Kernavė
Kernavė (German, 18th century: Kernau ) is the oldest known capital of Lithuania and is located northwest of Vilnius .
In the 13th century, Kernavė was a feudal city with five fortified castles. Today only hills are left of the prehistoric castles. The so-called Schüttberge 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 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 The last pagan high priest is said to have withdrawn to the "mountain of Lizdeika" with the "holy virgins" and the "holy fire". Lizdeika was the nickname of the Lithuanian high priest. The remains of a 3rd and 4th century settlement have been found between the hills. Kernavé was also home to the legendary Grand Duke Traidenis.
Only a little more than 300 people live in the nearby village town, seat of the administrative district of the same name in the district of Širvintos .
From the hills there is a view of the Neris valley , a tributary of the Memel . The town was founded in 2004 in the UNESCO - World Heritage added.
literature
- G. Grünig: The journey to the megaliths . Marburg 2004 ISBN 3-8288-8716-3
Web links
- Flickr: Kernavė group on Flickr
- Archaeological Museum
Coordinates: 54 ° 53 ' N , 24 ° 52' E
Heritage: Vilnius Old Town (1994) | Curonian Spit (2000) | Kernavė Archaeological Site (2004) | Struve Arch (2005)