5 little-known attractions in Lithuania
Route traveler caught in Lithuania, as a rule, passes a small ancient town located 53 km from the popular Kaunas. And for good reason: cozy and well cared Kedainiai able to tell no less fascinating stories about ancient Baltic than filled with tourists Trakai. Old town, first mentioned in the “Livonian Chronicle” in 1372, was founded by a successful businessman Kedaygenom, made a fortune on fishing. Many centuries Kedainiai was associated with a landmark for the Grand Duchy of Lithuania originally Radziwill and no less famous family Kishek: Diets boyars gathered here Zhemoytii and reigns Reformation. All the pages of history preserved historic center Kedainiai that engulfed 87 hectares, not only flourishing ON, but decline caused by Russian-Polish war and the big fire that occurred in the late 17th century, and the third section of the Commonwealth, which deprived the city government, and fierce battles with the Red Army. Here peacefully while away their days brick church of St. George, built in the mid 15th century, the oldest synagogue in Lithuania, opened in 1784, the wooden church of St. Joseph, built by monks Carmelites in 1704, Calvinists and Lutherans temples and even the country’s only minaret perpetuate the memory of the Crimean War.
How to get there: from Vilnius to Kedanyay can get on your own car – to the west on the highway A1 to the village Babtai, then north-east on the highway in 1906, the road will take about half an hour – or by public transport. Up to four trains Kedainiai goes fastest of them, 023T, leaving in the direction of Siauliai, will take you to your destination in 2 hours and 2 minutes. Departure at 13.50 every day.
Kernave
Birthplace of Lithuania, Lithuanian nothing called Troy: severe fate awaited the first Lithuanian capital. In the early 13th century, seeking to avoid the invasion of the Crusaders, who settled on the banks of the Vistula River, known from the history books Duke Mindaugas united land near Kernavė and created a new state. Capital city from a modest settlement quickly developed into a large fief, whose motto was “Rather lose life than freedom.” No sooner said than done: in 1390 Kernave as the legendary Troy, was captured and burned by the Crusaders. Where once seethed with life, today conducted the most extensive archaeological site in Lithuania. Kernave turned into a historical and archaeological museum, seek the right to be included in the World Heritage List of UNESCO. Road through the mounds, defending from curious visitors unexcavated part of the ancient city, is a stone chapel marking the site of the first church Kernavė and then bypassing Perun stone, and the Museum of Architecture, storing the most interesting findings of the reserve. In today Kernave, numbering three hundred inhabitants, there is even a cafe for those tired of walking guests. In July, there are days of living history: Pictures of the former pagan life come alive before the eyes of the guests Lithuanian Troy.
Location is away from the railway, so drive from Vilnius is possible only on your own car – west on Highway 5212, the road takes about forty minutes.
Salantai
A small town an hour away from Kretinga, was a stronghold of the Jews of Lithuania: According to the census in 1847, two-thirds of Salant were Jews. During the Polish uprising of 1830, designed to reunite the divided neighboring empires Rzeczpospolita, a small but formidable Salantai was the first Lithuanian settlement where battles began. Unusual story connected with the emblem of the city, captured the rooster on green background: say, the alarm cry live on one of the hills Salant sounded without end as long as the mountain is not cock-a chapel was built. The most remarkable place modest settlement is absurd Museum, built a Franciscan Vilius Orvidasom on their own allotments. Famous mystic, received architectural skills from his father, specialized in tombstones, was always glad to visitors, looks at the light: for them, he created many unusual buildings. Dugouts, sheds, huts clung from what was, boulders, wood, metal and own whimsical sculptures. Supplemented with a strange kind of family farm Christian shrines and ancient monuments, collected Orvidasom throughout Lithuania to escape from Soviet authorities, as well as contrasting them with missiles and tanks. Look in unusual, but in its own attractive skyline reminiscent Lukomorie can be from 10.00 to 19.00 on all days except Mondays and Tuesdays.
Salant reach from Vilnius can again only on your own car. Way to be not a short, about two hours drive away. Necessary to move to the west on the highway A1. Before the intersection with Highway 164 should turn right to go to the 169 freeway and head west. Although a long road, but good and you can admire the beautiful scenery of Western Lithuania.
Kamanskie swamp
Scientists claim: the strange swamp Europe we have inherited from the Ice Age. Scary swamp, bog insidious, threatening to tighten its unknown depths, the ancient lake, there are already 12 000 years – thus appears before the lovers of extreme tourism State Reserve Kamanskie swamp located in northern Lithuania. It seems that even the trees grow here somehow wrong: rare black alder if drowning in the thick mud, trying to get free. Dozens of rare plants hides Swamp Bog, and many wild animals and birds unique feel so relaxed here that does not respond to the tourists. Kamanskie marshes are so unpredictable, and how perfect: walking here can only be under the supervision of a local guide. However, to enjoy the atmosphere Kamanskih swamps, not necessarily get dirty in the mud: in the Visitor Centre, equipped with the latest technology, you can not just look at the wealth of nature, but also touch them. One has only to put your hand in a special recess – and that’s already present on the palm marsh rosemary, stupefying head, or a piece of snakeskin, the remainder of molting. Just click on the button – and the swamp alive, exploding discordant chorus sounds of wildlife. Another button – and the day gives way to night, opening up new panoramas.
How to get from Vilnius: on your own car you need to move north on Highway 144, then turn at the intersection of the highway A9 right. In the north, at Siauliai, Vilnius daily goes about five trains. Last sent at 17.40 local time.
Biržai Regional Park
If you are in Biržai edge, be careful with the words thrown into the hearts of “Yes gorblimy!” May well be true. One kilometer Karayimishkisa Landscape Reserve is more than a hundred karst failures – so there is not anywhere else in Lithuania. About the largest and most famous crater, named Cow cave say a huge opening depth of 12.6 meters and a width of 10, once failed cow. “Stay on the goat horns and legs,” and from the poor guy – just an iron chain, stretching deep into the earth. “Cow’s cave” – a paradise for cavers, freaked karst network mazes: it five branches, and even has a small underground lake. Just a few karst lakes, more and more interesting, await travelers who went on a trip to another part of the reserve – Kirkilayskie karst openings. Learn about how and why any funnel being born karst lakes and geological wealth which hides this region, you can interactively Birdzhayskogo center of the park. Here you can immerse yourself in the sinkholes, play a game of “Ecosystem karst lakes” and be in the heart failure at the time of its occurrence.
Trains in these parts do not go, you can drive from Vilnius only by car – you need to move to the north on the highway A2, then on the highway A10 to the Exchange.
