Zarasai

Zarasai sits among a cluster of lakes in the far northeast, close to both the Latvian and Belarusian borders, and water is most of the town: Zarasas lake curls around the centre, with Zarasaitis, Baltas and others nearby, and the old street plan radiates from a central square in a pattern laid out in the nineteenth century. A circular pedestrian walkway was built out over the lake in the 2010s, a ring of decking on piles that has become the town's emblem and its evening promenade. A viewing tower on Šaltupė hill gives the overview of the lake district. The surrounding country is glacial, with hills, forest and hundreds of lakes, and the Stelmužė oak lies to the north.

History

The linguist Kazimieras Būga traced the name to the Selonian word for lake, ezeras, in the plural ezerasai, later shortened to Zarasai, and in Polish the town was known from the early 16th century as Jeziorosy (Wikipedia, Zarasai).

The main sights

• The lake ring walkway - the circular deck out over the water.
• The radial town plan - streets fanning from the central square.
• The viewing tower - the overlook across the lake district.
• Seven lakes - the waters that surround and enter the town.

When to go

June to September for swimming and the promenade; the lake district is a summer destination. Autumn colour is good. Winter is cold and quiet, with ice fishing on the lakes.

What to expect

The town itself is modest with few sights beyond the water. Facilities are limited outside the summer season. It is a long drive from Vilnius. The walkway is popular and busy on summer evenings.

Nearby

Stelmužė oak lies north; Lake Sartai is southwest.

Key facts