Sightseeing

In January, 2000, an aquarium showroom was opened. It is the first private aquarium exposition by its size in Lithuania. In the premises of 140 sq.m. area, eleven 600-liter aquariums, three 700-liter, and twelve 80-180-liter aquariums are exhibited. Over 60 species of tropical freshwater fishes live, grow and spawn in them – from small, one-centimetre neon fishes to half-meter big  freshwater muraenas, piranhas of kilogram weight. Sea aquariums can boast of Coral grouper, Fly fishes, Butterfly fishes, Clown fishes, Surgeon fishes, etc., and they do not feel any sense of nostalgia. Actiniae and crabs got used to the environment adapted for them. Muraena grew fond of boiled shrimps and has forgotten the taste of sea urchins, she used to eat in the Red Sea. Tens of lush tropical vegetation are growing in the aquariums, including Madagascar aponogeton, a very rare plant among Lithuanian aquarium lovers. In the pool, situated in the centre of the showroom, several Red cheeked turtles maintain order among Lithuanian lake fishes.

Expositions
Zarasai Area History from the early 19th Century until 1940
This exposition is arranged in the first hall of the museum. It acquaints with the development of Zarasai town, the period of czarism, the culture, religion, historical-political development of that time. One can also see exhibits exhaustively reflecting the development of the industry, agriculture, education, culture and the activity of public organizations of Zarasai land in 1918-1940.

Ethnographic Exposition
The exposition focuses on the development of cattle breeding, agriculture, flax processing, peasant life-style and handicrafts.
The exposition of the second hall displays household articles and working tools of peasants of the land. In one part of the hall a storeroom is arranged where furniture and textile characteristic of Salakas environs are exhibited.

Sacral Sculpture of the Eastern Aukstaitija (Upper Lithuania)
The exposition is displayed in the third hall of the museum. 

Mikas Sileikis Gallery

Exhibitions
The museum has a well-appointed exhibition hall of 80 sq. where various exhibitions and other events are organized every month.
Exhibitions of art, earthenware, textile, church art, hunting trophies are arranged in the museum, as well as thematic historical exhibitions to commemorate anniversaries.

Church Art Museum in Stelmuze
Address: Stelmuze village, Zarasai region.
Stelmuze Church is listed as an architectural monument. It was built with ax and chisel around 1650, and decorated with woodcarvings by an unknown artist. In 1963 the non-functioning Church was turned into a museum.

Address: Paziege village, Dusetos, Zarasai region.
 
The museum opened in 1965 in the birthplace of Prof. Kazimieras Buga (1879-1924), the famous linguist and founder of Lithuanian and Baltic Studies in Lithuania.
The exhibition tells the story of Kazimieras Buga‘s  life, linguistic research and public activities. Books published by Kazimieras Buga, manuscripts of the Dictionary of the Lithuanian Language, and personal belongings of the Buga family are on display.

Exposition
The main and the most original exponent of the museum are the water mill and its equipment, which after reconstruction looks like primeval.
The exposition presents the history of the Tiltiskes water mill, history of Lithuanian energetic and history of Zarasai area energetic
There are more than 5.000 exponents in the museum’s collection.

Dusetos Fine Arts Gallery was opened on 06 July 1995 on the initiative of painters Romualdas Pučekas, Eugenijus Raugas, Alvydas Stauskas. On the approval of Dusetos and Zarasai Region authorities, the first show of works by artists originating from Dusetos environs was opened in the premises of Dusetos Administration Building.
The Gallery seeks to unite artists born and living in Dusetos. It purposes to show their works to the people of Dusetos and their guests. The Gallery co-operates with other galleries and museums. Over the 7 years of its existence the Gallery has organised 23 shows in Lithuania and abroad. The main of them include the show at Vilnius "Arka" Gallery; Panevėžys Fine Arts‘ Gallery in 1997; "Kauno langas" Gallery in 2000; Daugavpils "Mara" Fine Arts Gallery in 1998 (Latvia); Amasen Town Hall in 1999 (Italy); Šiauliai Fine Arts Gallery in 2000; and Jekapils "Mans‘s" Gallery in 2001 (Latvia).
Certain traditions have developed: at the end of the year shows of miniatures by Sėlian territory artists are organised. The shows cover the works by a wider circle of artists, not only the ones from Dusetos. The latest works by Dusetos Fine Arts Gallery painters (Nomeda Saukienė, Rūta Luckienė, Ramunė Sladkevičiūtė-Dainienė, Romualdas Pučekas, Eugenijus Raugas, Alvydas Latėnas, Petras Stauskas, Alvydas Stauskas) are exposed at the Gallery every July to mark the date of its opening.
Archive materials are accumulated at the Gallery. Information about artists originating from Dusetos territory and on their creation is gathered. A fund for the development of art by Dusetos territory artists has been established. In 1997 a Gallery branch was opened at Zarasai Culture Palace.

Constructed in 1674 in a neo-baroque style, Zarasai‘s grandest church replaced a series of churches which previously occupied the land. Having fallen into a state of disrepair, 1842 saw the public barred from accessing it altogether. A programme of renovation followed, and by 1878 walls had been reinforced, cracks sealed and wooden structures replaced. Consecrated in 1906, the church now dominates the town square with its 30m twin steeples. The interior is both ornate and decadent. Of note is the painting depicting St. Mary, who was allegedly rescued from Vilnius Castle following the great fire of 1419. Find it by the central altar.

The most well-known sight in the neighbourhood of Imbradas is a famous Stelmuze oak tree. The road sign 3 km away from Zarasai on the  Zarasai-Bradesai road points to the Stylus oak tree that is situated 10 km ahead. Here, on the hill side, a mighty oak tree is growing, still keeping its attractiveness. It is considered to be the oldest or at least one of the oldest live trees in Europe. Nobody knows its age for sure since the middle of its trunk has rotted and it is impossible to calculate year rings. The old tree appears green, blossoms and gives acorns, though. 

…It happened many years ago. A miracle happened by an unremarkable rivulet connecting lake Ilgis and lake Pakausis: two youths had a vision in which the Virgin Mary appeared to them. It happened on the late evening in summer. The lake began to shine with a miraculous light, in the rays of which St. Mary was standing… The youths told their folks about the vision. Nobody is able to keep something like that a secret and soon the wonderful news spread all over Lithuania and even beyond the bounds of the country. People began to flock to the place. Everyone thirsted to view the miraculous place, to kneel by the lake, to express those thoughts which tormented their souls and bodies. Altars and crosses covered the shore of lake Ilgis by the rivulet and flowers embellished the place. Every year some new crosses appear on the lakeshore. Nobody orders them. This is people’s gratitude for divine mercy or fulfilled wishes, for soul relief, for peace of mind…

"…It is said, that a huge flat rock lies by the burial mound with buried treasure beneath. If one wants to get hold of treasures, he should pick up a pebble next to the rock, put it into his mouth and carry it for three days and nights without making a single sound. On the third night, at midnight, one should approach that flat rock and knock on it with the pebble from the mouth. Then, the huge rock will rise a little – the bewitched treasure will come to light, take as much as you want… The whole trouble is that until now no-one has succeeded in holding a pebble for three days and nights without uttering a word… The treasures are just lying under that rock…"