Lithuanian Castles and the Posibilities
of Their Use for Cultural Tourism
Dr. Albinas KUNCEVIČIUS
Academy of Cultural Heritage,
Vilnius university
The article is concerned with
XIII-XIV c. wooden Lithuanian castles, which were used to fight the
Teutonic knights, and are now only reminded by nearly a 1000 mounds
which are located in the actual territory of Lithuania. The article also
deals with the middle age stone castles which began to be built as the
Lithuanian state was established and started to prosper, and XVI-XVIII
c. bastion and renaissance residential castles.
Both wooden built on mounds and
stone castles are attributed to the same monument category. The
historical development of such a group, its architectural traditions,
possibilities and problems of preservation and the use for cultural
tourism are discussed.
Contact: dr. Albinas Kuncevičius
Academy of Cultural Heritage,
Vilnius University
7 Universiteto str., LT-01122
Vilnius.
Tel.: (+370) 5 2687251. E-mail:
kpa@aiva.lt
Programs, projects
The Living Estates and Castles: The
Development
of Cultural Tourism in
Lithuania and Latvia
Martynas UŽPELKIS, project manager
PI „The Center for Social and
Economic Development“
PI „The Center for Social and
Economic Development“ together with the Lithuanian museum association,
Lithuanian hotel and restaurant association, Latvian castle and manor
association and the Latvian culture, history and nature heritage
development fund presented the PHARE 2002 Cooperation across the border
programme Small projects fund with a bid for the allocation of funds for
the project: „The Living Estates and Castles: The Development of
Cultural Tourism in Lithuania and Latvia“. The aim of the project is to
further develop the cultural tourism across the border, by improving the
marketing of the Lithuanian and Latvian manors and castles and their
integration into the world tourism market, to promote the long term
cooperation between Lithuanian and Latvian museologists and tourism
businessmen as well as the exchange of know-how in the culture and
tourism fields.
Contact: Martynas Užpelkis
PI „The Center for Social and
Economic Development“
3-205 J.Galvydžio str., LT-08236
Vilnius
Tel.: (+370) 5 274 58 70. E-mail:
mu@sepc.lt
Ideas of Construction of a Wooden
Castle in Anykščiai
Asta RAŽANSKIENĖ
Antanas Baranauskas and Antanas
Vienuolis-Zukauskas Museum
In this publication the author
presents a project which envisages a construction of a wooden castle on
the Šeimyniškėliai mound, which would remind of the wars with Teutonic
knights. The only wooden castle in Lithuania, built on one of the
highest mounds would be an impressive tourist attraction, a symbol of
historic memory and of the establishment and flourishing of the
Lithuanian state, a means of building national awareness. The castle
complex which is being created according to the archaelogical and
historic material will be made of a 5 meter wall with galleries around
the perimeter of the mound, 4 towers, a surveying tower, a wooden bridge
across the Varelis brook, the old historic road to the castle (around
the mound) and a wooden bridge across the Volupis stream. Historic
expositions will be situated inside the defensive towers, whilst
educational and cultural events: concerts of ancient music as well as
the Castle theater shows will take place in the castle courtyard. On
2004 May 1 – the day of the Lithuanian accesion into the EU – the first
log foundation has been set.
Contact: Asta Ražanskienė
Antanas Baranauskas and Antanas
Vienuolis-Zukauskas Museum
4 A. Vienuolio str., LT- 29147
Anykščiai.
Tel.: (+370) 381 58015. E-mail:
a.vienuolis@delfi.lt
Medininkai Castle Acquired a Manager
Irena SENULIENĖ
Trakai History Museum
Medininkai castle, which is
situated 30 kilometers from the center of the capital of Lithuania
Vilnius, was built in the end of the 13 th – the beginning 14 th It has
the biggest surface area in Lithuania. In 1991 the fragmentic castle
restoration and conservation began according to the architect
S.Mikulionis project, but for the last four years works have not been
carried out due to the lack of funding. One of the reasons was that the
castle did not have a proper manager. By the decree of the 2004 February
of the Minister of Culture Medininkai castle was transferred to the
Trakai History Museum, situated in the Trakai Peninsula and the Island
Museums. It is envisaged to rebuild the Medininkai castle donjon and
place a museum exposition there, organise various events in the
courtyard: music festivals, concerts, ancient handicraft days – to turn
Medininkai into a cultural tourism magnet not only for Lithuanians but
foreign tourists as well.
