Palanga – a park-city where nature and architecture speak the same language – makes waves at the Venice Biennale

This May in Venice, at one of the world’s most prestigious architecture exhibitions, Lithuania opened its national pavilion titled “Archi/Tree/tecture”, curated by the Lithuanian Union of Architects. Among the standout projects representing the country are three from Palanga – Lithuania’s largest seaside resort – where trees are not obstacles but equal partners in architecture.

These include: the summer reading room of the Martynas Mazvydas Library (architect Albinas Cepys), which preserves a centuries-old oak growing at its center; the “Kupeta” exhibition pavilion (also by Cepys) near the historic Birute Park, harmoniously blending into its natural surroundings; and the “Zilvinas” hotel complex (architect Algimantas Leckas), whose creative design allows visitors to experience architecture in close connection with the surrounding trees.

One of the world’s leading contemporary architecture events

Since 1980, the Venice Architecture Biennale – held every two years – has been one of the most significant events in global contemporary architecture. This year, Lithuania’s participation is organized by the Lithuanian Council for Culture, with Dr. Jurate Tutlyte serving as the Pavilion Commissioner. The Biennale runs from May 10 to November 23, 2025, at the historic Santa Maria dei Derelitti church in the heart of Venice.

Mature trees and buildings as equal partners

“This year’s Lithuanian pavilion presents our country as a place of original, sustainable, and nature-conscious architecture, where mature trees and buildings coexist as partners,” architect Gintaras Balcytis, the pavilion’s concept author, curator, and chair of the Lithuanian Union of Architects, told The Baltic Times Magazine.

“In the three Palanga projects, spatial proportions are carefully balanced. Trees or groups of trees become both the starting point of the architectural concept and the core of the site’s identity. This is especially important at a time when trees are often cut down without hesitation,” Balcytis notes.

Palanga is not only Lithuania’s most popular seaside resort but also a city that defines its identity through a unique relationship with nature. Nestled among pine forests by the Baltic Sea, Palanga is rightfully called a park-city. From a bird’s-eye view, about 80% of its territory is green space – mostly natural pine groves.

Landscaping as an asset

According to Vytautas Indreika, Chief Architect of the Palanga City Municipality, modern architecture in Palanga strives to uphold the same harmony with nature: “We recommend designing modern hotels, apartment complexes, or even spa centers in ways that visually ‘disappear’ into the landscape – using forms, colors, and materials that blend seamlessly into the natural surroundings. Vegetation is strictly protected during construction, and special attention is given to preserving pine trees. It’s encouraging that many architects now see trees not as obstacles but as major assets,” Indreika told The Baltic Times Magazine.

A city where greenery dominates

Palanga’s story of harmony with nature goes back more than a century. In the late 19th century, the Tyszkiewicz family – founders of the Palanga resort – promoted a respectful coexistence between people and nature. Under their patronage, Birute Park was created – today one of Lithuania’s most beautiful parks, designed by renowned French landscape architect Edouard Andre. Here, vegetation, pathways, and small architectural forms come together in seamless aesthetic unity.

An unurbanized coastline

Palanga’s urban development continues to be shaped by respect for nature – especially along the coast. There are no permanent buildings on the beach – no cafes, hotels, or commercial structures on the sand. Only the sea, dunes, and sky reign here.

Thanks to this conscious approach to urbanism, Palanga’s coastline remains natural and unspoiled, allowing people to connect directly with nature. Walking along the beach or gazing from the dunes, one’s view is undisturbed – just the shimmering Baltic waves and the wide-open sky. This rare opportunity to disconnect from urban noise and digital overload fosters a deep sense of calm, reflection, and spiritual restoration.

Architecture that merges with nature

To preserve both the continuity of green spaces and the natural landscape, strict architectural regulations are in place. For example, building height is limited – structures may not exceed the height of the surrounding pine trees. This helps maintain a consistent natural silhouette, where buildings blend into the greenery rather than dominate it.

Materials and colors are also chosen with care – using natural, earthy tones that harmonize with pine trunks, sandy trails, and the coastal scenery.

A special part of Palanga’s architectural identity is its historic villas, many of which were built during the Tyszkiewicz era. These include “Anapilis” (now the Palanga Resort Museum), “Dziuljeta,” “Romeo,” and “Vaidilute” – wooden architectural gems from the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Often built in the Swiss or Neo-Gothic style, they feature delicate wood carvings, towers, and lace-like verandas.

Today, these villas are protected cultural heritage sites, undergoing thoughtful restoration and adaptive reuse. Surrounded by trees, they remain a vital part of Palanga’s unique charm and identity.