The buildings will speak in Panevėžys during the weekend: what is necessary to visit?

AS SOON AS

The Panevėžys branch of the State Social Security Fund Board (SODRA), often called the Sodra building, is almost invisible against the background of the surrounding buildings. However, this magnificent twentieth century. The example of late postmodern architecture from the late 20th century is striking not only with its flawed and colorful hallways, but also with its exceptional exterior. Combining various geometric shapes, the architect Elvyra Klimavičienė created a building in constant movement, but at the same time static. The architect says there was no lack of joy in his work, which is why he even “crumpled” the walls of the building. There is much more behind them than a few identical offices – the building is full of undisclosed secrets. Would you have thought that you could find a bunker and a sauna and pool complex in your basements?

Aukštaitija sports complex

The Jonas Putna-designed Sports Palace (formerly Sports Complex) is the second project of its kind in Lithuania after Kaunas Sports Hall and the first was built during Soviet times. The Palace of Sports is characterized by the architecture of early Soviet modernism. Looking at the building, one can see the characteristic features of the buildings of that period: symmetrical facades, a small vertical division from the outside, a massive roof that emphasizes the entrance, ascetic volumes. When you enter the building you will see little change as only minor repairs have been made since its construction. Also, there are a number of interesting spaces hidden within the building. One of them is the large basketball hall, where not only sports competitions were held, but also the first concerts in Panevėžys, circus shows, during which large Indian elephants even appeared on stage.

House of Commons

This 1977 design was started and the building, which emerged only a decade later, can be called the then mecca of culture and art of Panev yžys, not without reason. At a glance, its massive, late-modernist volumetric expression catches the eye, which, divided into smaller and smaller elements, forms a brilliant and memorable staircase motif. The impression remains elsewhere: outside, visitors are greeted by mirror glass cabinets made in East Germany, and the windows in the main hall are decorated with GL Baginskienė and others. stained glass windows of the authors. Although it is built with typical materials, the building of the Panevėžys Community Palace will not leave you indifferent.

Annex of the Information Computing Center

This building generally goes unnoticed by passersby, perhaps because you have to look up from the sidewalk and turn your head to see its uniqueness. The building, designed by the architect and guitarist of the legendary group “Antis” Arūnas Blūšius, is special not only for its purpose, to house computer machines and their service rooms, but also for the exterior, considered a great example of late modernism. The complex composition of the building’s facades combines rigid and plastic forms, monumental volumes, but at the same time the exterior is divided by expressive verticals and windows. According to the architect himself, significant savings were achieved in the design of the building. However, its value at that time was almost 1 million. rubles.

Art theater

Having started out in a one-story brick building, today’s “Art” can certainly be considered one of the most special places in Panevėžys. Since the 20th century. The Iluuzija cinema, which operated intermittently in the 1930s, was decorated with the first neon sign in Panevėžys. it was named as it is known until now – under the name “Meno” and became the most modern Panevėžys cinema. Various reconstructions not only transformed wide-screen cinema into a theatrical scene, but also combined interwar, Soviet-era, and 20th-century movies. late architectural trends. This combination creates a special play of spaces and architectural elements, so don’t be surprised if you feel like you’ve moved to Kaunas for a moment during the tour.

Panevėžys is a city to discover, but rich in exceptional architecture. We invite both Panevėžys residents and city visitors to make sure of this from September 12-13 and listen to the city, which really has something to show and say. More about the project “The buildings speak. You can find the Panevėžys ”building program and its visiting hours on the website.