Drink from a magical spring to bring health in the coming year, leave a pebble next to a statue of the patron saint of travel and dream of future adventures or whisper a prayer to a wish-fulfilling angel. National Tourism Promotion Agency "Travel in Lithuania” and tourist information centers offer to do all this so that the festive miracle brings a better year and returns the joy of travel. A map of magical places throughout Lithuania for the fulfillment of your wishes.
"The Christmas season is primarily a time of hope and wonder. This year is unique only in that all of our wishes are very similar, and the miracles are very mundane. We want to hug our longed-for friends and loved ones again, we want to enjoy freedom, travel and experience discoveries. So allow yourself to wish and express your wishes out loud, and maybe these holidays will bring a miracle", says Neringa Sutkaitytė, local tourism expert of "Travel in Lithuania".
Find a magical place to grant your wish. There are at least 55 of these in Lithuania. Discover a few of them, and look for the full list here.
- At Kelukis (the sculpture of the patron saint of travelers in the Mythological Trail in the Sirvėta Regional Park in Švenčioni district), a tradition was born to bring a pebble, believing that it would help during the journey. People bring their pebbles to this stone and dream about their future journeys.
- Goddess Laima. People stop by the sculpture of Laima, also called Dalia, near the Liepai gazebo (Švenčioni district) to ask for the blessing of the goddess Laima. Once, when Marija Civinskiene, the owner of the Šventa manor, became seriously ill, she ordered the hired men to take her to the Liepai gazebo, where she lay under the tree canopy for whole days and recovered her health. People still come there to stay and ask for health.
- Fisherman's boots. Catching the fish of life? Jump into the magical fisherman's shoes (Jaunimo St., Molėtai). On their hall is written: "Measure yourself too - you will get a lot of happiness".
- Source of smorgasbord. After wading through the Smardone spring in Likėnai (Biržų district) along a specially adapted section with railings, it will give you a lot of health and strength.
- Countess' cats. Legend has it that the founder of the city of Marijampole, Countess Pranciška Ščiukaitė-Butlerienė, loved and cared for cats very much. So it is not surprising that in the old town the countess's cats playing with water appeared (Kęstučio st. 1, inner courtyard, Marijampolė). The yard quickly became everyone's favorite place, and the townspeople noticed that if you make a wish and pet all three cats, it really does come true. Unfortunately, cats with a Suwalkian character do not fulfill financial wishes. Although it's definitely worth a try.
- Cyclist. In the city square of Ignalina, guests of the city are welcomed by the sculpture "Bicyclist". To make the trip really successful, you need to give him a high five.
- Bear's nose. There is a wish-fulfilling bear in Telšiai. The sculpture "Legends of Žemaitija" created by R. Quintos depicts a bear carrying teddy bears and Žemaitijas on her back - the mother of Žemaitija. The sculpture reminds people of the legends still alive in the people about bears that helped the inhabitants of Zemaits to raise and raise children. Here, if you gently rub the bear's nose, you can expect good wishes to come true.
- Angel. The town of Plutiškii in Kazlų Rūda has its own angel, to whom local residents and guests of the city entrust their greatest wishes. You only need to carry your wish in your heart, pray to the angel and surrender the wish to the Angel's will - one way or another, they will come true. An angel holds a tiny baby in his arms and seems to protect everyone's wishes.
- Hare. Rokiški's Hare is waiting next to the library on Independence Square. You just need to approach, rub your nose and quietly whisper a wish in your ear. And all that remains is to wait.
- A cat with a gentleman's face. For many years, a granite sculpture of a cat with a gentleman's face (Kalvių st. 13) has become an object of attraction in the old town of Klaipėda. Twice after the rampage of vandals, the sculpture was restored, but soon disappeared again. in 2006 in the summer, on the occasion of the city's birthday, the cat returned to its place in the square on Kalvių street. A cat is a cat - it walks, leaves and comes back whenever it wants. Back then, the "Old Town Cat" had secret powers. If he didn't lose them while wandering, you won't be long to see for yourself - rub his tail and make a wish.
- Mouse. The old town of Klaipėda (the intersection of Kurpių and Kepejų streets) is decorated and famous by a miniature sculpture made of bronze and stone - "The Magical Mouse". The sculpture is surrounded by a bronze band with the words: "Turn thoughts into words - words will become miracles." According to the authors, the mouse is magical and will fulfill good wishes. All you have to do is whisper them into the magic mouse's ear.
- Wish stone. Near Lopaičių mound (Rietava district) - Wish fulfillment stone. Some people believe that it is absolutely necessary to place a stone with a wish on it, others, on the contrary, believe that a stone cannot be placed here, because that stone is heart-shaped and there are many heart-shaped marks on it. It is said that the best wishes come true when you come empty-handed, with a clear conscience and a long-held, matured wish in your heart. If you put your palms to the stone and ask sincerely, your wishes will come true in no time.
