Can you imagine a small Lithuanian village where national flags or Vytis banners fly at every homestead, and trees, roadsides, and courtyards display 500 colorful birdhouses? Juodonys village in Rokiškis district is not only one of the most unusual places we have visited in Lithuania, but also an inspiring example of what one person’s love for their homeland can achieve. Here you’ll also find one of the most beautiful countryside homesteads, whose owner, Bronius Juzelskis, has been recognized for preserving ethnocultural traditions and for his initiatives that shaped the unique face of Juodonys.
Juodonys village in Rokiškis District and the unique Broniaus Homestead
Juodonys village in Rokiškis District truly stands out and deserves a spot on your must-see list. At its heart is Bronius Juzelskis’s countryside homestead, locally called “Braniaus sadyba.” Actually, the name appears in dialect on purpose, preserving the region’s language and identity. The homestead sits on Bronius’s family land, right near the Juodonys mound. In addition, it is beautifully surrounded by nature and water. Because of this unique setting and dedication to local tradition, Juodonys offers visitors a special experience you won’t find elsewhere.
The story began in 1998, when Bronius moved an old wooden granary from his ancestors’ homestead in Mikniūnai village to Juodonys. In winter, two tractors dragged it on makeshift sleds. He had to dismantle and rebuild it, layer by layer, adding moss between the logs.
Bronius worked hard to save as many authentic details as possible: old doors, a tiny original window, wooden beams, and the traditional roof. The roof alone required about 4,000 thin wooden shingles and 12,000 nails. At first, the granary was for family relaxation, but later he decided to create a countryside guesthouse. Officially, it opened in 2002, with countryside tourism starting in 2006.
The homestead has since been recognized for its preserved ethnocultural elements and for initiatives that helped create Juodonys’s unique identity.
Juodonys village in Rokiškis District and stay at Broniaus Homestead
Today, Broniaus Homestead is a large space for relaxation and celebrations. You can choose from several accommodation options. Some of the most interesting are two “Inkilas” treehouses, small cabins for two with a bathroom and outdoor kitchenette.
You can also stay in the two-story “Ula” villa, “Vilma” apartments, “Neptūnas” cabin, “Jonė” villa, or the small “Matas” cabin with a private sauna. A special highlight is a sauna house by the water that’s about 150 years old. There are also larger buildings for groups, with kitchens, event spaces, terraces, and grills.
The homestead has activities for both relaxation and adventure lovers. You can go boating or cycling, fish, and play basketball and volleyball. Guests have access to fire pits for family picnics or evenings by the fire.
After an active day, you can choose one of several saunas or relax in a hot tub. The grounds also include a playground, spots for tents, gazebos, table tennis, and billiards. Pets are welcome.
Very close to this homestead – Bronius’s relative, who paints all the decorative birdhouses in the village, has set up a cozy guest cabin where you can also stay overnight and relax. If you’re looking for a place to rest or spend the night in Rokiškis district – Brolių Namukas is a warm and comfortable choice.
A single person united the whole village
“Broniaus sodyba” is important not just as a place to stay or celebrate. Most of the ideas that made Juodonys famous started here. Juodonys may be a small village, but you’ll notice its uniqueness even before you reach the center. You’ll see not only Lithuanian tricolors but also Vytis, Kamajai, and European Union flags. These aren’t just for holidays – they’re part of the village’s identity. Bronius first decorated his property with flags and birdhouses, and soon others joined in.
That’s why this homestead best tells Juodonys’s story – the owner’s love for his home, his desire to preserve old buildings, dialect, and Lithuanian traditions. It all started with one granary from his great-grandparents, which Bronius turned into a symbol for the entire village.
500 colorful birdhouses
Flags are only one part of Juodonys’s uniqueness. Another can’t-miss feature is the 500 colorful birdhouses.
You’ll see them on trees, poles, buildings, and along the village road. Some are painted in Lithuania’s tricolor, others are blue, red, green, yellow, or decorated with patterns. Some stand alone, while others form colorful compositions.
The birdhouse count grows every year. For example, in 2019, there were about 100, and by 2022, the number reached around 300. Bronius made and installed several dozen new birdhouses each year. Now, you’ll find about 500 in Juodonys and around the homestead.
Moreover, Bronius built most of them himself. They’re not just decorations – in spring, many of them host nesting birds. As you walk through the village, listen for birdsong coming from these unique houses.
A monumental welcome – Vytis at the village entrance
Flags aren’t the only reminder of the residents’ love for Lithuania. At the entrance to Juodonys, a monument features Vytis, the national anthem’s lyrics, and the number “100,” marking the centenary of Lithuanian independence.
Bronius Juzelskis proposed and funded the monument, while sculptor Valentinas Šimonėlis carved Vytis into the stone. The monument isn’t just for Bronius or his homestead – it greets everyone arriving in Juodonys and stands as a gift to the whole village.
Patriotism here isn’t just a decoration. Instead, it is visible at every home, along the roads, in the birdhouses, and, most importantly, through community initiatives that have brought local people together.
Why visit Juodonys and stay at Broniaus Homestead?
Juodonys isn’t a typical tourist spot with a ticket office or visitor center. It’s a living Lithuanian village whose uniqueness reveals itself as you drive slowly, looking at the homesteads, flags, and colorful birdhouses.
It’s important to respect residents’ privacy – don’t enter private yards, and park your car so it doesn’t block anyone. To learn more about Bronius’s story, stay at his homestead.
Juodonys’s story reminds us you don’t need a big budget or complex projects to change your environment. Actually, sometimes, one idea, a few flags, and someone brave enough to start is all it takes.
