Cover picture © Credits to Remigijus Drevinskas
Cover picture © Credits to Remigijus Drevinskas

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Pasvalys, a charming town & its legend of violinist Antanėlis

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Imagine yourself sitting in a small town somewhere in northern Lithuania, without loud cars and city dust, in a place where you can see a bright sky full of stars, where you can feel the fresh air and the melody of a flowing river. Imagine yourself In a town full of smiling people, who are very proud that they can be called Pasvaliečiais (people from Pasvalys). Surrounded by forests, rivers, and parks with sinkholes, this small town is the most charming town in all Lithuania. Pasvalys has not only beautiful views of nature and smiling people but also cozy old streets full of smells from the bakeries. Moreover, it has some people that still remember Antanėlis, a poor violinist who was playing every day near the old bridge of Pasvalys. A legend about this musician become alive this year, that's why it is important to visit Pasvalys, a charming town with its legend of violinist Antanėlis.

Picture © Credits to Remigijus Drevinskas
Picture © Credits to Remigijus Drevinskas

The melody of Antanėlis

Let’s start with a legend. People are saying that about 70 years ago, near the old bridge of Pasvalys, a musician Antanėlis used to play his handmade violin from the early morning till the late evening. Antanėlis was a childish person with a good heart. People are saying that the music of Antanėlis violin was sad and that the horses of the farmers, that were coming to Pasvalys market, were always afraid of him. Sadly, Antanėlis was a lonely musician playing the violin until his death. The times have passed, and the musician was forgotten.

Pasvalys Old Bridge
Pasvalys Old Bridge
Nepriklausomybės g. 2, 39149 Pasvalys, Lithuania

This year, when the Pasvalys city was celebrating 521 anniversary, the sculpture of the musician Antanėlis was presented to the Pasvalys people as a gift from the Pasvalys Area Museum. Now the story is alive again and becomes a legend. When you visit the bridge, you will not only see smiling Antanėlis, but you will also hear the melody of his violin touching yours and all Pasvalys people hearts.

Pasvalys Area Museum
Pasvalys Area Museum
P. Avižonio g. 6, Pasvalys 39149, Lietuva
Picture © Credits to Remigijus Drevinskas
Picture © Credits to Remigijus Drevinskas

Pasvalys and its famous sinkholes

After you hear the violin’s melody, and explore the surroundings of the Saint Jonas Church, do not forget to explore all the tiniest streets from this town, because you can't imagine what can you find there - from an open-air Milestone Museum of Antanas Stepulionis till the deepest cave in all Lithuania - the “Green springhead” (Žaliasis šaltinis). This cave is 20 meters deep, and the water looks green, because of the minerals, and this is where its name comes from.

Žaliasis šaltinis
Žaliasis šaltinis
Kalno g. 18, Pasvalys 39120, Lietuva
Milestone Museum of Antanas Stepulionis
Milestone Museum of Antanas Stepulionis
Kalno g. 55, Pasvalys 39121, Lietuva
Picture © Credits to Remigijus Drevinskas
Picture © Credits to Remigijus Drevinskas

One more interesting fact is that the northern part of Lithuania (Pasvalys and Biržai towns especially) is famous for its sinkholes. The geologists are saying that under the soil of this region, there are many empty places that the second, an underground Pasvalys, could be established there with all the people and buildings. The sinkholes can appear everywhere, and for Pasvalys people, this is not a surprise if one morning their cars fell into a new sinkhole. And it is a real true thing. In Pasvalys, you can even found a park of sinkholes, where are held all important concerts and celebrations. It is called Smegduobių parkas (Sinkholes Park). Even though it sounds dangerous, actually people there are living happily and not thinking about the possibility of falling into a new sinkhole.

Picture © Credits to Arvydas75
Picture © Credits to Arvydas75

The main reasons to visit a small and charming Pasvalys town are not only the unique sinkholes and beautiful parks but to get to know true Lithuania, without the streets full of tourist attractions and expensive restaurants. Pasvalys is a town for people who want the slow down, who like to enjoy the breathtaking sunsets while sitting near an old bridge and enjoying the wonderful melody of the legendary violinist Antanėlis.

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The author

Monika Grinevičiūtė

Monika Grinevičiūtė

I am Monika and I am passionate traveler, an engineer, books reader and desserts lover. I live in a beautiful and colorful country called Lithuania. I will use my Lithuanian superpowers to show you that this small Baltic pearl has much more than you can imagine

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