Joniškis

The land of Joniskis belongs to the historic land of Ziemgala which became part of Lithuania as an independent political structure as far back as the 13th century. In the New Age, the land of Joniskis, thanks to its location, agriculture and crafts, developed from a neglected frontier territory into an economically and culturally important centre of Northern Lithuania. The character of local people is marked among Lithuanians for its temperance, modesty and sedentary lifestyle: though fights with the Livonian Order once hardened their heart, the unique flatland landscape softened their temper.

In the 17th century, Joniskis was the biggest town in the Siauliai district, surpassing in size even the district centre. In the 19th century, the town was famous for its agricultural production, fibre flax, tobacco and fairs. Distinct features of the district: its terrain, population and nature.

The district of Joniskis covers 1,152.2 square kilometres of land in the northern part of Lithuania. The northern part of the district borders Latvia for 78 kilometres.

In spite of the fact that the district of Joniskis is a borderland, its population is extremely homogenous: 97.2 % are of Lithuanian nationality, and the rest are of Russian, Latvian and other nationalities. 71.5 % of them are Catholics, 0.5 % belong to the Russian Orthodox Church, 0.4% to the Evangelical Lutheran Church.

The district consists of 10 neighbourhoods. It is an agricultural region with fertile lands which are ranked highly in the Republic. Water resources cover an area of 2,348.7 hectares. There is one big lake covering 6.2 hectares and 28 smaller ponds. Several rivers flow across the territory of the district – the Musa, the Sidabra, the Audruve, the Vilkija, and the Svete and quite a few streams.

Joniskis district is in the North of Lithuania. Endless plains in Joniskkis district are enlivened by the objects of cultural heritage which are the unique witnesses of folk creation and historical events. Here you can find an expressive churches, simple but fascinating chapels, remaining majestic manors and mounds that still recall the historical events and the place of the world famous event – the Sun Battle.

The Joniskis district is much influenced by the economy and ethnic culture of southern Latvia. There are over 350 culturally valuable objects registered in the district territory. Among them, there are 2 townscape monuments, 20 history monuments, 30 archaeological monuments, 37 architectural monuments (including 8 churches and 9 village cemetery chapels), 10 manor-estates, 3 Jewish synagogues and 79 fine art monuments.

In 1999 the Zagare regional park was established in the district. There are three State Reserves in the district: Musa Tyrelis telmological reserve, Vilkija hydrographic reserve, and Pabaliai botanical reserve. The Municipality has allocated three additional territories to botanical reserves (Eglynlaukis, the Svete valley and the Satkunai territories).

In the Joniskis district there are several objects of natural heritage protected by the State: Zagare dolomite exposure, Svedpolis spring, Zagare esker, as well as trees: the Berzyne oak, the Dvikamienis (Two-Stem) oak in Reibniskis forest, the Gumbuotasis (Knobby) oak in Vaineikiai village, the Maldeniai oak, the Versiai oak, the Raistai oak, the Raistai lime, the lime on M.Butler’s estate and the Tauciunai lime.

The beauty of the land of Joniskis, clean air, the network of tiny streams covered by ice in winters, artificial ponds and thick forests, with grazing stags, create favourable conditions for recreation, hunting and sports.

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