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Zarasai

Zarasai is beautiful multicultural city located on the north-east edge of Lithuania. It’s calm and full of good emotions. There are only about 8 thousands of people. You can’t find here any traffic jams nor air pollution. At present Zarasai district is divided into 10 administrative divisions : Antalieptė, Antazavė, Degučiai, Dusetos, Imbradas, Salakas, Suviekas, Turmantas, Zarasai town and Zarasai surroundings. It is traditionally believed that Zarasai came into being in the 15th century.
Zarasai suffered during Napoleon’s invasion into Russia – one of the main routes of the French army led through the township and a battle between the Russian and French armies took place in the Zarasai. After the war, the township started growing rapidly. Some Jewish tradespole settled down here and a few Russian functionaries with their families moved in.
An important event in Zarasai history was the construction of Kaunas-Daugpilis road in 1830-1836. Its completion led to livelier goods transportation and post-coach traffic, thus enhancing the role of Zarasai in communication and improving conditions for its development.
In 1836, by the order of Czar Nicolai I, the district centre was moved from Vydžiai to Zarasai, the town was renamed Novoalesandrovsk. The next year the construction plan of Zarasai was approved. In 1842 the issue of Zarasai district, covering an area of 6072 km2, was finally settled. The district included 5 police regions and 27 rural districts (valsčiai).
Zarasai is city of mounds and lakes. Numerous mounds in the territory of Zarasai region testify to the fact that it was densely populated as far back as the first millenium – early second millenium.
There are two regional parks – Gražutės and Sartų. Over 300 lakes located in the region, 39 lakes are situated in protected territories. Among the 8 rivers passing through the region, the longest is Šventoji (44.7 km).
The old part of the city is an urbanistic monument. It is valued for the specific regular plan with a radial-ring street network and the main accent – square, concentring all the radial streets. It is the only plan of this kind among all the Lithuanian cities.
Evidently, the future of Zarasai district is development of tourism and recreation. The programme for economic and business development of Zarasai district accentuates tourism as a special area, the development of which could make Zarasai the leader of recreational business in Eastern Lithuania, an attractive tourism site and a suitable place for short-term weekend trips or holidays.
Today the region can offer accommodation for 600 visitors in 4 different locations. In summer season, some 2,000 holidaymakers can be lodged in private houses or apartments. There are 23 long-and short-term camping sites in Gražutės and Sartų regional parks and other locations. Zarasai attracts a lot of visitors and travellers in summer.
One of the most beautiful sights of Zarasai is Island. There is also farmstead of Degesa, so if you enjoy swimming, camping or simply watching nature, Zarasai is the place for you.