Contact: Irena Senulienė
Trakai History Museum
4 Kestučio str., LT-21104, Trakai.
Tel.: (+370) 528 53941, (+370) 528
53940.
E-mail:
trakai.museum@is.lt
Kaunas Castle yesterday, today and
tommorow...
Danutė GRUZDIENĖ
Vytautas the Great War Museum
Kaunas castle situated in a
picturesque confluence of Nemunas and Neris rivers, is one of the oldest
buildings in Kaunas, closely related to the history of the city and is
one of the few remaining in Lithuania XIV-XVII c.
military architecture monuments.
For a long time the manager of Kaunas castle was the Vytautas the Great
War Museum. But by the 2004 June 10th the government decree No.719 the
state-owned Kaunas castle was transferred to the Kaunas city
municipality. In the southeastern tower of the castle, which was
fragmentically restaurated in the 1970-1990ies, archaelogical finds and
ancient weaponry were exposed.
Towards the end of the nineties
due to the worsening tower conditions the exposition was terminated. A
few years ago the Monument Restauration and Planing Institute architects
led by K.Mikšys, presented a vision of the castle reconstruction, which
was based on archeological, architectural, iconographic material
research. This vision was not realised by the Vytautas the Great War
Museum due to the lack of funding. There is a hope that the new manager
will implement it.
Contact: Danutė Gruzdienė
Vytautas The Great War Museum
64 Donelaičio str., LT-44248,
Kaunas.
Tel.: (+370) 37 320765, Fax
+370-37-320765.
E-mail: V.D.karomuziejus@takas.lt
Cooperation
„The Castle“ Association and its
Heritage
Protection Initiatives
Edmundas KULIKAUSKAS
The Association „The Castle“, The
Castle Reconstruction Assistance Fund
This publication throws light on
the association
„The Castle“, its objective being
to support the Lithuanian castle research, regeneration, management and
popularizing. The association was established on 1999 September 8 and
currently holds 50 members in Vilnius,
Kaunas and the USA. The members
of the association cooperate with museums, schools, other cultural
heritage and education institutions, organise cultural,
charity events, contests,
discussions between professionals and the society, which help cultivate
the statehood traditions, strengthen the historic and ethnic self
consciuosness of the nation.
Contact: The Association „The
Castle“
10 Lūkesčių str., LT-04125,
Vilnius
Tel.: (+370) 5 270 67 76, fax.
(+370) 5 270 67 77.
E-mail:
studija@takas.lt,
fondas@lvr.lt
The Cultural – Spiritual Heritage of the Vilnius
Lower Castle
The Dress of the Middle and
Folklore Group „Sedula“
Daiva STEPONAVIČIENĖ
The Castle Research Centre
„Lietuvos pilys“
The publication is about the
Castle Research Centre „Lietuvos pilys“ folkore group „Sedula“ project
„Sedula“: A Modern Glance at the Middle Ages“.
The result of the project – the
recreation and popularization of the medieval costume. The members of
the folklore group „Sedula“ – six women dressed in XV c. clothes,
recreated according to Lithuanian burial monument material stored in
museums – jewellery, metal garment details and textile shreds. They
sing medieval songs, once sung not only in country fields but in the
duke’s halls, now on the ruins of the Vilnius Lower Castle and on the
top of Kernavė mound.
The recreation and coordination of
material and spiritual heritage due to the activity of the group fits
perfectly with modern thinking and conception of beauty. It flows
naturally into the concert space in the ruins of the castle or the
already rebuilt hall.
Contact: Daiva Steponavičienė
The Castle Research Centre
„Lietuvos pilys“
4 Katedros Sq, LT-01100, Vilnius
Tel.: (+370) 5 262 99 88, fax
(+370) 5 212 00 49.
