The Šiauliai district covers central Samogitia, near the border with Latvia. There is one of the most important pilgrimage centers of Lithuania, Góra Krzyży, and in several places you can see old manor houses and noble palaces.
The capital of the district is Siauliai, a city mentioned as early as the 13th century on the occasion of the battle of the Żmudzinów with the order of sword-bachelors. There is a Mannerist cathedral of St. Peter and Paul being one of the largest churches in Lithuania. The city's multicultural past is evidenced by the synagogue, molena of Old Believers and the Orthodox Church.
To the north of the city near the town of Meszkucie is the famous pilgrimage center, Góra Krzyży. The first cross and chapel were built here in 1430 in memory of the baptism of Samogitia. Mass pilgrimages related to bringing here crosses began after the fall of the November Uprising. Today there are over 50,000 crosses of various sizes, and tens of thousands of faithful visit the place each year.
Central Żmudź was formerly the seat of many noble families. The largest court building complex in Lithuania has survived to this day. It is located in Pokroje and surrounds the classical palace of the von Ropp family. In the English park stretching along the river you can see about 40 buildings, including outbuildings, stables, brewery, distillery, windmill and many others.
