Verkiai Regional Park

Verkiai Regional Park is one of the Regional Parks in Lithuania. It is located almost entirely in Verkiai elderate of Vilnius municipality.

The park was established in 1992 in order to protect natural complexes of the Green (Žalieji) Lakes and cultural complexes of Verkiai Palace and a park, Kalvarijos and Trinapolis as well as other valuables. The park occupies 2 673 ha (compared to 5 565 ha of the elderate). Forests cover 76.5 percent, reserves occupy 52.7 percent, and 23.9 percent of the territory is designated for recreation.

Verkiai Calvaries (the Way of the Cross, _lt. Verkių Kalvarijos) have been established in 17th century. The Calvaries were completed in 1669 by the supervision of Dominican monks. They have been constructed exactly following the plan of Jerusalem, with the distances, water bodies and elevations being very close to the original. New chapels were constructed in the 18th century in Baroque style. Vepriai Way of the Cross consists of 22 chapels, 7 wooden and brick gates, and two church ensembles. The Calvaries have been visited by Christian worshipers from Vilnius region and abroad yearly in Pentecost. Almost all stations were completely destroyed in 1962 under the Soviet rule. After regaining the independence the reconstruction was started. Last chapels were rebuilt in 2004. Today the entire complex is reconstructed and is proclaimed an architectural monument of national significance.

Image gallery

External links

* [http://www.pavilniai-verkiai.lt/pagr.php?id=eng_verepa Information from the official website]