Sculpture of Žaltis Vyž

Vyžuonos is a small town and centre of the municipality, located by the Vyžuonos River, which flows into the Šventoji River. The name of the place most probably derives from this river, although the local inhabitants derive the name of Vyžuonos from the pagan god Vyžas, who took the form of a grass snake. He has been a symbol of the area since ancient times and is even depicted on the Vyžuonos coat of arms. A sculpture of the Grass Snake Vyžas greets you at the entrance to the town. A sculptural arrow-signpost depicting the Grass Snake was erected in 1979, created by two artists from Vyžuonos, sculptor Henrikas Orakauskas and painter Algirdas Indrašius. In 2016, a sculpture of the Grass Snake, created by folk artist, sculptor Vytautas Šemelis (Sirutėnai, Utena district) was unveiled on the occasion of the 610th anniversary of the town.