Adutiškis & Voblast de Viciebsk Border Crossing

A Closed Rural Railway Line

Important Note for Travelers: This is a railway crossing that has been closed for many years and is not operational. There are no cross-border services. This guide is provided for historical and informational purposes only.

The railway border crossing that once connected the Lithuanian village of Adutiškis with Pastavy (Postavy) in Belarus is a journey back in time to an era of local, regional rail connections. This was not a major international corridor but a secondary line that meandered through a scenic landscape of lakes and forests. The railway line itself is unique because it crisscrossed the Lithuania-Belarus border multiple times in a short span, a legacy of its construction in the 19th century when this was all one territory within the Russian Empire. The story of this crossing is one of changing borders, declining local rail, and eventual closure, a silent testament to the political and economic shifts of the 20th century.

Operational Details

This checkpoint connected the Švenčionys District Municipality in Lithuania with the Pastavy Raion in the Vitebsk Region (Viciebskaja voblasć) of Belarus. The key operational point was the Adutiškis railway station, which, in a unique arrangement, was located on Lithuanian territory but was operated for many years by Belarusian Railways. This was because the station served a line that primarily ran through Belarus. This is a “break-of-gauge” point, where the standard-gauge network of Lithuania meets the broad-gauge network of Belarus, though the line on the Lithuanian side was also broad gauge for a time to facilitate cross-border traffic.

Before Crossing

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A History of a Meandering Border

The history of this railway line is a perfect illustration of how borders can create logistical absurdities. The line from Pabradė (Podbrodzie) in Lithuania to Pastavy in Belarus was built as a single line within the Russian Empire. When the new border between Poland (which then controlled the Vilnius region) and the Soviet Union was drawn in the 1920s, the line was cut. After World War II, with both Lithuania and Belarus as Soviet republics, it became an internal line again. With the restoration of independence in 1991, it became an international border once more. The village of Adutiškis was split in two by the border. For years, a local diesel train ran from Vilnius, passing through Adutiškis, and continuing to Pastavy, requiring border checks on the train. This service was a vital link for the local communities.

Former Border Procedure

The border crossing procedure for the local train, when it was running, was an on-board affair. Lithuanian border guards would board the train at one of the last stops in Lithuania to conduct exit checks. The train would then proceed to Adutiškis, where Belarusian border guards, who were stationed there by agreement, would board to conduct entry checks. This was a slow process, but it was a fascinating example of cross-border cooperation designed to keep a local train service alive. The service was eventually suspended in the early 2000s due to economic and logistical reasons, and the crossing has been defunct ever since.

The Surrounding Lake Districts

The surrounding region is known for its exceptional natural beauty. On the Lithuanian side, the crossing is in the Švenčionys district, an area that is part of the Aukštaitija National Park and the Labanoras Regional Park, a vast expanse of forests and over 300 lakes. It is one of the most popular areas in Lithuania for kayaking, hiking, and rural tourism. On the Belarusian side, the line leads to the town of Pastavy, which is situated between several lakes. The area is part of the Narachansky National Park, the “Blue Lakes” region of Belarus, which is similarly renowned for its pristine natural environment. The railway line was a potential gateway for eco-tourism between these two beautiful lake districts.

Closure and Legacy

The final closure of the Adutiškis-Pastavy railway crossing was a quiet end to a long story. It was not closed due to a major political crisis, but rather due to the declining economic viability of local cross-border rail services and the logistical complexities of the border. The tracks on the Lithuanian side have since been converted to standard gauge, making any future reopening of the old service impossible without major reconstruction. The station at Adutiškis now stands silent.

Final Considerations

The Adutiškis–Pastavy railway crossing is a ghost of a bygone era. Its story is a poignant reminder of how borders can dissect local infrastructure and how the grand political changes of the 20th century led to the slow decline of many local connections. It is a route that exists now only on old maps and in the memories of the local people who once relied on it. The silent tracks are a testament to a shared past and a disconnected present, a quiet corner of the border where the trains no longer run.