Places to visit in the city of Pasvaly

Sinkhole park. After getting to know the history, it’s time to check out the nature. The Sinkhole Park is a unique place in Pasvalys, which has no equivalents not only in Lithuania, but also in the whole world. Geologists calculated that as many as 56 sinkholes had opened here 80 years ago. The field the looked like the cratered surface of the Moon from a bird’s eye view. In the past, this place was called Avižonis pits because the land belonged to farmers Avižoniai. Homes have never been built here nor economic activities have been developed. Today, in the 8-hectare area of the Sinkhole Park, there are more than ten karst collapses of various ages and sizes. The deepest sinkhole is about 6 meters deep. This is the highest concentration of sinkholes in one place, such a phenomenon is only present in the Pasvalys region. Various cultural events are held at the bottom of one of the largest sinkholes with no water, by erecting an amphitheater there. Local residents have long been accustomed phenomenon – sinkholes that are natural to the residents. City guests, especially foreigners, are more afraid of them. Travellers preparing to come to Pasvalys often ask if it is not dangerous here, is it safe to walk around the territory of the park, if it is not fenced and locked. Guests of the sinkhole park often ask if the ground will eat them when they’ll enter it…

Hundreds of exhibits are gathered in the open-air collection: An exposition of 214 millstones, 64 bowl stones, 7 “footed” stones, 2 boundary stones, and mill gears. They were collected by local researcher Antanas Stapulionis over many years. Large and small millstones bring to mind the ancient craft of grinding grain, both in mills and at home. And the bowl-shaped stones are a legacy of the old Balt religion. Balts used them during ceremonies, worshiping their deities. In later centuries, the stones of the pagan period were adapted for farm purposes: rubbing, pressing, house thresholds, foundations, etc. However, their true purpose and use is not forgotten even in our days.

The park was started in 1923 and now covers an area of 70 hectares. Folk artists of our region decorated the park spaces with oak sculptures based on folklore and mythology motifs in 1986-1988. Šilas lake located in the park is interesting because it is of karst origin – merged from several sinkholes and formed by human hands. By the way, it took a lot of effort before it was possible to find and plug the hole through which the water drained somewhere into the dungeons. Various cultural events are held in the park during the summer, sports competitions are held in the stadium. Campsite with cosy cabins awaits tourists.

The Green Spring is the deepest cave in Lithuania, included in “Factum”, the Lithuanian book of records. Its current depth is about 20 meters, diameter – 5 meters. Deep underground, the cave branches off into two large underground halls called “Sunny” and “Enigma”. The spring is on the left bank of the Lėvuo river. The spring coming out of the cave flows into the river. The green spring erupted around 1960 when a sinkhole opened in the area. The bottom of the spring is green, thus the water looks green as well. Due to its unique chemical composition, the water never freezes, its temperature does not rise above 8 °C at any time of the year. It is said that when the spring was opening, there was a barn in that place, into which water suddenly started flowing one night. People piled stones into the hole to stop it, but they couldn’t close it.

The left bank of Lėvuo has long been called Užupis. The townsfolk were to settle there the last. There was a rectory in Užupis, priests used to go to the church by boat. Only in the early 20th century, both banks of the river were joined by a bridge. Today, the brick building of the old rectory remains, and the quay is decorated with expressive wooden sculptures. Cultural events take place in the park, “Klėties teataras” invites you to the old granary.

The river Svalia gave the name to the City of Pasvalys. The recreation park located in the river valley is a great place for leisure, sports, children’s games, and nature observation.

The spaces of the park are connected by bridges and paths, a cozy square with sculptures and exercise equipment, a tennis table, and a children’s area with climbing playsets. Gazebos invite you to sit down, and wooden deckchairs invite you to lie down. At the edge of the park is the old Jewish and Karaite cemetery of Pasvalys. From Svalia Park, you can walk to Sinkhole Park (Panevėžio g.).

The first information about Pasvalys water mill dates back to 1755. The mill built on the bank of the Lėvuo River was named after the city of Pasvalys, the mill stood in the same place as the one we see today. A new brick mill building was built in approximately 1830, a stone dam and a bridge over it were built. Later, the mill was rebuilt several times. Its current appearance no longer resembles a classic water mill. Its millstones were set in motion by new technologies – diesel and electric motors. But the dam remained in its place and commemorates the history of almost two centuries. Today, the history of Pasvalys water mill is continued by PJSC Ustukių malūnas.