The Legend of Truskovskis’ Gold
It is said that during the uprising, by the manor pond, Truskovskis together with the treasurer retrieved barrels of treasure and took them to the Truskava forest (now Pašiliai Forest) near Lieležeris Lake. The treasure was buried beneath a strange tree, as if grown from one stump – an oak, an ash, and a birch. For a long time afterwards, locals going into the forest, supposedly to pick clubmoss, would carry long iron rods with them...
History of Truskava
1794 – Then-owners of Užžartai manor, Jonas and Barbora Truskauskas, built a church on a hill, dedicated to the Descent of the Holy Spirit. At their request, the settlement was named Truskava.
1811 – Their son Kazimieras Truskauskas established the Truskava parish.
The manor hill was later excavated; today there is a quarry and a swimming site. The road to Krekenava now passes through this place. On the right side lies the quarry, and on the left – the village of Dvariškiai, formed after the manor lands were distributed to people. Stanislovas Krištanaitis was born there.
Uprisings and Resistance
Kazimieras Truskauskas – one of the leaders of the 1831 uprising in Upytė district. Even after the rebellion was suppressed, he continued partisan warfare in the Truskava forest, resisting several Russian army attacks. His courage gave rise to both real and legendary tales.
Fr. Jonas Karbauskas – founded the secret Lithuanian society “Žiburėlis”, organized underground schools, and distributed Lithuanian press.
1863 – In Suradgalis village was born Fr. Antanas Vytartas, book smuggler, publisher, and organizer of Lithuanian press distribution.
1912 – In Truskava was born Fr. Stanislovas Krištonaitis, political prisoner, ethnographer, and author of a detailed Truskava parish history.
Wars and Commemorations
1918 – About sixty young men from Truskava joined Lithuania’s fight for independence; six of them fell. Their memory is honored by a black granite monument erected in 1925 at the Truskava churchyard.
World War II – Truskava suffered greatly: almost the entire town and church burned down. During Soviet times, 11 chapels in the churchyard were bulldozed; only one remains.
Parish Life and the New Church
Throughout the Soviet period, parishioners fought for their place of worship. Permission to build a new church was granted in 1988, before Lithuania regained independence.
The present Church of the Holy Spirit was built in 1998 (architect A. Paulauskas), under the leadership of Fr. Petras Baniulis.
Above the church doors stands sculptor Juozas Kęstutis Patamsis’ “Blessing Christ”.
Interior artworks include:
Stained glass “Stations of the Cross” by Simonas Gutauskas
Pulpit “Eagle and Three Evangelists” by Jonas Tvardauskas
Sculpture “Apostle Thomas Meets the Risen Christ” by Rimantas Idzelis
Stained glass windows by Vytautas Švarlys
7-meter-high E. F. Walcker organ (German firm).
In the churchyard:
2009 – “Our Lady of Šiluva” sculpture by folk artist Henrikas Galvanauskas
2011 – ceramic pillar by Kęstutis Krasauskas, marking the 200th anniversary of Truskava parish.
Other Historical and Cultural Highlights
Cemetery chapel of St. George (built 1860 by Fr. Vincentas Prialgauskas, buried nearby).
Sculpture symposia in 2009–2010, organized by Fr. Simas Maksvytis, enriched the town square with works by Lithuanian sculptors (G. Akstinas, V. Jatulevičius, J. Tvardauskas, G. Varnas, A. Vasiliauskas).
Local legends tell of two Napoleonic soldiers hiding in the Truskauskas forest (Pašiliai), in a place called “French Hill.”
1927 – President Antanas Smetona visited Truskava.
Partisan resistance after WWII – The first anti-Soviet group was organized by teacher Antanas Krištanaitis. The longest active unit was led by Vincas Gėgžna (codename “Balandis”), which for a time protected partisan leader Juozas Šibaila (Merainis), a signatory of the 1949 Declaration. He was killed in 1953 in Dovydai forest.
Pavermenys
1 km east of Truskava lies Pavermenys village, with a preserved manor estate including palace, outbuildings, park, and linden alley. The settlement was first mentioned in 1585. From the 18th century, the manor belonged to the Brunov family, who intermarried with the noble Kosakauskas and Tiškevičius families. Marcelina Brunovaitė married Benediktas Karpis, one of Lithuania’s wealthiest nobles, and was the mother of Ignotas Karpis. Today Pavermenys hosts the Truskava Local Heritage Museum “Seklyčia”. It is also the administrative center of Truskava eldership.
Must-See Places
Truskava sculpture square
Recollection House (formerly St. Vincent de Paul orphanage)
Wooden chapel
Church of the Holy Spirit with sacred artworks and monuments
Pavermenys manor estate
Truskava Local Heritage Museum “Seklyčia”
