Green Lakes Route

After the Baptism of Lithuania at the end of the 14th century, Jogaila (Jagiełło) established Vilnius’ Episcopate and donated Verkiai to its bishops. Thanks to the efforts of Bishop Ignacy Massalski, the former Grand Duke’s Palace was reconstructed and became the ‘Versailles of Vilnius’ – one of the most valuable Classicist buildings in Lithuania. The new classicist architectural ensemble of Verkiai was designed by the architect Marcin Knakfus and his apprentice, Laurynas Stuoka-Gucevičius. Between the two surviving outbuildings stood the central palace, which was demolished around 1844 by the decision of the owner L. Wittgenstein. Today, the eastern outbuilding is the most splendid building of Verkių Palace, where the 19th-century interiors have been restored.

The Green Lakes’ group consists of three larger lakes (Balsys, Gulbinas, and Mažasis Gulbinas) and three smaller lakes (Raistelis, Akis, and Baraukos akis). The water in these lakes is unique – it has a bright green colour due to the high content of dissolved carbonates in the groundwater. The lakes were formed by the melting of glaciers around 18,000 years ago. The lakes are nearly 40 m deep and surrounded by steep wooded hills. The beach of Lake Balsys is also known as the Green Lakes’ beach. Like Žirmūnų beach, it was awarded the prestigious Blue Flag in 2021. Both are fully accessible for people with disabilities.

The first cycle track in Lithuania opened in 2018 and can be found in Balsiai next to the ‘Žali’ shopping and service centre (Visalaukio g. 1). The cycletrack consists of curves, small and large jumps, and various hills to develop speed. For beginners, there is a small track (33 m long). It is located right next to the children’s playground. The bigger track for cyclists of all ages and abilities is 222 m long. It is said that, with good body control, you can ride on this track for hours without pedalling. Want to give it a try?

The Staviškių Hillfort (also known as the Naujieji Verkiai Hillfort Mound) dates back to the 1st millennium. Its slopes are steep, 10 m high, and overgrown with trees and bushes. At the top there is a triangular elongated platform 50 m long and 40 m wide. On the eastern edge of the mound a sculpture of the Sacred Heart of Jesus was erected in 1928. It is said to protect the surrounding area from floods. A staircase was built on the slope of Staviškių Mound in 2000, and the sculpture was renovated in 2009 at the expense of the local community.