uždaryti

                                                                             BIRŠTONAS

 

Nature monuments

Meanders of the Nemunas - V.Valužis' photo

 The Regional Park of the Great Nemunas Loops

It is one of the largest regional parks in the country covering the area of over 25 thousand hectares. It was established in 1992.  The territory of the Regional Park of the Great Nemunas Loops covers a major part of Birštonas Municipality and part of Alytus and Prienai Districts. The aim of park establishment is to preserve the unique landscape, natural and architectural monuments, rare species of plants and animals. The "author" of this landscape is the Nemunas River which runs in the directions of all the countries of the world and in the stretch of 65 km forming three impressive meanders of Punia, Balbieriškis and Prienai - Birštonas. In some places the depth of the Nemunas valley reaches up to 40 m.


 
Škėvonys Exposure - R.Jakaitis' photo The Exposure of Škėvonys

It is one of the best known rock exposures of alluvium period in the slopes of the Nemunas valley. Extending in a stretch of more than a half of kilometre the exposure is a unique section of Škėvonys ridge with clear layers of the sediments of the two last glacial periods and interglacial period.  The remaining decayed crust is of the thickness of 1 - 2.5 m (redly brown and yellow belt is visible in the height of 5 m above the water). The height of exposure seeks 33 metres. From 1984, the Exposure of Škėvonys is a national nature monument.  It is also included in the list of the most valuable geological objects in the Northwest Europe.  The exposure is best visible when sailing in Nemunas or from the other side of the river - in Giraitiškės resort.

  
Siponys Exposure
The Exposure of Siponys
Siponys village, Birštonas Municipality, Lithuania
 

Siponys Exposure is 35 m in height and 600 in length. The rocks of the last geological period of our planet (alluvium) stratify in it: i.e., sand, gravel, clay and till. The lateral forms possibly the thickest four layers. It is conserved in the Siponys Landscape Conservation. In 1997, the exposure was declared a geological nature monument.  The exposure is best visible when sailing in Nemunas.


Archeological-historical monuments

Birštonas Mound - G. Česonis photo The Mound of Birštonas (Vytautas Hill)
Located in the South-Eastern part of the Vytautas Park
GPS N 54° 35' 53''
         E 24° 01' 59''

It is one the highest (the height of slopes is up to 40m) and best known mounds in Lithuania. At the end of the XIVth century a wooden castle of Birštonas was standing on the top of the mound and was a part of Trakai Duchy defence system and one of the hunting manors of Vytautas. The castle was first mentioned in historical sources in 1382 when, according to Wigand of Marburg, one of the three parts of crusaders' army attacking the Trakai Duchy "went towards Birštonas castle, but pulled back shortly". The mound of deep springy washes with slimy springy swamp and castle surrounded by consolidated lower ward was repeatedly attacked by the crusaders yet never taken. In 1401 Birštonas was mentioned as Manor of Vytautas, whereas in 1423 - as a hunting manor of his wife Julijana Vytautienė.  At that time, the castle was visited by dukes and other noblemen who arrived for hunts. Once in a while the castle was also used as a shelter from wars and other upheavals. King Casimir IV Jagiellon residing with his family in the castle of Birštonas in 1473, was hiding from the plague raging in the country.  Later, the castle lost its defensive significance and fell into ruins until the XVIIth century. In 1953, the archaeological exploratory researches of the mound were carried out by the Lithuanian Institute of History.  Thrown and mould ceramics with rugged surface was found. The findings are preserved in the National Museum of Lithuania. In 1968, the archaeologists determined the territory of the mound.  The mound is listed in the register of cultural values (the unique number 22963).
 
 

 Paverkniai Mound - G. Česonis photo
The Mound of Paverkniai
Situated on the left bank of Verknė, Medeikonys village, Birštonas municipality
 

This hill of the height of 14m is called as the Hill of Ginkus, Žydeikoniai and Kisieliškės by the locals.  In the XI-XIIth centuries, a wooden castle which was twice attacked and burned by the enemies used to stand on the mound  The major part of the mound has been destroyed due to erosion and part of the mound has slid towards the Verknė River.  Only the western slope and escarp remained.  In 1953 and 1971, the exploratory archaeological researches of the mound were carried out by the Lithuanian Institute of History, whereas in 1994 the researches were led by archaeologist Gintautas Zabiela. The newest researches were carried out in 2010. The mound is listed in the register of cultural values (the unique number 22967).Archeological-historical monuments

Birštonas Mound - G. Česonis photo The Mound of Birštonas (Vytautas Hill)
Located in the South-Eastern part of the Vytautas Park
GPS N 54° 35' 53''
         E 24° 01' 59''

