 Varniai was the center of Samogitian episcopate until the middle of the 19th century, when authorities of the Russian Empire moved it to Kaunas.With support of Merkelis Giedraitis, Mikalojus Daukša translated and made ready for publication "Katechizmas", the first Lithuanian language book printed in the Grand Duchy of Lithuania, then part of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth.It was also residence of Motiejus Valančius.