KernavÄ—

Kernavė ( German, 18th Century: Kernau ) is the earliest known capital of Lithuania, and is located northwest of Vilnius.

In the 13th century Kernavė was a feudal town with five fortresses. Today, from the prehistoric castles only hill left. The bulk mountains so-called were first mentioned in 1279 in the Livonian Chronicle. The largest, the " Throne of Mindaugas " said to have been the seat of the legendary King Mindaugas. On the "victim Mountain" should have been held in pre-Christian times sacrificial ceremonies. The Baltic states were forcibly converted in the 13th century. On the "Mountain of Lizdeika ", the last pagan high priest is said to have withdrawn to the "holy virgins " and the "Holy Fire". Lizdeika was the nickname of the Lithuanian chief priest. Between the hills, the remains of a settlement dating from the 3rd and 4th century have been found. Kernavė was also home to the legendary Grand Duke Traidenis.

It is just a little more than 300 people in the nearby village town, seat of the homonymous administrative district of Rajongemeinde Širvintos.

Nevertheless Kernavė has not lost its fascination. The view from the hills to the valley of the Neris River, a tributary of the Neman is impressive. The site was added to the UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2004.

Geographical Location: 54 ° 53 'N, 24 ° 52' O54.88527777777824.860833333333Koordinaten: 54 ° 53 'N, 24 ° 52 ' E