E-mail:
info@lietuvospilys.lt
www.Lietuvospilys.lt
The Martial Arts of the Knights and the
Club
„Medieval Messengers“
Juras VISOCKIS, Vydas NARVIDAS
Trakai Historical Museum
The article presents the activity
of the „Medieval messengers“ club, which strives to revive and nurture
the traditions of the medieval martial arts. A new project is also
mentioned, which in cooperation with the Academy of European Medieval
Martial Arts (AEMMA) aims to familiarise the general public with the
medieval European martial arts. The club „Medieval messengers“ in
Trakai and in other Lithuanian castles organises knight tournaments,
archer contests, cognitive seminars for students and grown ups. An
exposition of the performance material – weapon and armor copies – is
placed in one of the Trakai Island Castle Western casemate towers. Next
to the Island Castle a shooting range has been provided to the seminar
participants and Island Castle visitors were they can shoot with a
crossbow or an arbalest.
Contact: Juras Visockis
The Club „Medieval Messengers“
4 Kęstučio str., LT-21104, Trakai
Tel.: (+370) 687 46691; (+370)
698 40861.
E-mail:
info@viduramziai.lt
www.viduramziai.lt
The Secrets of the Ancient Handicrafts
and the Club of Experimental Archaeology „Pajauta“
Daiva LUCHTANIENĖ
The Club of Experimental
Archaeology „Pajauta“
The publication presents the
development of Lithuanian experimental archaeology and the activity of
the experimental archaeology club „Pajauta“.
The experimental archaeology in
Lithuania dates back to the end of the XIX c., when T. Daugirdas
reconstructed the stone drilling techniques. It gained a wider following
in the XX c. (due mostly to the activity of Šiauliai „Aušra“ museum,
Kernavė Cultural Reservation and Trakai History Museum). Experimental
archaelogy specialists are united by the club „Pajauta“, Established in
2002, it is a member of the international association EXARC. Members of
the club, basing themselves on the Lithuanian archaelogical material
reconstruct prehistorical and medieval sites of material culture. The
club organises festivals, camps, lectures. At the the moment the club
comprises 38 members, 28 handicrafts are being reconstructed. Club
members are the main participants of the international Live archaeology
festival in Kernavė.
Contact: Daiva Luchtanienė
The Club of Experimental
Archaeology „Pajauta“
6-9 Jogailos str., LT- 01116,
Vilnius
Tel.: (+370) 5 26110 62; (+370)
687 87001.
E-mail:
luchtaniene@centras.lt
www.pajauta.tinkle.lt
New Museums and Expositions
The Icongraphy
of the Castle and Weapons in the Tower of the Gediminas’ Castle
Tadas ŠĖMA
National Museum of Lithuania,
Department of History
In the old town of Vilnius at the
confluence of Neris and Vilnelė, on one of the oldest mounds in
Lithuania
lurk the ruins of the Upper
castle. From what once was a great and strong castle only separate
buildings remain: the palace and defensive wall fragments, fundaments of
the southern tower and a three storey (20 m) western tower, inside of
which the Gediminas castle exposition is situated. The exposition space
of the Castle tower is extremely limited, so the showpieces are chosen
so as to highlight the defensive character of the Upper castle.
The base floor houses the bust of
the Great Duke of Lithuania Vytautas (sculptor Vincas Grybas) under
whose rule the stone Upper castle was built. The models of the XIV c.
Upper, Lower and the Wry castles are on the first floor together with
photographs of the Upper castle in the end of the XIX – the beginning of
the XX centuries. The second floor exposes the reconstructed flags of
the Great Duke of Lithuania Vytautas’ troops, authentic XIII – XVIII c.
weapons and ammunition.
Contact: Tadas Šėma
National Museum of Lithuania,
Department of History
1 Arsenalo str., LT-01100,
Vilnius.
Tel.: ( +370) 5 2122821. E-mail:
istorija@lnm.lt
Klaipėda Castle Museum has been
Established
Dr. Jonas GENYS
Lithuania Minor History Museum
In 2002 Klaipėda celebrated its
750th jubilee. To commemorate that occasion on September 1 the Castle
Museum was opened in the territory of the Klaipėda castle-site, set on
the bulwark-bastion.
