Birutė’s Hill
When walking in Birute Park, one of the most beautiful places in Palanga, be certain to visit Birute Hill. Here, centuries-old sacred Birute pine forest still thrives in the territory of former Tiškevičiai Mansion. It surrounds the legendary Birute Hill standing 21 meters above the sea level and overlooking magnificent view of soughing sea.
You will not only have a good time in the nature but also be able to travel to ancient times – the fact that people lived here a long time ago is proven by discoveries of ceramics on the hill dating back to the first millennium. Settlement complex of Curonians usually consisted of a castle, one or more settlements and an oblation table. A castle and oblation table on the Birute Hill date back to 9th – 13th centuries, a village was established at the foot of the hill. At the end of 14th century – the beginning of 15th century a defensive wall was built on the hill which was probably burnt during fights with Crusaders.
Later, a pagan sanctuary with paleoastronomy observatory was set up here. This sanctuary is linked with the name of the priestess Birutė, the wife of Duke Kęstutis and the mother of Vytautas. Stories tell that she lived here and kept the holy fire burning and was buried here after her death.
In 1869, a neo-gothic chapel designed by architect K. Mayer was built on the top of Birute Hill. In 1976, the chapel was decorated with stained-glass created by the artist L. Pocius.
