When you travel through the green forests of the Molėtai region and approach Lake Urkis, nature begins to speak. The wind whispers in the treetops, mist drifts over the water’s surface, and a longing cry hangs in the air. Could it be the seagulls? Or perhaps it’s Urkis himself, the king forever transformed into a lake, calling for his daughters? Among people, this sound is called ‘Urkavimas’ (a mournful wailing), and several magical legends are associated with it.

In ancient times, near this lake stood King Urkis’s manor—a magnificent palace, of which no trace remains today. Legend has it that Urkis was a powerful but stubborn ruler. Fearing evil forces or the envy of enemies, he kept his three daughters locked away as his most precious secrets. However, the girls, whose beauty surpassed sunsets, longed for freedom. One night, while their father was away, they escaped. And then the sky fell—lightning struck, the earth opened, the manor sank into the swamps, and the daughters turned into screaming seagulls.
When Urkis returned and found nothing, his soul was so overwhelmed with grief that he became a lake. Lake Urkis. And since then, every night, a mournful cry can be heard in its waters, as if he is still searching for his daughters. People still believe: it’s not the seagulls ‘urkauja’—it’s their father calling.

Others say that in Lake Urkis lives Urkė—a mysterious water goddess. She appears only at night when the moon bathes the water in silver. Then the lake quietly speaks. And those who listen hear Urkė’s song, called ‘Urkė’s Harmony’—a secret sung by hundreds of women’s voices.
It is said that Urkė is not dangerous, but alluring. Her song can draw people too close to the water or into the treacherous swamp. But to those who respect nature, she sings like a beautiful fairy tale. If you want to hear her—come to Inturkė, close your eyes, take a quiet breath… and listen.

Not only the water but also the forests speak. Near Urkis stands the Alkūnai Oak—the oldest tree elder in the entire region. Its roots penetrate deep into the earth, and its trunk has witnessed thousands of sunrises. It is said that it speaks—talks to people, sings May songs, remembers children’s games, and even prayed with priests at its trunk.
It is the heart of the forest, a witness to the joys and sorrows of all generations. And when you stand in its shade, you can feel the flow of time—not in years, but in centuries.

But the greatest transformation of this land began when Queen Bona went hunting. She ventured into the depths of the forest, chasing a moose, until she got lost among the mist, moss, and ancient trees. Alone and in panic, she found herself on the shores of Lake Urkis. And then she prayed to the Heavenly Mother, promising: ‘If I am saved, I will build a church here.’

Miraculously heard, Bona found her way back. And she kept her promise. Near the lake, a church arose, around it—the town of Inturkė, named so because people would say: ‘here—on Urkis.’ The promise became reality, and the place—a beacon of hope.
An ending that continues…

Today, when you stand by Urkis, when you listen to the wind among the reeds or the piercing cry over the water—it’s not just nature. These are the legends reborn. About love, loss, secrets, and promises. About people, gods, and spirits who seem to still guard this land.

This patch of earth is not just a place on a map. It’s a place where myths breathe in the mist.