Marijampolė County

Marijampolė County in southwestern Lithuania belongs to the historic region of Suvalkija, considered the most fertile farming landscape in the country. A trip to Marijampolė is usually just a stop along the Via Baltica between Poland and the Baltics – but if you pull over, you'll find a pilgrimage basilica, lake country, and places closely tied to the history of the Lithuanian national movement.

Landscape and Location

Suvalkija is flat to gently rolling, marked by large fields, tree-lined roads, and farmsteads. In the south, near the Polish border at Kalvarija, the land becomes dotted with more lakes. The Šešupė River flows through the county. Besides Marijampolė, the most important towns are Vilkaviškis, Kazlų Rūda, Šakiai, and Kalvarija. Around Kalvarija you'll find lakes with swimming spots and campgrounds, the Šešupė is well suited to quiet canoe trips, and the pine forests near Kazlų Rūda draw mushroom and berry pickers in late summer.

Sights in Marijampolė County

Marijampolė was founded in the 18th century around a Marian monastery. The Basilica of St. Michael houses the relics of Blessed Jurgis Matulaitis, a bishop who attracts pilgrims from all over the country. The town is also known for one of Europe's largest used-car markets, through which vehicles from Western Europe are traded eastward. The region was home to figures of the Lithuanian national movement such as Vincas Kudirka, author of the national anthem, who was born near Vilkaviškis and died in Kudirkos Naumiestis, where a museum commemorates him; Jonas Basanavičius, another founding father, came from Ožkabaliai near Vilkaviškis. In Paežeriai near Vilkaviškis stands a neoclassical manor house with a museum. The Kazlų Rūda Forest is one of the largest forest areas in southern Lithuania.

Food, Getting There, and Best Time to Visit

Suvalkija is known for meat dishes, sausages, potato pancakes, and the reputation of its people as thrifty farmers, a stereotype that inspires plenty of jokes in Lithuania. Marijampolė lies on the Via Baltica and the Rail Baltica rail line; Kaunas is about 50 kilometers away. The best time to visit is May through September.