Telsiai (Telšiai) in Lithuania rests on seven hills and embraces upper Lake Mastis from east to west. Its name comes from the tiny Telše river which flows into the lake, though legend has it that a war hero named Džiugas (also known as Telšys) founded Telsiai.

The city center is an urbanistic monument and occupies the highest hill, Insula, along the principal Respublikos Street. Vilniaus Hills remains on the peripheral east side of the city and was the site of the first Telšiai sanctuary (15th century). A Telsiai estate is mentioned in 1450.

Arrival of The Franciscans

At the beginning of the 17th century, Telšiai elder Paul Saphieha invited the Franciscans to the area. They lived in a wooden monastery building until the latter half of the 18th century when they built the Church of St. Anthony of Padua (1765) and a two-story residence on Insula Hill.

The church was given cathedral status in 1926 with the founding of the Telšiai diocese. The sanctuary has a two-tier central altar, a second-floor gallery, original side altars a pulpit. A painting of St. Anthony hangs on the second tier of the high altar.

The city became the cultural center of Samogitia during the latter half of the 18th and the beginning of the 19th century thanks to the work of the Franciscan friars. Their monastery school was especially well-known. With the founding of the diocese, the monastery buildings converted into a seminary which functioned until 1946, and again from 1989. A Neo-Classicist bishops’ residence appeared in 1929.

Various institutions used the complex during the Soviet occupation. It returned to the Church after independence.

Modern Day Telsiai

The Samogitian Alka Museum stands on the edge of the lake. Its collections give a well-rounded introduction to the Telšiai environs – its nature, archaeology, history, folklore, and estate culture. At Muziejaus Street 88 is the house, decorated with eastern symbols and ornaments, of artist Alfredas Jonušas.

On display in the Japanese corner of his garden are models and copies of famous Japanese monuments. There is also a tea house. A sign further along the street points towards the Samogitian village museum which occupies 15 ha on the edge of Lake Mastis. The museum has 16 buildings from the end of the 19th and the beginning of the 20th century with historical exhibits from Samogitian daily life.

The Museum Alka of Samogitian History is a cornerstone of cultural preservation and education in the Samogitian region. Established in 1932, the museum offers a comprehensive look into the unique history, culture, and natural environment of Samogitia.

History

The idea for the museum began in the early 1920s, driven by local educators and historians who recognized the need to preserve Samogitian heritage. Officially founded on February 16, 1932, the museum initially housed its collection in a few rented rooms. Over the years, it has grown significantly, both in terms of its collection and its physical space.

Collections and Exhibits

The museum’s collections are diverse, encompassing various aspects of Samogitian life. Visitors can explore exhibits on archaeology, ethnography, and art. The archaeological section includes artifacts from ancient Samogitian settlements, while the ethnographic exhibits showcase traditional clothing, tools, and household items. The art collection features works by local artists, reflecting the region’s rich artistic heritage.

Special Features

One of the museum’s highlights is its extensive collection of folk art, which includes intricately carved wooden sculptures and traditional textiles. The museum also has a significant number of items from Samogitian manors, providing insight into the lifestyle of the region’s nobility.

Address: Muziejaus g. 31