Medvegalis Hill Fort, Šilale, Lithuania

Medvėgalis was a 14th-century hill fort in Samogitia, located in present-day Šilalė District Municipality. It was first mentioned in 1316 in written texts and was one of the most important and strongest Lithuanian forts in the area. It was attacked by the Teutonic Knights over 20 times throughout history, including the Siege of Medvėgalis in 1329, when it fell to the Teutonic forces and its defenders were converted to Catholicism.

The settlement at the hill fort complex lies to the southwest and northeast of the fort. It was put in order in 2006 by the Varniai Regional Park and the Ministry of Environment. The fort was the subject of a poem by the poet Maironis.

References:

Wikipedia

Prehistoric and archaeological sites in Lithuania

Address

4106, Šilale, Lithuania

See all sites in Šilale

Details

Founded: 14th century
Category: Prehistoric and archaeological sites in Lithuania

More Information

en.wikipedia.org

Rating

4.8/5 (based on Google user reviews)

Interesting Sites Nearby

Telsiai Cathedral (40,3 km)
Taurage Castle (42,4 km)
Plokstine Missile Base (53,4 km)
Molavenai Hill Fort (37 km)

User Reviews

Marius Ivaskevicius (2 years ago)
The first hill I came to left a good impression on me, the place is easy to get to, there is a parking lot next to the hill, it is convenient to climb to the top, the view is beautiful, but I think this mountain is smaller than Shatrija and Shatrija gives me the feeling of wow, but that was not the case here. But it was fun to visit, I think it's worth coming, as far as I know, there are still bike paths here, so there is something to do :)

Dalia (4 years ago)
Wonderful place, great views, climbing to the top of Medvėgalis hill. Be sure to visit.

Jolita Levickienė (4 years ago)
Navigation leads inaccurately, you need to be careful. But worth it

Aušra Pauparienė (4 years ago)
Wonderful place.

Arturas Brovka (4 years ago)
Nature is beautiful, spring.

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Photo from Flickr, copyright Zvonimir Hrvoj

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The beginning of the building of the church was placed to the second half of the 8th century, and it is supposed to have been completed in the 9th century. The Zadar bishop and diplomat Donat (8th and 9th centuries) is credited with the building of the church. He led the representations of the Dalmatian cities to Constantinople and Charles the Great, which is why this church bears slight resemblance to Charlemagne's court chapels, especially the one in Aachen, and also to the Basilica of San Vitale in Ravenna. It belongs to the Pre-Romanesque architectural period.

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Medvegalis Hill Fort