Few cities in Lithuania can boast a history as long and rich as Šiauliai. This year, the northern Lithuanian capital is marking an impressive milestone – its 790th anniversary. As part of the celebrations, residents and visitors will have a special opportunity to visit the historic Gubernija brewery. After last year’s hugely popular free tours, this year they will be held over two days to meet the curiosity of Šiauliai residents and city guests. The Gubernija HUB visitor centre is organising four free tours, during which up to 200 participants will be able to learn about the brewery’s history, visit its authentic cellars and taste internationally recognised non-alcoholic beverages produced here.
“This year, Šiauliai is celebrating its 790th anniversary, so the entire programme of events has been designed as one continuous story about the city’s identity, history and people. Through the main symbols of the Šiauliai coat of arms – the bull, the bear, the ducal cap and the Eye of Providence – as well as the motif of the Sun, we are travelling through the most important stages of the city’s development, brought to life through exceptional events. In September, during Šiauliai Days, the event cycle ‘The power of the Sun. The ducal cap’ will invite people to explore the city’s stage of maturity, creative potential and prosperity. We are delighted that not only cultural, educational and sports communities, various organisations, but also local businesses are contributing to the anniversary-year programme, together creating new experiences for Šiauliai residents and visitors and enriching the city celebration,” says Deimantė Bačiulė, Director of the Šiauliai Cultural Centre.
According to Vidmantė Mickevičienė, Head of Visitor Centres at MV GROUP Production, Šiauliai Days means much more to one of the city’s oldest businesses than a partnership with the city celebration – it is an opportunity to contribute to a community with which the history of Gubernija has been inseparably connected for more than 360 years.
“Last year, together with the city, we celebrated the 360th anniversary of Gubernija, became a patron of the celebration and gifted the city a concert by Jazzu. This year, as Šiauliai marks its anniversary, we decided to expand our contribution even further – on the final day of the celebration, we will gift residents and guests concerts by Donatas Montvydas and Gabrielė Vilkickytė. After all, we have a lot in common – we want not only to create a festive atmosphere, but also to open up our historic spaces to people. That is why we are inviting them to free tours, where they will be able to get to know one of the city’s oldest industrial heritage sites up close,” says V. Mickevičienė.
A chance to discover a historic local business
Last year, the free tours organised by Gubernija attracted exceptionally strong interest – all places were booked within a very short time. The organisers also received a great deal of positive feedback from visitors, confirming that initiatives of this kind are both needed and appreciated by Šiauliai residents and city guests.
“The free tours organised during last year’s Šiauliai Days showed that visitors greatly value the opportunity to discover places that are not accessible on an everyday basis. Guests were especially impressed by the brewery’s mysterious cellars, authentic atmosphere and the lively, good-humoured stories told by the guides, who turned historical facts and legends into an engaging experience. We are pleased that Gubernija HUB has become one of the city celebration’s most memorable cultural stops, and that visitors left not only with new knowledge about Lithuania’s industrial heritage, but also with a strong sense of community and celebration,” says V. Mickevičienė.
To respond to the exceptionally high interest in Šiauliai’s industrial heritage and brewing history, this year Gubernija will hold tours over two days – on 11 and 12 September. On 11 September, the tour will take place at 18:00, while on 12 September tours will be held at 12:00, 15:00 and 18:00.
Each group is expected to include up to 50 people, meaning that up to 200 participants in total will be able to take part in the tours. Registration is required for everyone. Last year, registration attracted enormous interest – all places were booked within just a few hours of opening. Those wishing to immerse themselves in Lithuania’s industrial history are therefore encouraged not to wait and to register as soon as possible.
You can register for the tours https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSe28kFEYzt9BOXmrKXQxuR5T7rhk6C1NhRJiJldKNnXojgZJQ/viewform?usp=send_form . Those who register will receive all information by email. To ensure convenient arrival, the organisers will provide transport for tour participants from the city centre to Gubernija and back.
A journey back to the times of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania
Tour participants will be able to explore spaces that are not usually open to the public and hear stories about the development of both the brewery and the city itself. During the programme, visitors will descend into the historic Gubernija cellars, which date back to the times of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania. This place is important not only to the history of the brewery – during the Lithuanian press ban, Lithuanian books were hidden and distributed here, and the cellars became one of the most important book-smuggling sites in northern Lithuania.
Visitors will also be able to taste non-alcoholic beverages produced at the brewery. According to the organisers, more people are choosing experiential tourism, which allows them to discover history not only by hearing about it, but also by experiencing it through taste, scent and an authentic setting.
After reopening in 2024 following renovation, Gubernija HUB has become an important space for the city’s culture and industrial heritage. The modern 240 sq. m centre features tasting, exhibition and retail areas, where visitors can explore the brewery’s history spanning more than three and a half centuries.
