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Explore Nearby
Explore the rich history, cultural traditions, and peaceful landscapes of Šeduva and the surrounding region — where the story of the Lost Shtetl comes to life
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While visiting the Seduva Jewish History Museum, take time to explore the surrounding region. Located in the heart of northern Lithuania, Seduva is surrounded by towns full of cultural landmarks, historical sites, and natural beauty.
From the railway heritage of Radviliškis to the Jewish cultural legacy of Pakruojis, and the revived shtetl character of Šeduva, this area offers a unique glimpse into Lithuania's diverse past. Whether you're a history enthusiast, a cultural traveler, or simply exploring things to do near Seduva, the Radviliškis and Pakruojis municipalities have much to offer.
Plan your journey with the highlights below and visit local tourism websites for the latest travel tips and experiences.
Discover the Rich Heritage in and Around Seduva
While visiting the Seduva Jewish History Museum, take time to explore the surrounding region. Located in the heart of northern Lithuania, Seduva is surrounded by towns full of cultural landmarks, historical sites, and natural beauty.
From the railway heritage of Radviliškis to the Jewish cultural legacy of Pakruojis, and the revived shtetl character of Šeduva, this area offers a unique glimpse into Lithuania's diverse past. Whether you're a history enthusiast, a cultural traveler, or simply exploring things to do near Seduva, the Radviliškis and Pakruojis municipalities have much to offer.
Plan your journey with the highlights below and visit local tourism websites for the latest travel tips and experiences.
Šeduva
Šeduva is a town in the Radviliškis District Municipality, located 18 km east of Radviliškis. It is the center of its eldership and holds the status of an urban heritage site.
Historically, Šeduva was first mentioned in 1378, and in 1654 it was granted Magdeburg rights, allowing the town to govern itself. It received self-governance, including a mayor, councilors, a bailiff, and debtor courts. In the same year, the town was also granted a coat of arms. Though it suffered damage from fires and wars over the years, Šeduva has preserved its historical heritage.
Šeduva was a shtetl. In Yiddish, shtetl means "small town", especially one with a large Jewish population. Hundreds of such market towns existed in historical Lithuania, where markets thrived. Many of them were owned by nobles who invited Jews to settle and develop local economies. Jews gave these towns a distinctive character.
Shtetls flourished in the 17th–18th centuries. Jews began living in Šeduva in 1732. When historical Lithuania came under Russian rule, the economic strength of shtetls declined. Despite this, they became centers for new Jewish political movements and nurtured modern Jewish culture. In 1897, Jews made up 56% of Šeduva's population. By the 20th century, the younger generation of Jews began adopting a more secular lifestyle, though many still adhered to traditional ways.
The town developed industry and expanded its trade. Main goods included grain, flax, linseed, pigs, and geese; a horse market also operated. There were many inns. Between 1871 and 1873, with the construction of the Radviliškis–Daugavpils railway, the town's main line for goods, passenger transport, and postal communication became the railway.
The town layout is radial and organically developed but includes planning elements: the center has several rectangular blocks. The street network is regular, and the main streets form several intersections, one of which has a rectangular square. The old town is characterized by 1–2 story buildings from the late 19th to early 20th centuries. Streets and the square are filled with greenery.
Today, Šeduva has a post office, church, cultural center, library, primary healthcare center, high school, a branch of Radviliškis Art School, a kindergarten, and a care home.
Radviliškis
Radviliškis is a town in northern Lithuania, strategically located between Šiauliai and Panevėžys. The settlement was first mentioned in written sources in 1567, and the name is believed to derive from the surname "Radvila", although there is no direct historical connection with this noble family. Before World War II, Radviliškis had a large Jewish community, but unfortunately, few traces of this ethnic group remain in the town today.
The town's development is closely linked to the railway – it began to grow significantly in the late 19th century with the construction of railway lines, becoming an important transportation and logistics hub. This role is still evident today: Radviliškis is home to one of the largest railway depots in Lithuania, and the railway profession has long been one of the most prominent here.
Today, Radviliškis is a medium-sized town where industrial heritage blends with everyday life. Most urban spaces were developed during the Soviet era, so the architecture is primarily functional. The town has schools, libraries, cultural centers, and its identity is shaped by values such as diligence, stability, and a certain northern restraint.
The coat of arms of Radviliškis features a silver horse, symbolizing movement, connectivity, and growth. The light emanating from the horse's mouth represents progress and modernity – a nod to the influence of the railway on the town's development.
In Radviliškis, you can find various dining establishments offering delicious meals, as well as hotels providing comfortable rooms or cozy apartments.
Pakruojis
Pakruojis is a small but historically rich town in northern Lithuania, situated on the banks of the Kruoja River. First mentioned in written sources in 1531, the town grew as a regional center for trade and crafts. A particularly significant part of Pakruojis' history is the legacy of its Jewish community. From the late 18th century until the Holocaust, the town was a lively shtetl – a typical Eastern European Jewish settlement, where Jewish culture, religion, and daily life were deeply intertwined with the community.
In the 19th century, Jews made up the majority of Pakruojis’ population. They engaged in trade and crafts and had their own prayer houses, schools, bakeries, and shops. A symbol of this era is one of the oldest wooden synagogues in Lithuania, built in 1801, which still stands today after restoration as a living monument to shtetl heritage. The town's market, held on the eve of the Sabbath, attracted both locals and people from nearby areas.
Pakruojis was home to a diverse and active Jewish community – charitable organizations were established, both religious and secular schools operated, and spiritual life flourished. However, during World War II, this community was almost entirely destroyed. Today, the memory of the former shtetl is preserved through the renovated synagogue, memorials, and Pakruojis has become an important stop on Jewish cultural heritage routes.
The history of Pakruojis serves as a reminder not only of past tragedies but also of the once-thriving multicultural life, whose traces are still visible in the town's architecture, cultural landscape, and collective memory.
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Skonio namai Linda is a cozy café located in the center of Radviliškis. They offer a variety of dishes including daily lunches and organize banquets and other events.
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Central Hotel Radviliškis is a 3-star hotel located in the city center, featuring a classic style interior, cozy atmosphere, and modern amenities.
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Inn Žarija is more than just a rural tourism homestead. It’s a cozy café on the shore of Arimaičiai Lake (near Šeduva, about 8 km from the “Lost Shtetl” museum).
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Šeduva Mill is a century-old building, construction of which began in 1905. It stands out for its architecture, legends, and impeccably maintained surroundings.
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“Panekelpių Village” is a cozy traditional homestead located at the confluence of two rivers, surrounded by centuries-old linden trees.
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Radviliškis SPA swimming pool is a modern sports and leisure complex, opened at the end of 2017. It offers facilities for active sports, relaxation in saunas, and pampering in a whirlpool bath.
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Šiauliai Aero Club, located in Raudondvaris, offers recreational, sightseeing, and training flights with gliders and airplanes.
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Established in 2014, the Šeduvos Culture and Crafts Center serves as a hub for the community’s cultural life.
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Operating since 1982, Šeduvos Equestrian Center is an important horseback riding sports hub in Northern Lithuania. It hosts riding lessons, tournaments, and demonstration shows.
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Located on the western edge of Radviliškis district in the area known as Šiaulės land, this 21-meter-high tower stands among hills.