The museum exposition throws light
on the XIII-XVII c. Klaipėda city and castle development. That is
testified by city and castle models, various drawings, plans and
documents of different time periods. Manequins
with traditional medieval,
renaissance clothes, work tools, armory and weaponry, archaeological
items (ceramics, metal, etc.) demonstrate the life in the castle. Lots
of interesting facts about Klaipėda city and castle can be found by
using the computer and visiting the virtual museum or by playing a
historical computer game.
Contact: Dr. Jonas Genys
Lithuania Minor History Museum
7 Liepų str., LT-92138, Klaipėda.
Tel.: (+370) 46 410523, fax (+370)
46 312139.
E-mail:
info@mlimuziejus.lt
Klaipėda Castle Museum, 4 Pilies str., Klaipėda
Treasures of Sacral Art in the Old
Arsenal of the Vilnius Lower Castle. A Renewed Exposition in the
Museum of Applied Art
On 2004 March 4 a renewed
exhibition was opened in the second floor of the Museum of Applied
Art situated in the Vilnius Lower
Castle. It replaced the long time exhibition of the Lithuanian Millenium
Programme „Christianity in
Lithuanian Art“ (terminated in 2003). For the first time Lithuanian folk
sacral art was demonstrated in the museum halls. More than 250 valuable
folk art works make up the exhibition.
The visitors will be delighted by
the professional sacral fine arts – there are about a hundred paintings
and sculptures from the Lithuanian Art Museum collection and other
collections from churches and palaces, etc.
The icon collection is presented
separately. It has more than 170 works.
All of the items will be on
display for two years.
Prepared according the information
supplied by the Lithuanian Art Museum Public Relations Center.
Contact: Lithuanian Art Museum,
The Centre of Public Relation
4 Didžioji str., LT-01128, Vilnius
Tel.: (+370) 5 2120841; (+370) 687
16739.
E-mail:
muziejus@ldm.lt,
galerija@ldm.lt
Biržai Castle History in the „Sėla“
Museum Exposition
Roma SONGAILAITĖ
Biržai Area Museum „Sėla“
Biržai Area Museum „ Sėla“ is
situated in the XVII c. Biržai castle palace, which was restorated in
1986. The exposition about the Biržai city, estates and castle palace
history is set in four halls in the basement of the palace.
Biržai bastion castle, city
fortification and defense system complex was the only one of a kind in
Lithuania. It was built in three stages. In 1586 by the initiative of
Kristupas Mikalojus Radvila an Italian type square plan bastion castle
was started (finished in 1589). In 1637 thanks to Jonušas Radvila it was
reconstructed into a Dutch type bastion castle. In 1657 Biržų castle was
half destroyed, and the city was burnt down. In 1659 the castle was
rebuilt for the third time. Bulwarks, dikes were repaired, military
barracks, gates, and stables were built, the arsenal was reconstructed.
The construction of the palace which started in 1652 was then still not
finished. During the Northern War the Biržai palace was damaged again –
in 1704 the Biržai castle palace and other bulidings were blown up by
the Swedish invadors. After that the castle lost its defensive purpose.
Biržai castle history in „Sėla“ Museum is illustrated by a copy of
T.Makovskis engravings, where the first Italian type bastion – Biržai
castle is pictured, as well as a model of the second castle (made in
1998, author Valdas Rakutis), and the items found during archaeological
excavations: Kristupas Radvilas Perkūnas’ and other renaissance tiles,
clay dishes, etc.
The history of palace restauration
is illustrated by a stand with photos and plans.
Contact: Roma Songailaitė
Biržai Area Museum „Sėla“
3 J. Radvilos str., LT-41175,
Biržai
Tel.: (+370) 450 31883, Fax (+370)
450 31883.
E-mail:
bkm_sela@is.lt
The New Archaeological Exposition
in the Šiauliai „Aušra“ Museum
Audronė ŠAPAITĖ
Šiauliai „Aušra“ Museum,
Department of Archeology
On 2004 March 5 a new
archaeological exposition
was open in Šiauliai „Aušra“
Museum. It covers
a wast time interval from the
oldest times – the stone age – up untill XVII c. and reflects daily life
in Šiauliai and Šiauliai region. Archaeological exhibits
– the items found in first prewar
expeditions and current findings of archaeological excavations – from
Šiaulių „Aušra“ Museum collection were used to create this exposition.
