Location: Map
Kernavė (German, 18th century: Kernau) is the oldest known
capital of Lithuania, located northwest of Vilnius, with a
little over 300 inhabitants. It is the seat of the district of
the same name in the Rajongemeinde Širvintos.
In the 13th
century, Kernavė was a feudal town with five fortified castles.
Today only mounds remain of the prehistoric castles. The
so-called heaps of rubbish were first mentioned in the Livonian
Chronicle in 1279. The largest, the "Throne of Mindaugas", is
said to have been the seat of a legendary king of Mindaugas.
Sacrificial ceremonies are said to have been held on the
"Sacrificial Mountain" in pre-Christian times. The Balts were
not forcibly converted until the 13th century. The last pagan
high priest is said to have retreated to the "mountain of
Lizdeika" with the "holy virgins" and the "holy fire". Lizdeika
was the nickname of the Lithuanian chief priest. The remains of
a settlement from the 3rd and 4th centuries were found between
the hills. Kernavė was also the home of the legendary Grand Duke
Traidenis.
The Catholic Parish Church of the Virgin Mary
Scapular in Kernavė was built in 1910-1920 in the neo-Gothic
style.
From the hills there is a view of the valley of
the Neris, a tributary of the Memel. The place was inscribed on
the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2004.
Kernave is a park that covers lands of the former capital of Grand
Duchy of Lithuania. It is located on the right bank of the Neris
River, 35 km from Lithuanian capital of Vilnus. In Kernave you can
trace the history of Baltic people, learn the formation of the
Lithuanian state. First human settlements date back from the 10th
century BC to the Middle Ages. Large villages already existed here
in the first century AD. In the 13th century Kernave is mentioned in
the annals of G. Warthberg.
Kernave military fortifications contained a castle of great prince
and five forts that stood on the high mounds. All of these defenses
created a multiple defensive walls to protect the capital of
Lithuanians. In 1390 the village was sacked by the invading
Crusaders and burned to the ground. Since then the settlement was
not rebuild and stayed intact through centuries.
Despite its violent end, Kernave offers a great glimpse into the
past of pre- Christian period. In summer months of July and August
administration of Kernave archaeological park holds "Days of Live
Archaeology" where they demonstrate ancient crafts, ancient music
and others. Additionally the tourists can participate in favourite
medieval past times like riding horses, archery, bashing each other
with swords and other fun things we know and love. Another massive
and crowded holiday is celebrated around July 7th or Midsummer Day,
occasionally associated with Slavic day of Ivan Kupala. Ancient
customs and rituals are recreated on the site of the ancient
capital.