Kernavė Archaeological Reserve
Kernavė Hillforts · Kernavė Cultural Reserve
Mesolithic to Medieval (c.7000 BCE–1390 CE)·Baltic (Lithuanian)·🇱🇹 Vilnius County, Širvintos District, Neris Valley, Lithuania
About
About Kernavė Archaeological Reserve
UNESCO World Heritage ensemble in the Neris valley 35 km NW of Vilnius, with five hillforts (Aukuro, Mindaugo, Lizdeikos, Pilies and Kriveikiškis), unfortified settlements, burial fields and medieval town remains spanning 10 millennia. Capital of the Grand Duchy until destroyed by Teutonic Knights in 1390, Kernavė preserves undisturbed stratigraphy of Baltic pagan-Christian transition, ironworking and town planning under Grand Duke Mindaugas and successors. Annual archaeological festival reenacts the site.
Why it mattersUNESCO World Heritage ensemble in the Neris valley 35 km NW of Vilnius, with five hillforts (Aukuro, Mindaugo, Lizdeikos, Pilies and Kriveikiškis), unfortified settlements, burial fields and medieval town remains spanning 10 millennia. Capital of the Grand Duchy until destroyed by Teutonic Knights i
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Location of Mindaugas' coronation church 1253
- 02Cause of valley town abandonment after 1390
Theories
- 01Kernavė as sacral-pagan capital preceding Vilnius
- 02Five hillforts as kin-group strongholds of a confederation
Theories are interpretations, not findings. The seal above tells you how much scholarly weight the place carries.
History
How it came to be
- Built
- Hillforts from Iron Age; medieval town 13th century
- Period
- Mesolithic to Medieval (c.7000 BCE–1390 CE)
- Culture
- Baltic (Lithuanian)
- Purpose
- Hillfort capital of early Lithuanian state and sacral landscape
- Excavation
- Excavation ongoing
On the ground
Structures & features
54.8866° N · 24.8295° E · 90 m · 3 mapped features
Aukuro Kalnas (Altar Hill)
hillfortLargest hillfort 598×380 m, pagan cult site with burnt offering layers
54.8875° N · 24.8300° EMindaugo Sostas (Throne of Mindaugas)
hillfortHillfort with medieval town layers, residence of Grand Duke Mindaugas
54.8858° N · 24.8290° EPajauta Valley Settlement
settlementAlluvial valley with stratified 2 m cultural layers, workshops and burial field
54.8860° N · 24.8310° E
Gallery