Lots of reconstructions, subject
paintings, not only archaeological
findings but their environment as well have been shown in the
exhibition. Next to glass
showcases with archaeological items work processes and buildings of
different
periods are represented in open
spaces.
This gives the visitors a real
opportunity to take a look into life of our ancestors hundreds and
thousands
years ago.
Contact: Audronė Šapaitė
Šiauliai „Aušra“ Museum
89 Vytauto str., LT-77155,
Šiauliai
Tel.: ( +370) 41 524390, Fax
(+370) 41 526933.
E-mail:
ausros.muz@takas.lt
Juozas Naujalis Memorial Museum in
the Raudondvaris Castle
Lina LAPIENYTĖ
Juozas Naujalis Memorial Museum
Composer Juozas Naujalis Memorial
Museum (established 2002 January 1) situated in the Raudondvaris castle
is presented in this publication.
More than 1000 items are stored in
the Museum collections. Most of it consists of showpieces reflecting the
life, creative work and community activity ofm J. Naujalis: photographs,
documents, personal items, musical compositions. The other part of the
exhibition is demonstrates showpieces about Raudondvaris town, its
hinterland, the history of its famous peoples lives. The first known
owner of Raudondvaris palace (called a castle from XIX c.) in the first
half of XVII c. was Vaitiekus Dziavaltauskas. Around the mid XVII c. the
palace became J. Kosakovskis’, and in 1652 LGD great etmon J.
Radvila’s property. After his death the palace passed to B. Radvila. In
1662 Vorlovskis paid 30 thousand florins for the Raudondvaris palace. In
the second part of XVIII c. it was property of Zabielos, from XIX c. the
owner became counts Tiškevičiai. During the WWI the High Command of the
occupant German army used the Raudondvaris palace as its headquarters.
Lithuanian Women custody refuge for children was situated in the years
1924 – 1942 in Raudondvaris palace. During the WWII the palace was used
by the German special operations squad which when retreating from
Raudondvaris in 1944 destroyed the palace of the castle. In 1959 – 1973
the Raudondvaris complex was recontsructed according to the plan by
architects S. Čerškutė and V. Jurkštas.
Contact: Lina Lapienytė
Juozas Naujalis Memorial Museum
4 Pilies takas str., LT-54127,
Kaunas region.
Tel.: (+370) 612 53314. E-mail:
naujalis@kaunorkss.lt
In the Exhibition Halls
The Most Important
Facts of the Short Life of Saint Duke Casimire (1458-1484) in the
Exhibition „Vita Sancti Casimiri“
In 2004 the 400 jubilee of the
first confirmation gala in Vilnius of the canonization (1604) of St.
Casimire is commemorated. For that occasion in the Museum of Arts and
Crafts situated in the Old Arsenal of the Vilnius Lower Castle on 2004
March 4 an exhibition prepared by the Lithuanian Art Museum and the
Library of the Lithuanian Science Academy was opened entiteled „Vita
Sancti Casimiri“ (the life of St. Casimire).
More than a hundred and thirty XV
– XX c. manuscripts, prints or their facsmiles, paintings, sculptures,
graphic, textile and gold items are presented in the exhibition “Vita
Sancti Casimiri“. That testifies to a still vital tradition of
worshiping the Lithuania’s patron saint Casimire. Most of the showpieces
are parts of the Lithuanian Art Museum and the Library of the Lithuanian
Science Academy collections.
Prepared according to information
supplied by the Lithuanian Art Museum Public Realations Center.
Contact: Lithuanian Art Museum,
The Centre of Public Relation
4 Didžioji str., LT-01128, Vilnius
Tel.: (+370) 5 2120841; (+370) 687
16739.
