Balsiai is one of the newest districts of Vilnius, located in the northeastern part of the city. The greatest asset of this part of the city is its extraordinary natural beauty. Balsiai is surrounded by mature forest on all sides and the spectacular loops of the Neris River to the east. In the west, the Verkiai Regional Park is blessed with 6 lakes: Balsys, Mažasis Gulbinas, Gulbinas, Akis, Raistelis, and Baraukos Akis – today they are collectively known as ‘The Green Lakes’. Now in its fourth decade, the district’s streets and plots have been extensively landscaped, and public green spaces are being created, cared for by the Balsiai community and local residents. On the initiative of Professor Norbertas Velius, all the streets in the district have been named after Baltic mythological deities, and ethno-culture is promoted in the district.
The construction of a military airport began in 1939. This location was chosen for a reason: it has the least precipitation and fog in Vilnius. Fortunately, the project was not realised.
What you will learn / see on the route:
- How were the street names in Balsiai chosen?
- Have you ever seen a Lithuanian orchid?
- What gives Lake Balsys its extraordinary colour?
- How did the lowest precipitation and rarity of fog almost ruin Balsiai?
- Where in Balsiai can the well-hidden ‘Eye’ of Lake Akis be found?
