Greetings! We recently returned from a trip to Lithuania (lith-oo-ay-nee-uh; country #98), where we were able to experience Vilnius (vill-nee-us) and surrounding areas. Below, you will find information and photos from our trip. Please note that, while there may be references to countries engaging in ongoing conflicts or wars, these references should not be interpreted as an endorsement of or negative opinion/judgement about what is happening to or with those countries, places, conflicts, or wars.
Lithuania (locally called Lietuva [lee-eh-too-vah], which means “rain”) is a country in an area known as the Baltics, as it lies on the Baltic Sea in northeastern Europe. It is the largest of the Baltic States, with a population of 2.8 million people, 610,000 of whom live in the capital of Vilnius. Vilnius gets its name from a river that flows through the country, which means “small way,” and flows into another river.
Lithuania is known for its amber, which can be found around the country and throughout the Baltics. It is easily accessible, and is often made into jewelry and other items. The Virgin Mary above, which is displayed in a church in one of the former capitals of Lithuania, was made with/from amber.
Similarly to many countries in the region, Lithuania was under the rule of other countries (namely, Germany and Russia) for many centuries, and much of their history revolved around religion. Paganism was commonplace in Lithuania until 1387, when Christianity was introduced, and that is the last time that paganism was known to be practiced in the country. Over time, the Germans and Russians ruled and brought their own expectations with regard to religion, and there continue to be churches that reflect those periods of time. To that end, there are 53 churches in Old Town Vilnius, and many other churches around the country.
The First Two Capitals of Lithuania
Lithuania’s history includes two cities that served as the capital of the country before the current capital, Vilnius. Kernave (kur-NAHV; 40-minute drive from Vilnius) was the first capital of Lithuania. One of the main attractions in Kernave is the cathedral, which was built in the 1920s. The city currently has a population of 200, and it continues to be a place that is important historically (especially its ties to Catholicism) and archaeologically.
Kernave also consists of five hills that were formed from glaciers. It was established in an area that was on a river, and houses were built near the hills during Soviet times. There is a replica of a 14th century town that shows what the area looked like at that time. This area became unsafe within Kernave’s history because the Germans were able to cross the river and attack the people who lived there.
Trakai was the next capital of Lithuania, holding the title for seven years before the capital was relocated 28km/17mi east to Vilnius for access to the river in Vilnius. Trakai is surrounded by lakes, and is known for bringing soldiers from Crimea due to their skill in culinary arts, desserts of which can be found on Lithuanian menus today.
The Trakai Island Castle (photo above), known for its Gothic architecture, was built in the 14th century and is situated on Lake Galve, which is one of Lithuania’s deepest lakes. It was built for the Grand Dukes of Lithuania as their residence, and took on other uses (including a prison) until it was abandoned during a war in the 17th century and fell into disarray. The castle was rebuilt in 1951, and now serves as a museum.
National dishes in Lithuania include potato dumplings, potato pancakes, and other potato dishes, often made with meat or fish (usually salmon, herring, or shrimp).
Lithuania declared independence in 1918 via their Act of Independence, which was maintained until 1940. However, Lithuania was occupied by the Soviet Union during World War II, and was a republic of the Soviet Union until 1990, when Lithuania literally joined hands with its Baltic neighbors – Latvia and Estonia. In 1989, two million individuals from the capital cities of the three Baltic nations joined hands to create a human chain across the three countries in a quest for independence. Lithuania subsequently established itself as independent via their newly-elected parliament in March of 1990, and the Soviet Union eventually acknowledged Lithuania’s independence in September of 1991. Lithuania became a member of the European Union (EU) and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) in 2004.
Lithuania was a unique country to visit, with a lot of history and fascinating culture, particularly its connection to the other Baltic States. It is relatively easy to get to, and is a safe place to visit. Until next time, take care and be well…