Šeimyniškiai Outcrop with Conglomerate Rock

If you want to feel the grandeur of rocks, you don't need to travel abroad – you can see them in Lithuania too. Visit the Šeimyniškiai outcrop with its conglomerate rock – it will leave a lasting impression. This used to be a gravel pit, so locals know the place better as the Šeimyniškiai quarry. While gravel was being dug, massive blocks formed of clay, gravel and small stones were uncovered. Such rocks form underground through complex hydrochemical processes during which calcite crystallises. When groundwater reached the permeable, porous gravel layer, calcite crystallised and firmly cemented the sand, gravel and shingle deposits together, creating a formation called a conglomerate. The conglomerate rock standing here is several times taller than a person, so it is a great place to take photos and to see this natural heritage feature up close. When taking pictures, don't forget to pose in them yourself – only then will your photos convey the grandeur of the rocks. The result: you can joke to your friends that you have been to mountains abroad! We have no doubt that once they learn the truth – that such a formation, so unusual for our country, is right here in Lithuania – they will want to come and see it with their own eyes too. Next to the conglomerate rock, steps lead up the Šeimyniškiai outcrop. So roll up your sleeves and head to the top. There you will be rewarded with a superb view – you will see the rocks from above and the open landscape of the outcrop, and you can take a walk. In 1992 the Šeimyniškiai outcrop with its conglomerate rock was declared a state geological natural monument of national importance. Since 2002 it has been a state-protected natural heritage site. Not far from the outcrop rises the Šeimyniškiai hill fort, which has a considerable cultural layer. A wide variety of pottery has been found there. Written sources mention that Užpaliai Castle stood on the hill fort and was burnt down in 1433 during raids by the Livonian Order. If you are interested, you can see the finds from this hill fort at the National Museum of Lithuania. If you have not been here yet, you should hurry to add the Šeimyniškiai outcrop with its conglomerate rock to your list of places to visit. This fantastic formation is constantly being eroded by strong winds and rain, which gradually wash away the stones of the rocks.