First published: 16/09/16.

Clyde 2.0

Kernavė

Kernavė (Inscribed)

Kernavė by Clyde

I visited this WHS in August 2016. It's an interesting side trip from Vilnius and can easily be combined with the Struve Geodetic Point of Meskonys. In both cases don't expect to see much. Further reading and using your imagination will be required and even by doing so, most probably these WHS will not rank high on anybody's list. Alas, visiting by car (with a GPS) is quite straightforward and the Kernave Archaeological Site is open and free to visit all year round. The small nearby Kernave Archeological Museum is always closed on Mondays and in July and August is also closed on Tuesdays. Entrance to the museum costs 2 euros and worth visiting to see some of the remains found here as well as some informative videos on the different settlements from Stone Age, Bronze Age, Iron Age, Roman period to the Middle Ages. Lithuania is a country full of hill forts (around 1000) and the 5 hill forts of Kernave are the highlight of the archaeological site. All you'll see (and climb if you want) are 5 mounds with wooden stairs leading to the top. Don't expect to see any wooden forts as they have rotten away quite a long time ago. They are believed to be natural hills which have been adjusted for defensive purposes and they were the main type of ancient settlement since the end of the Bronze Age up to the 14th century. The oldest is the central one known as Altar/Aukuras Hill Fort on top of which was a duke's castle. In the 13th and 14th centuries the 5 hill forts were united into a complex. After climbing the hills and taking in the green landscape and panoramic view of the Neris river, I walked around the foundations of Kernave's old churches (15th century) and the wooden chapelwith hewn logs (18th century) and the stone chapel-mausoleum (19th century). There is a UNESCO information board just before passing the dismantled turnstyles and a UNESCO inscription sign near the hill fort panoramic viewpoint (photo). If possible, try to plan your visit Wed-Sun to be able to at least visit the archeological museum.

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