E-mail: muziejus@ldm.lt ,
galerija@ldm.lt
The Historical Portrait of the
17th-18th century in Latvia
Anita MEINARTĖ, History Museum of
Latvia
An exhibition etitled „Historical
Portrait of Latvia“ was on diplay 2004 April 22 through June 27 in the
National Museum of Lithuania. Paintings, engravings, medals and coins
from the State Museum of Latvian History (situated in the Riga Castle)
collections, introduce us to the unique art heritage, historical
prcesses of 17th-18th Latvia.
Contact: History Museum of Latvia
Pils laukums 3, LV-1050 Riga
Tel.: ( +371) 7 223004, Fax (
+371) 7 220586.
E-mail: museum@history-museum.lv
Moneyboxes and Piggybanks in the Trakai
Island Castle
Saulius ZALYS
Trakai History Museum
The exibition opened by the Trakai
History Museum (cooperating with Lithuanian museums and collectors) in
the Trakai Island Castle casemate hall, called „Moneyboxes and
Piggybanks in 14th-20th“ is presented in the publication. Saving,
thriftiness, the accumulation of the dowry, the serch for hidden and
forsaken treasure – are common elements of Lithuanian folklore. The
exhibition demonstrates the historical and functional evolution of
moneyboxes, piggybanks and tins. Whilst being a part of the popular
culture, they demonstrate the artistic, economic and even the political
situation of their time. Items concerned with the idea of saving range
from 14th piggybanks to 20th mass produced saving chests. Some of the
showpieces are of high artistic worth, others – just witnesses of their
time.
Contact: Saulius Zalys
Trakai History Museum
4 Kęstučio str., LT-21104, Trakai
Tel.: (+370) 528 53941, Fax (+370)
528 53988.
E-mail:
trakai.museum@is.lt
The Queen with the Shoes of Clay Or the
Affirmation of the Self – Consciousness and the Consolidation of
Mentality in the Works of L. Belvertaitė
Vida MAŽRIMIENĖ
National M.K.Čiurlionis Art Museum
This publication deals with the
Leokadija Belvertaitė (1904-1992) ceramics, sculpture and painting
jubilee exhibition „The Queen with the Shoes of Clay“ which was open in
the National M.K.Čiurlionis Art Museum
(2004.01.22 – 04.04). National
M.K.Čiurlionis Art Museum has a wide collection of this painters’ works.
The time that separate us from the paintings of L. Belvertaitė of 60 –
70 ies convinces us of the need to foresee the social, artistic and
historic worth of items in museology. Those works
of art become the witnesses of
their time, expression of the Lithuanian cultural heritage and its
spiritual mentality. It is also a great possibility to adjust what we
know about the work of painters of the poststalinist period, while
remaining at the core of the national culture and not following the
world famous draperies of Masen or Wedgewood, the standarts of Russian
porcelain factories.
Contact: Vida Mažrimienė
National M. K. Čiurlionis Art
Museum
55 V. Putvinskio str., LT-44248,
Kaunas.
Tel.: (+370) 37 229475, Fax (+370)
37 222606.
E-mail:
MKC@takas.lt
The Inception of Theatrical Photography
in Šiauliai
Asta KATKIENĖ
Šiauliai „Aušra“ Museum
An exposition dedicated to the
International Day
of the Theatre named „Theatrical
Illusions and Reality“ was opened on 2004 March 18 in the Šiauliai
„Aušra“ Museum department the Photography Museum. Sketches, theatrical
property, costumes from the Šiauliai Drama Theatre as well as Šiauliai
„Aušra“ Museum collections were put on show. An important place is taken
up by photographs, which capture the actors in action or display their
artistic portraits.
Contact: Asta Katkienė
Šiauliai „Aušra“ Museum
89 Vytauto str., LT-77155,
Šiauliai
Tel.: (+370) 41 524390, Fax (+370)
41 526933.
E-mail:
ausros.muz@takas.lt
„The Way of Faith, Hope and Love“
Exhibition
Vilma JUOZEVIČIŪTĖ
The Museum of Genocide Victims,
Department of History
On 2004 March 23 commemorating the
55 anniversary of the 1949 March mass deportations, in the variable
expositions room of the Museum of Genocide Victims an exposition
entitled – „The Way of Faith, Hope and Love“ was opened. In it the
photographs, liturgical inventory, documents of the 1949 deportee priest
Jonas Augustauskas are exhibited. One of the most tragic periods of XX
c. Lithuanian history is reflected through showpieces
about a single – priest Jonas
Augustauskas’ – fate. The name of the exhibition is not casual – Faith,
Hope and Love – are the three Godly virtues which the priest Jonas
Augustauskas held fundamental in his own life.
