Žemaičių Naumiestis Market Square

Žemaičių Naumiestis Market Square is an irregular triangular area almost half a kilometer long and one hectare in size, paved with stones and surrounded by masonry buildings and wooden houses.
At the pointed end of the square, in 1928, craftsman, book smuggler, and carpenter Domininkas Markvaldas built a monument to commemorate the 10th anniversary of Lithuania’s independence.
The daily life of Žemaičių Naumiestis residents was significantly influenced by the nearby border that once separated Minor and Greater Lithuania.
As a border town, Žemaičių Naumiestis stood out for its multicultural environment. Even today, three places of worship stand side by side: the Evangelical Lutheran Church (built in 1842), the Catholic Church (1782), and the Jewish Synagogue (1816).
The cobblestone market square, mostly unchanged since the early 19th century, reflects the multicultural character of the town.
The surrounding buildings serve as living reminders of the former Jewish, Lithuanian, and Lietuvininkai shops, taverns, and workshops that once thrived here.
The local museum in Žemaičių Naumiestis is dedicated to preserving and showcasing this multicultural border town heritage.