The Šventoji (; ''The Holy One'') is the longest river that flows entirely within
Lithuania
Lithuania, officially the Republic of Lithuania, is a country in the Baltic region of Europe. It is one of three Baltic states and lies on the eastern shore of the Baltic Sea, bordered by Latvia to the north, Belarus to the east and south, P ...
and the largest tributary of the
Neris
The river Neris () or Vilija (, ) rises in northern Belarus. It flows westward, passing through Vilnius (Lithuania's capital) and in the south-centre of that country it flows into the Nemunas (Neman) from the right bank, at Kaunas, as its ma ...
. It originates from Lake Samanis in the
Gražutė Regional Park and flows into the Neris near
Jonava
Jonava () is the ninth largest city in Lithuania with a population of .
It is located in Kaunas County in central Lithuania, north east of Kaunas, the second-largest city in Lithuania. It is served by Kaunas International Airport. ''Achema'', t ...
.
[ The longest tributary of the Šventoji is the Širvinta.
The Šventoji passes through the cities of ]Anykščiai
Anykščiai (; see #Name, other names) is a ski resort city in Lithuania, west of Utena, Lithuania, Utena. The Roman Catholic Church of St. Matthias in Anykščiai is the tallest church in Lithuania, with spires measuring in height. Anykščia ...
, Kavarskas and Ukmergė
Ukmergė (; previously ''Vilkmergė''; ) is a city in Vilnius County, Lithuania, located northwest of Vilnius. It is the administrative center of the Ukmergė District Municipality.
Ukmergė (Vilkmergė) was mentioned for the first time as a ...
. In 1963–1964 a dam
A dam is a barrier that stops or restricts the flow of surface water or underground streams. Reservoirs created by dams not only suppress floods but also provide water for activities such as irrigation, human consumption, industrial use, aqua ...
near Kavarskas was built to replenish the Nevėžis
The Nevėžis (; ) is the List of rivers of Lithuania, sixth longest river in Lithuania and one of the main tributaries of the Neman (river), Nemunas. The long Nevėžis flows entirely within Lithuania.[European Union
The European Union (EU) is a supranational union, supranational political union, political and economic union of Member state of the European Union, member states that are Geography of the European Union, located primarily in Europe. The u ...]
.
Tributaries
The following rivers are tributaries to the river Šventoji (from source to mouth):
*Left: Šavaša, Vyžuona, Aknysta, Taurožė, Beržuona, Elmė, Anykšta, Virinta, Dagia, Širvinta
*Right: Kriauna, Nasvė, Jara, Pelyša, Vadaksta, Grieža, Latava, Biebė
References
Rivers of Lithuania
{{Lithuania-river-stub