Contact: Vilma Juozevičiūtė
The Museum of Genocide Victims,
Department of History
2a Aukų str., LT-01113, Vilnius.
Tel.: (+370) 5 266 32 82, Fax
(+370) 5 2497427.
E-mail:
muziejus@genocid.lt,
Vilma.j@genocid.lt
Education
What do Trakai Castles Tell: Legends,
Stories, Traditions
Brigita BALČYTIENĖ, Vydas NARVIDAS
Trakai History Museum
Trakai History Museum that is
situated in the Trakai Peninsula and Island castles is meant to preserve
not only the material but also the spiritual medieval heritage. Of the
latter there is no shortage in Trakai, – the establishement of the city
and the building of castles is legendary. In15th Trakai Island castle
(now the main exhibition space of the museum) was the residence of the
rulers of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania. Today in the palace of
the Island castle important state
events, shows, concerts of ancient music take place. Most of the
medieval traditions, way of life, handicrafts, culture of food, martial
arts are demonstrated in the Medieval feasts staged in the Trakai
History Museum Peninsula castle courtyard. The noise of smiths hammers,
the jingle of weapons and armory, the sounds of ancient music, fabulous
scents from field kitchen and lots of other details make the atmosphere
of medieval castle come once again alive.
Contact: Brigita Balčytienė, Vydas
Narvidas
Trakai History Museum
4 Kęstučio str., LT-21104, Trakai.
Tel.: (+370) 528 53941, (+370) 528
53946,
Fax: (+370) 528 55288. E-mail:
trakai.museum@is.lt
Perkūnas Opened the Sky and Earth
Again:
Jorė and Ceremonies for
the Defenders of Kulionys Castle
Jonas VAIŠKŪNAS
Molėtai Land Museum
In the publication the feast of
the first green of the spring – Jorė is presented. Towards the end of
April the neo – pagans of Lithuania (romuviai) gather at the Molėtai
Land Museum Etnographic homestead in Kulionys and the Ancient
Observatory of the Celestial Bodies to feast on their New Year Holiday –
the great Jorė day.
Ceremonies dedicated to the
defenders of the Kulionys castle and all of manes of ancestors are held
on the second day of Jorė on the Kulionys mound. The festive procession
heads towards the Kulionys mound. A chain of people connects the saint
place with the castle mound, living mixing with dead, the present with
the past... On the castle mound after bowing down to the manes of the
defenders of the Kulionys castle and the manes of the protectors of our
spiritual heritage, the meeting expresses its thanks for beeing
Lithuanian, for being alive, for having our land, for our language, for
the faith. Ancient chants are being chanted, swords of the knights are
being clanged. Those resolved to continue with their ancestors work
utter the sacred words of the oath and are ordained into romuviai,
wowing to continue with the way of the ancestors and to create Harmony.
Contact: Jonas Vaiškūnas
Molėtai Land Museum
4 Inturkės str., LT-33141 Molėtai
Tel.: (+370) 230 51138, (+370)
230 51077.
E-mail:
j.vaiskunas@mail.lt
Collections
The Treasure of the Vilnius Lower
Castle – the Reflections of the State Trappings of Power of the End of
the 14th
Eduardas REMECAS
National Museum of Lithuania,
Department of Numismatics
The article deals with Great Duchy
of Lithuania coins (that reflect on state trappings of power of the
time) found in the 14th treasure discovered on the territory of the
Vilnius Lower castle in 2002. The portrait of the Polish King and
Lithuanian Great Duke Jogaila is described, the lion as a symbol of all
of Russia, the fish – circle as a symbol of Christianity, the double
cross and a horseman as Jogaila personal symbols, the pike with a cross
– the early personal symbol of the Great Duke of Lithuania Vytautas are
also mentioned.
