The third largest river in Lithuania, the Venta, flows comparatively slowly across the district, making broad curves in picturesque valleys. There are about 14 lakes, 18 ponds and several marshes in our area.

Forests covers 31.8% of the district, close to the Lithuanian average. Most forests are immature or coppice woods: pine, spruce, birch and alder. The Gubernija, Gulbinai and Rekyva Forests are the largest.

The rest of the district's territory (about 40%) is occupied by arable land. Meadows spread over large areas.

The most important town is Kursenai, which is situated on both sides of the river Venta. Documentary sources record that a considerable settlement existed there in 1561.

King Zygmunt August ordered a wooden church to be built in Kursenai in 1523.

The close of the 19th century brought more activity when a railway network was built. Kursenai is a railway center now. Its roads lead to all parts of Lithuania.

Decorative and applied art is being developed, including not only unique works but also mass production of various kinds of ceramics and pottery.

Kursenai is famous for its old ceramic and pottery traditions, now produced in a modern plant.

Kursenai is known for its natural resources and exploitable minerals: clay, chalk, sand. The town has a large building materials company which satisfies the requirements of the Lithuanian building industry.

A wide network of meat and milk processing plants extends all over Lithuania. Kursenai has a modern butter and cheese dairy.

The Kursenai sugar refinery is one of the oldest in Lithuania. It produces sugar for the confectionery industry and for daily consumption.

The town has a House of Culture which unites lovers of songs, music and drama. A choir, song and dance groups, dramatic circles, and a village band hold performances there.

There are four secondary schools and a technical school providing secondary and technical education.

During the years of restoration, lots of monuments to the defenders and fighters for freedom appeared, built by local craftsmen.

There are also other towns which attract visitors: Gruzdziai, Meskuiciai and Kurtuvenai.

There are about 470 national monuments in the Siauliai district. At the end of the 19th century and the beginning of the 20th in Lithuania as in many countries, architecture borrowed from old styles. Examples include many churches of the district, e.g., at Meskuiciai (19th century), and Kurtuvenai and Pakape (18th century). There are also old palaces built in different styles.

There looms a mound which until the 14 century served as a fortress against the Knights of the Livonian Order.

People call it the Hill of Crosses because its top is studded with various crosses.

Many crosses were erected there after the uprising of 1831-63. By the end of the 19th century (1895) there were already 150, in 1914 200, and in 1940 there were 400 big crosses and thousands of small ones. During 1961-75 local funtionaries tried to destroy this unique monument, and pulled down more than 5000 crosses.

However, crosses appeared on the hill again. They were built not only by neighbouring inhabitants but people from all over Lithuania, and even foreign countries brought them there in gratitude to God for His mercies.

The reputation of the Hill of Crosses spread all over the world. Every year it is visited by thousands of people.

The Bubiai mound, the archaeological monument dating from the 5th-14th centuries.

The Hill of Crosses - the hill of hope and pain.