You will find the neo-Romantic palace of Alanta Manor in the small town of Alanta in Molėtai district. Built in the mid-19th century, the palace with its distinctive façade has been restored more than once while preserving its authenticity. Not only the main manor building has survived to this day but the whole complex of buildings, along with a beautifully kept park with three small ponds. No wonder the manor now often hosts a variety of events and banquets – the well-kept surroundings truly delight the eye. After a walk in the park and admiring the buildings from outside, be sure to go inside. The manor has become a real cultural centre. It houses the Vaidotas Žukas Art Gallery with a permanent exhibition of the artist's work, and also hosts exhibitions of contemporary art by other artists. In the basement there is Elvyra Satkūnaitė's collection of household utensils and ethnographic clothing, and you can also see carvings by the folk artist Jonas Matelionis. An exhibition on the Jews of the Molėtai area is being prepared in the Alanta synagogue (Ukmergės g. 3A), which is not yet permanently open. The Molėtai Area Traditional Crafts Centre is at Muziejaus g. 7 in Mindūnai, not in the manor basement. Although the present complex of manor buildings dates only from the 19th century, Alanta was first mentioned on 28 June 1436, when Sigismund Kęstutaitis confirmed Kristinas Astikas's gift to his wife Ona (Alanta by the Virinta); the document shows that Vytautas had granted Alanta to the Astikas family, not to his brother Sigismund. For several centuries the manor was owned by the Radziwiłłs, and until the First World War by the Pac-Pomarnacki family; in the period of independent Lithuania the palace belonged to the Minister of Transport, Balys Sližys. In those days the palace was lavishly furnished: a candle chandelier sparkled in the Great Hall, and wall sconces, impressive curtains, paintings, furniture and a luxurious parquet pattern caught the eye. The walls of the Pac-Pomarnacki family room were decorated with photographs and paintings, and a separate room was devoted to portraits of the family's ancestors. The manor was famous for its Chinese-style tea room with a rich collection of ceramics and lanterns. There was also a room with a set of Louis XV-style sofas and chairs and paintings, as well as a coffee and tea salon. Almost nothing of this luxury remains today. The old days are recalled only by one splendid tiled stove, a rocking chair and the original legs of a large dining table, now screwed onto a new table standing in the manor's dining room. A visit to Alanta Manor will be well worth your time and will leave you with pleasant impressions: in one place you can enjoy the surroundings, discover works by contemporary artists and folk artists alike, and learn a great deal about the history of the area.