Contact: Eduardas Remecas
National Museum of Lithuania,
Department of Numismatics
1 Arsenalo str., LT-01100, Vilnius
Tel.: (+370) 5 2120250. E-mail:
numizmatika@lnm.lt
The Workshops of Restorers
Works of Restorers of the Castle Research
Center „Lithuanian
Castles“
Aldona SKUČIENĖ
Castle Research Center „Lithuanian
Castles“
Restoration Department
The Castle Research Center
„Lithuanian Castles“ Restoration Department established 1993 is one of
the youngest restoration laboratories in Lithuania. Archaelogical
14th-17th metal, wooden, leather, ceramic artefacts (as well as those
intended to be used in the expositions in the reconstructed Grand Duchy
of Lithuania Royal Palace) found in the teritorry of Vilnius castles are
conservated and restorated in the department. A part of the conservated
and restored items are already on show in the Museum of Applied Art, in
the „Great Duchy of Lithuania Royal Palace findings“.
Contact: Aldona Skučienė
The Castle Research Centre „
Lithuanian Castles „
4 Katedros Sq, LT-01100, Vilnius
Tel.: (+370) 5 262 99 88, fax
(+370) 5 212 00 49.
E-mail: info@lietuvospilys.lt
www.Lietuvospilys.lt
Abroad
Cooperation of Castles and Museums in
the Baltic
Sea Region
Vivi JENSEN, Danish representative
at the Baltic Sea Region Castle and Museum Association
The Museum at Koldinghus Castle
The Baltic Sea Region Castle and
Museum Association
was established 1991 July 20 in
Malbork Poland. The Malbork castle became the symbol of this association
and a meeting place of it as well (the last meeting took place in
october). The association currently has more than 40 museums situated in
Swedish, Finish, Russian, Estonian, Latvian, Lithuanian, Polish, German
and Danish castles. The goal of the association is to spread the
cultural cooperation and mutual assistance of the castle – museums of
the region, stress the architectural similarities and differences to
reflect on local history and culture.
Contact: Vivi Jensen
The Museum at Koldinghus Castle
E-mail:
vj@koldinghus.dk
After Visiting
Castles and Regal Residences in Central Europe
Audronis KATILIUS
Grand Duchy of Lithuania Royal
Palace Reconstruction Project Coordinator
This publication is about the trip
of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania Royal Palace researchers, reconstruction
project staff, museologists to a first research expedition into Central
Europe. The members of the expedition visited the most important Polish,
Hungarian, Slovakian, Czhech and Austrian historical palaces and
castles. Specialists from the Lithuanian Art Museum, Castle Research
Center „Lithuanian Castles“ and Monument Restoration and Design
Institute looked into architectural and historical development of
Central European Residential Complexes which are tipologically and
chronologically similar to the Grand Duchy of Lithuania Royal Palace.
Material about internal space division, interior design and decoration,
historical and modern room purposes, their adaptation for modern
cultural, tourism, representative and educational functions has been
gathered. Important ties for future cultural exchange have been set.
Žiemgaliai in the Past: an Exhibition
at the Riga Castle
National Museum of Lithuania,
Department of Archaeology
On the last day of September 2003
at the Latvian History Museum situated in the Riga Castle a joint
Latvian History Museum and National Museum of Lithuania exhibition and a
book „Žiemgaliai in the Past“ were unveiled to the public. Žiemgaliai,
a baltic nation, after about a century of war with Teutonic Orders in
13th burned down their castles and moved to Lithuania (which was the
only Eastern Baltic nation which kept its independence during the
Teutonic onslaughts).
The book and the exhibition tell
about žiemgaliai ethnic history, the territory they settled during
different time periods, Žiemgala land composition, social structure,
žiemgaliai mounds, settlements and burial monuments, economy and trade
ties, their clothes and jewellery, Žiemgala conquest and the life of
žiemgaliai after that.
Contact: Eglė Griciuvienė
National Museum of Lithuania,
Department of Archaeology
1 Arsenalo str., LT-01100, Vilnius
Tel.: (+370) 5 2610030. E-mail:
archeologija@lnm.lt