Zarasai, Zarasai District Municipality
Aukštaitija
lake observation platform
D. Bukonto g., Zarasai
55.72818, 26.24426
20-45 minutes
summer evening or autumn, when the islands and shores of Lake Zarasas are easiest to see
Lake Zarasas Observation Circle
A City Viewpoint above the Lake
The Zarasai Observation Circle stands on the eastern shore of Lake Zarasas, on the D. Bukonto Street side. It is not a classic tower but a circular raised walkway that works as a city gateway to the lake panorama. VLE calls it the only viewpoint of this type in Lithuania.
VLE states that the circle was designed in 2011 by architect Šarūnas Kiaunė, with engineer Adomas Sabaliauskas. It is a larch walkway about 100 m long, rising from the high lake shore, encircling a 34 m diameter ring whose highest point is 17 m, and descending back toward the steps.
What You See from the Circle
The main view is Lake Zarasas with its islands and shoreline greenery. The lake is sizeable, about 323.4 ha, with a maximum depth of 36.6 m. It has four islands: Italijos, Putinų, Liepų, and Didžioji. Didžioji, or Great Island, covers 39.43 ha, is connected to the town by a bridge, and is one of Lithuania's largest lake islands and a summer-event space.
From the observation circle you can see how the town opens toward water. Zarasai is a lake town, so lakes are not a separate resort accessory; they shape the town silhouette, event spaces, and routes toward Great Island. A 1.4 km pedestrian and cycle path also runs around the lake.
An Architectural City Symbol
The observation circle has become one of Zarasai's most recognisable contemporary symbols because its shape differs from ordinary wooden or metal towers. Seven X-shaped steel supports of different heights carry the walkway; it moves slightly underfoot, has stainless-steel railings, and its main lighting is built into those railings.
Its value has also been recognised internationally. In 2012 the Zarasai Observation Circle was among the 25 best works out of 347 entries from 36 countries in the European Prize for Urban Public Space. From below it reads as a sculptural city accent; from above, as a calm point for observing the relationship between lake and town.
Zarasai Context
Zarasai is also distinctive for its town plan: the old part has a fan-shaped layout, the only one of its kind in Lithuania; before 1837 it was radial. In September 2008 the town received resort-area status, and the observation circle fits this image of rest and water landscape.
This context helps you see the circle not as a single tourist platform but as a contemporary continuation of a town long shaped by roads, a square, and lakes. From the circle, it is worth continuing along the shore or toward Great Island.
Visiting
At the time of research, official sources listed the observation circle as free and open year-round since mid-September 2011. In winter, during events, or when surfaces are slippery, follow local signs.
For the viewpoint itself, 20-45 minutes is usually enough. For better photos, choose sunset or autumn, when the lake shores have more colour. In summer it combines easily with a walk to Great Island.
