LITHUANIA - Žagarė (Joniskis)

Žagarė is a remote town in the north of Lithuania and is famous for its old architecture and a beautiful landscape. There is hardly a town in Lithuania that can boast such an old history as Žagarė. In 1198, Žagarė was first mentioned in written sources as Sagera. The river Svete divided the town into two parts – Old Žagarė and New Žagarė.

Due to its favourable geographical and natural position, the main street network had already begun to appear in the middle of the 16^th century. Some clay and local dolomite buildings of the 17^th - 18^th centuries still stand in Žagarė. At present the buildings of the mid-19^th and early 20^th centuries prevail. Despite loses Žagarė is one of the most original small towns with its architecture and development of urbanistics.

At present the town of Žagarė occupies an area of 475,4 ha, its population is estimated at up to 2½ thousand. Žagarė is the land of agriculture. Cherries are the symbol of Žagarė’s landscape.  

Here is a gymnasium where children gain a secondary education, a sports school and art school with painting and music sections, a special boarding-school for children who have mental disability, the  centre of social services, taking care of orphanages and children whose parents’ rights of parentage have been limited, a kindergarten and an old people’s home in Žagarė. In addition, there is a municipality,   cultural centre,  health centre,  post-office and  police station. People of the town take active part in social activities of the community “Veide”, sport club “Zvelgaitis”, youth club and “Svete” , the club of elderly and disabled people.

www.zagare.tai.lt

Photo album Zagare