstruse and variegated slopes.
It was accredited to be included into list of
valuable nature objects revealing ecological and cultural
heritage. There are many wild fauna and flora
species that are protected by European Wild Nature and
Environment Safety Convention. In addition
to this, the Pavilniai Regional
Park includes objects of historical
heritage.
One of the most important peculiarities of the park is
the quite large differences of relative heights (up to 100
m) and the incomparable variety of their forms. The most
attractive feature of Pavilniai park is its
erosion hill chain, as well as its flora. There are more
than half (more than 750) of Lithuanian species of flora;
quite a number of rare plants. Some places are
available that even reminds of the depth of the gloomy forest.
To begin with, Pavilniai Regional
Park is worth visiting because of
breathtaking natural monuments that have been forming
there during ages. One of the most incredible is an
exposure of Puckoriai sometimes called the pearl of Vilnia
valley. It is the highest and the most impressive exposure in
Lithuania of 65 m height and 260 m width. The exposure was
formed by moving ice-field. In fact, the exposure
is still being formed by snow, rain, wind and other
natural forces. The exposure is well attended by
professional geologists as it reveals clods of the most interesting
geological periods. Despite the fact that it is
very important for scientific research, the
Puckoriai exposure opens a dreamy landscape both from its
top and its bottom. That’s why it is well attended
by scientists as well as by tourists. The Lower Vilnia is
more than 60 m deep. Vilnia streams there like it was a mountain
brook. The exposure can be easily reached by car or by
bus.
Another part of the park – the Markuciai preserve –
is a very attractive and rich piece of nature. There are plenty of
springs and oaks. In the preserve the A. Pushkin’s Museum is
located – an old wooden construction erected in
1867. The poet himself never visited this place, but his relatives
used to walk throughout these outskirts. In ancient times,
Markuciai oak tree forest was the summer place of the Dukes of
Lithuania.
The Pavilniai Regional Park includes
many reserves – botanical, geomorphologic, and hill landscape
reserves. The reserves are all unique revealing different natural
structures. Some include erosive fans, unique relief, grasslands
seamed with springs. Others are covered by wide beautiful
landscapes where an extraordinary rare plants grow. It is proved
that straight in reserves of Pavilniai Regional
Park approximately 13-14 thousand years ago mammoths
lived or wandered there. It is quite simple to imagine those huge
animals walking around you while you are standing surrounded by a
huge oak wood.
Pavilniai Regional Park also includes
beautiful mountain called hill of Belmontas under Italian meaning
bello monte (beautiful mountain). The Belmontas hill is of
50-55 m height. For those who get to the top a breathtaking
panorama of Vilnius Old Town and the valley of Vilnia opens. Near
the mountain a gorgeous center of entertainment and recreation
called Belmontas is established.
The idea of reconstruction of the French (Belmont) mill complex
was based on great respect for our historical relics and
wonderful Vilnius landscape. All authentic buildings and their
parts were diligently preserved and restored; their current purpose
is at maximum adapted to the old mill building plan and space
structures. When managing the territory, the main attention was
drawn to the restoration of the former windmill
hydrotechnic system – the intake and offtake canal
was restored, seven bridges were built above it, as well as
cascades and a fountain. The key element of this canal is one of
the biggest waterwheels in Lithuania. A huge pond has been
established in the central part of the complex, its waters are
curving down the artificial waterfall into the river
Vilnele. A long and complex network of walkway has been
established in the central territory, its length is approximately 1
kilometre; also, there are resting and observation sites, arbours
of various shapes, an amphitheatre, parterres, fountains and other
numerous attractive elements of landscape and minor
architecture. Impressive illumination of the entire complex creates
a vision of a charming and mysterious night. Belmontas
Entertainment and Recreation Centre was established inside the
French (Belmont) mill complex. This centre consists of various
halls established inside the buildings of the complex.
As it was already mentioned, the Pavilniai
Regional Park includes some objects of
historic heritage. There are plenty of remains of
former defensive bunkers. Bunkers were built in the 20th
century. Some of them were established under hills, others
above the ground. Building works were very expensive, however,
bunkers were not used at all as the war forces unexpectedly
attacked from another side so during the war and postwar bunkers
were used as a storages. Nowadays bunkers are reconstructed. They
are supervised by directorate of Pavilniai
Regional Park.
Hard to believe that such a unique natural landscape
opens in the eastern corner of the largest Lithuanian
city. Despite being the smallest regional park (2127 ha),
Pavilniai might be one of the most
impressive natural reserves including nature, history and cultural
heritage. It is a perfect place for free time activities
in nature while 28 km long lasting cognitive walk extends
through the region welcoming everybody missed the real beauty and
majesty of nature.
While in the Pavilniai Regional Park,
you can also visit the Ribiskiu labyrinth. A magnificent
view opens from the Liepkalnis mountain next to Minskas
highway. In winter the Liepkalnis mountain becomes
especially popular with skiers. In more than fifteen places of
Pavilniai park, one may enjoy not only beautiful
views of hills, valleys, forests, or the Vilnia river
valley, but also the magic remains of a cultural heritage and many
interesting old buildings. From the sightseeing places, the
beautiful panorama of Vilnius is overwhelming. To get
familiar with the main features of the landscape of the regional
park, it will be helpful to learn the established system of
cognitive pedestrian paths, and to also review the motor
(and bicycles) tourism routes. The main cognitive pedestrian path
consists of three parts leading to the following routes:
- Ribiškes–Puckoriai (12 km or 7.5 mi long);
- Barsukyne–Sapiegine (10 km or 6.2 mi long);
- Sapiegine–Belmontas (6 km or 3.7 mi long).
For more information see: www.pavilniai-verkiai.lt.