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Wayside Shrine of St. John Nepomuk

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The Daugirdiškės wayside shrine, built in the 19th–20th century, features a cross and a sculpture of St. John Nepomuk and is an important cultural and historical landmark. It was erected between 1830 and 1840 and is dedicated to St. John Nepomuk, the patron saint of drowning victims. The shrine is not only a local monument but also has several legends associated with its origin. It was renovated in 1971 and 1982, and in 1981, a new copy of the sculpture was created.

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Religious Heritage
Elektrėnai Tourism Information Center

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The Daugirdiškės wayside shrine, located on the eastern shore of Lake Moniai, is a significant example of 19th–20th-century small-scale architecture. Built around 1830–1840, it is known as the Chapel of St. John Nepomuk. The shrine stands out with its distinctive architecture: red brick masonry, a white-painted facade, classicist cornices, and a bell-shaped roof. The first section features stone slabs, while the second section contains tall niches with a sculpture of St. John Nepomuk. The oak sculpture, created in the late 19th century, depicts the saint standing on a low pedestal, holding a palm branch and the crucified Christ. The shrine is dedicated to St. John Nepomuk, the patron saint of drowning

victims, and several legends surround its creation. One legend states that the shrine was built after a coachman drowned in the lake while saving his master’s life. Another version suggests that the shrine was erected in memory of Heinrich Römeri, who drowned in Lake Daugirdiškės in 1828. Over the years, the shrine has undergone several restorations, in 1899, 1971, and 1982. During the last restoration, the sculpture was restored, with the original kept in the Trakai History Museum. The new copy was carved by restorer Juozas Kalinauskas. Today, the Daugirdiškės wayside shrine is not only a cultural monument but also an important tourist attraction, preserving the local history and traditions.

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