🌿 Nature SpotsUtenaEasy access
Stelmužė Oak
Zarasai, Utena30-60 minutesBest: May to October
The oldest tree in Lithuania — a massive oak estimated at over 1,500 years old, standing in the churchyard of a tiny village in northeastern Lithuania near the Latvian border.
The Stelmužė Oak is believed to be the oldest tree in Lithuania and one of the oldest in Europe. This massive pedunculate oak, estimated at between 1,000 and 1,500 years old, stands in the churchyard of the tiny village of Stelmužė near the Latvian border. Its trunk has a circumference of over 13 meters.
The tree has been a sacred and culturally significant landmark for centuries. Local legends claim it was already ancient when Lithuanian grand dukes ruled the region. Despite its age, the oak still produces leaves and acorns, though much of the massive trunk is hollow. A wooden church nearby, dating from 1650, adds to the historic atmosphere.
Why Visit
Stand before a living organism that has witnessed over a millennium of Lithuanian history. The Stelmužė Oak is a natural monument of continental significance.
Address
Stelmužė, Zarasai district
55.7500, 26.1833
Visitor Tips
- 1The nearby wooden church is also worth seeing
- 2Remote location — a car is essential
- 3The tree is fenced for protection but clearly visible
- 4The trunk circumference exceeds 13 meters