Budgetary institution Šiauliai Tourism Information Center
Vilniaus st. 213-90, LT-76348 Šiauliai

BOULDERS IN LITHUANIA

Interesting places, Siauliai

Location of service provided

Šiauliai city

For people with disabilities

Universally adapted for everyone

The current landscape of Lithuania was formed by the last ice age, which ended 10,000 years ago. As the glacier moved, it brought many boulders from the northern territories to our region.

Granite stones are the most common in Lithuania. A huge layer of granite up to 30 km thick has formed on the territory of our country. Granite is a coarse-grained crystalline rock with outstanding durability and resistance. It forms from magma that slowly cools and solidifies underground. Slowly cooling magma crystallises and forms large crystals. Granite is distinguished by its variety of shades and patterns. Granite stones can be found in Šiauliai in the territory of Republican Šiauliai County Hospital.

In the Stone Age, various tools and weapons were made from boulders. Later they were used for building defensive fortifications, castles, churches, other buildings and roads. Today, boulders are used to make foundations, monuments, rubble and other building materials. Sculptures are created from granite, using its the natural properties: coloured (usually grey, brown, pink shades of various tones) and textured surfaces. Granite is also dressed and polished.

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