The industrial center of northeastern Lithuania and one of the country’s oldest settlements, Utena was first mentioned as part of the Selonian territory in a 1261 writ issued by King Mindaugas. The Utenėlė (probably originally called Utena) River which flows through the city is the source of its name. The history of the city is also connected to the Narkunai fortress hill, the site in the 13th century of the castle of Prince Daumantas of Nalšia.
Its growth as a town began with the construction in 1835 of the Kaunas-Daugavpils highway. Trade connections improved with the laying in 1899 of a branch of the narrow-gauge Panevėžys–Švenčionys railway line. A small fruit beverage factory (1893) was the start of the present-day beer and soft drink enterprise called “Švyturys-Utenos Alus”. The city also has a food processing plant and the “Utenos trikotažas” clothing manufactory.
Highlights in Utena
Principal monuments along J. Basanavičiaus gatvė, which runs the length of the city, include the fairly well-preserved Kaunas-Daugavpils mail wagon station (1833-1835). The main building, which now houses an art school and gallery, has a four-column portico reminiscent of the entrance to a small manor house. There is an abstract composition entitled “Rainbow” (2004, sculptor Vladas Urbanavičius) at the approach of the square in the center of town. In the square itself, a concrete bust of the celebrated national revival activist Jonas Basanavičius (1934, sculptor Boleslovas Plungė).
One of the city’s most attractive buildings, the former branch of the Bank of Lithuania (1933, architect Mykolas Songaila, J. Basanavičiaus gatvė 61), continues to act in its role as a commercial enterprise.
Established in 1923 in a former manor house (outfitted with a second floor in 1930), the red brick Saulės Gymnasium at S. Nėries gatve 20 is a historical monument attended by many prominent 20th-century culture and education figures. Information on the city and environs is available at a regional museum in the city’s second oldest building (Utenio gatvė 3).
Marija and Aleksandras Žemaitis
In 1992, in commemoration of partisans, the American-Lithuanians Marija and Aleksandras Žemaitis built the Chapel of the Blessed Virgin Mary Queen of Martyrs on the shore of Lake Dauniškis, beside a small hill bearing crosses erected in 1989-1990, also dedicated to partisans and deportees.
A sculpture called “Sorrow” (1988, Valentinas Šimonėlis) marks the site of the massacre and mass burial in the summer of 1941 of the Jews of Utena and surrounding towns in the Skaistašilis Forest along the road to Užpaliai. The village of Leliūnai, 13 km from the city center in the direction of Kaunas, has a ceramic museum (Topolių gatvė 7), set up by the folk artist Vytautas Valiušis.
Utena Coat of Arms and Numbers
Official name | Utena |
Inhabitants | 39,840 (2016) |
Area | 15,1 km2 |
Utena Tourist Information Center | Stoties Street 39, LT-28134, Utena, Lithuania |
International relations:
- Chelm, Poland
- Kovel, Ukraine
- Lidkoping, Sweden
- Pontinia, Italy
- Preili, Latvia
- Trebon, Czech Republic
Church of the Ascension
The Church of the Ascension of Christ into Heaven stands as a testament to faith and architectural beauty in the charming town of Utena, Lithuania.
Completed in 1884, the church exemplifies the Historicist (Neo-Byzantine) style, a revival of Byzantine architectural elements. Its creation was overseen by Professor Silvijus Lukoševičius. The church’s location in Utena adds to its historical and cultural significance.
Architectural Features
The church’s pediment features a striking sculpture called “Trimituojantis angelas” (translated as “Trumpeting Angel”), crafted by woodcarver Antanas Deveikis. This angelic figure adds a celestial touch to the building’s exterior. Inside, visitors encounter a serene space adorned with religious icons, frescoes, and intricate woodwork. The church’s design reflects both spiritual devotion and artistic craftsmanship.
Community and Worship
The Church of the Ascension remains an active place of worship for the Russian Orthodox community in the city. Under the leadership of Archbishop Vasiliev Valery Fedorovich, it continues to serve as a spiritual refuge and gathering point for parishioners.
Whether you’re drawn by its architectural beauty or seek solace within its walls, the Church of the Ascension stands as a symbol of faith and cultural heritage.
Address: Vytauto a. 1
Utena Regional Museum – Exploring the Past and Present
The Utena Regional Museum, also known as Utenos kraštotyros muziejus, is a fascinating cultural institution located in the city. The museum’s home is no ordinary structure—it’s the second oldest building in town. Its architectural elegance, with its weathered bricks and charming windows, transports visitors to a bygone era. As you step inside, the creaking wooden floors seem to whisper stories of generations past.
Diverse Exhibits
The museum offers a diverse range of exhibitions, the highlights being:
- Archaeology: Wander through dimly lit corridors where ancient artifacts come alive. Bronze tools, pottery shards, and mysterious relics reveal the lives of the city’s earliest inhabitants. Imagine the hands that shaped these objects—their hopes, fears, and dreams etched into each piece.
- History: Dust off old manuscripts and yellowed letters. Here, history unfolds like a well-worn map. Learn about the city’s pivotal moments—the battles fought, the treaties signed, and the resilient souls who shaped the town’s destiny.
- Ethnography: Step into reconstructed peasant cottages. Feel the rough texture of handwoven textiles and smell the lingering scent of wood smoke. Utena’s folk traditions—wedding rituals, harvest festivals, and superstitions—are vividly preserved here.
- Photography: Black-and-white snapshots line the walls, capturing fleeting moments frozen in time. Faces of Utena’s residents peer out—their expressions hinting at joys and sorrows. Each photograph whispers, “I was here.”
- Literature and Art: Literary enthusiasts will find solace among dusty bookshelves. Original manuscripts, poems, and paintings celebrate Utena’s creative spirit. Perhaps a local poet once sat by the window, penning verses inspired by the surrounding landscape.
Address: Utenio a. 3