It is one the highest (the height of slopes is up to 40m) and best known mounds in Lithuania. At the end of the XIVth century a wooden castle of Birštonas was standing on the top of the mound and was a part of Trakai Duchy defence system and one of the hunting manors of Vytautas. The castle was first mentioned in historical sources in 1382 when, according to Wigand of Marburg, one of the three parts of crusaders' army attacking the Trakai Duchy "went towards Birštonas castle, but pulled back shortly". The mound of deep springy washes with slimy springy swamp and castle surrounded by consolidated lower ward was repeatedly attacked by the crusaders yet never taken. In 1401 Birštonas was mentioned as Manor of Vytautas, whereas in 1423 - as a hunting manor of his wife Julijana Vytautienė.  At that time, the castle was visited by dukes and other noblemen who arrived for hunts. Once in a while the castle was also used as a shelter from wars and other upheavals. King Casimir IV Jagiellon residing with his family in the castle of Birštonas in 1473, was hiding from the plague raging in the country.  Later, the castle lost its defensive significance and fell into ruins until the XVIIth century. In 1953, the archaeological exploratory researches of the mound were carried out by the Lithuanian Institute of History.  Thrown and mould ceramics with rugged surface was found. The findings are preserved in the National Museum of Lithuania. In 1968, the archaeologists determined the territory of the mound.  The mound is listed in the register of cultural values (the unique number 22963).
 
 

 Paverkniai Mound - G. Česonis photo
The Mound of Paverkniai
Situated on the left bank of Verknė, Medeikonys village, Birštonas municipality
 

This hill of the height of 14m is called as the Hill of Ginkus, Žydeikoniai and Kisieliškės by the locals.  In the XI-XIIth centuries, a wooden castle which was twice attacked and burned by the enemies used to stand on the mound  The major part of the mound has been destroyed due to erosion and part of the mound has slid towards the Verknė River.  Only the western slope and escarp remained.  In 1953 and 1971, the exploratory archaeological researches of the mound were carried out by the Lithuanian Institute of History, whereas in 1994 the researches were led by archaeologist Gintautas Zabiela. The newest researches were carried out in 2010. The mound is listed in the register of cultural values (the unique number 22967).

Archeological-historical monuments


Birštonas Mound - G. Česonis photo The Mound of Birštonas (Vytautas Hill)
Located in the South-Eastern part of the Vytautas Park
GPS N 54° 35' 53''
         E 24° 01' 59''

It is one the highest (the height of slopes is up to 40m) and best known mounds in Lithuania. At the end of the XIVth century a wooden castle of Birštonas was standing on the top of the mound and was a part of Trakai Duchy defence system and one of the hunting manors of Vytautas. The castle was first mentioned in historical sources in 1382 when, according to Wigand of Marburg, one of the three parts of crusaders' army attacking the Trakai Duchy "went towards Birštonas castle, but pulled back shortly". The mound of deep springy washes with slimy springy swamp and castle surrounded by consolidated lower ward was repeatedly attacked by the crusaders yet never taken. In 1401 Birštonas was mentioned as Manor of Vytautas, whereas in 1423 - as a hunting manor of his wife Julijana Vytautienė.  At that time, the castle was visited by dukes and other noblemen who arrived for hunts. Once in a while the castle was also used as a shelter from wars and other upheavals. King Casimir IV Jagiellon residing with his family in the castle of Birštonas in 1473, was hiding from the plague raging in the country.  Later, the castle lost its defensive significance and fell into ruins until the XVIIth century. In 1953, the archaeological exploratory researches of the mound were carried out by the Lithuanian Institute of History.  Thrown and mould ceramics with rugged surface was found. The findings are preserved in the National Museum of Lithuania. In 1968, the archaeologists determined the territory of the mound.  The mound is listed in the register of cultural values (the unique number 22963).
 
 

 Paverkniai Mound - G. Česonis photo
The Mound of Paverkniai
Situated on the left bank of Verknė, Medeikonys village, Birštonas municipality
 

This hill of the height of 14m is called as the Hill of Ginkus, Žydeikoniai and Kisieliškės by the locals.  In the XI-XIIth centuries, a wooden castle which was twice attacked and burned by the enemies used to stand on the mound  The major part of the mound has been destroyed due to erosion and part of the mound has slid towards the Verknė River.  Only the western slope and escarp remained.  In 1953 and 1971, the exploratory archaeological researches of the mound were carried out by the Lithuanian Institute of History, whereas in 1994 the researches were led by archaeologist Gintautas Zabiela. The newest researches were carried out in 2010. The mound is listed in the register of cultural values (the unique number 22967).