The Stelmužė Oak is the oldest and thickest oak growing in Lithuania and one of the oldest oaks in Europe. It is thought to be around 1,500–2,000 years old; its diameter is a record 3.5 m (it takes 8–9 men to put their arms around the trunk) and it is 23 m tall. But the Stelmužė manor site, in whose park this old giant grows, has plenty of other things worth seeing too. It's fair to call the Stelmužė manor site a living corner of history. It is thought that in Livonian times a castle belonging to a knight of the Livonian Order stood here; later manor buildings were put up, which from the early 16th century were owned by the German barons von Bercken, then von Folkersamb, von Hahn and others. Next to the old oak stands an exceptional historic monument – the Church of the Holy Cross of the Lord Jesus. One of the finest gems of Aukštaitija, it's a must-see. History tells us the church was built in 1650 on the initiative of the von Bercken barons who lived at the manor. It was built by woodcarvers from Latvia who used nothing but an axe and a chisel. The von Folkersamb barons remodelled the Stelmužė church in 1713. Step inside and you'll be amazed by its unique interior. Your eyes will be drawn to the pulpit decorated with wood carvings and the equally impressive altar with the Crucifix. The ornaments, sculptures, carvings and bas-reliefs adorning the pulpit and altar were created centuries ago. Next to the church, a former mausoleum catches the eye – more than one generation of the nobles who owned Stelmužė manor were buried there. It was devastated during the wars, and the remains were moved to the church crypt. Next to the Stelmužė manor park there is another natural wonder – the Lygumai stone. If you were amazed by Puntukas in Anykščiai, listen up – this giant is believed to be even bigger, if only it were dug out of the ground. Only a small part of the Lygumai stone is visible on the surface. Its story is worth hearing too: it is said the stone was dropped by the devil, who wanted to throw it onto the church. But he never did, because he lost his way, the roosters crowed and dawn broke. There is a special aura about the manor site – after all, this place has seen Livonian times, Napoleon's army and the battles of the First World War. After the First World War the German military authorities put up cement crosses and a monument of dark stones next to the oak. In Soviet times some of these graves and the monument itself were destroyed. Only a few monuments remain in the park today. The Stelmužė Oak keeps one more secret – the skeleton and weapons of a soldier of Napoleon's army who had hidden inside it were found in its hollow. Your time in Stelmužė will be truly interesting and rewarding, because you can also visit the Well of Fortune at the foot of the park hill, stroll along the alley of young oaks and see the Slaves' Tower standing a little further away. And on your way to the Stelmužė manor site, get ready for one more unexpected attraction – the winding, hilly road leading there will give you quite an experience.