Kernavė, the only one five-hill -fort complex in the Baltic States and the first capital of Lithuania, is an outstanding place that evidences a unique though extinct cultural tradition and civilization, the important steps in the history of humanity. In 2004 it was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage Masterpiece List.
This is the only place that perfectly reveals the prehistory of the Balts and the spring of the Lithuanian State. Unique traces of different cultures dating back to the 10th century BC to the early Middle Ages can be found in Kernavė. Large settlements with defensive hill forts developed in the first centuries AD in the valley of Pajauta. The hill forts as the main type of a pro-historic settlement were functioning in Lithuania from the Bronze Age until the end of the 14th century. There are about one thousand mounds in the territory of Lithuania; however, there is no other five-hill fort complex in the entire region of the Baltic Sea. The hill forts are the most expressive elements of Kernavė cultural reserve. They represent the heritage of the historic-natural processes (glacial drift) as well as enduring human activities.
In written sources – the Herman Vartberg Chronicle and the Livonian Chronicle, the latter being in verse – Kernavė was first mentioned in 1279. In the 13th century Kernavė stands out as a feudal town in the valley of Pajauta between the river Neris and the mounds with earthworks. At that time Kernavė was the first Lithuanian capital, the most important political and economical centre in the development of Lithuania. That was the age of Kernavė’s feat.
During the Crusader assault in 1390, Kernavė was totally burned down. The remnants of the old town were eventually covered by a thick layer of alluvial deposit. It perfectly preserved the organic material and the traces of the townspeople, so called Lithuanian Trojans. Differently from Vilnius, Kernavė has preserved totally undamaged cultural layers dating back to the end of the 14th century and retained the priceless information.
Systematic archaeological research in Kernavė State Reservation has been performed for 30 years now. Kernavė Museum of Archaeology and History has accumulated unique and multiple collections of the things found during the research.
On the Statehood Day celebrated at the beginning of July Kernavė invites people to the impressive Days of the Live Archaeology where ancient crafts are presented and ancient music groups perform. The soldiership clubs from different countries demonstrate martial art techniques. The St. John’s day (the Midsummer Day) is another very popular festival in the Pajauta valley that follows the ancient traditions and rites. The yearly neofolk festival Mėnuo Juodaragis of the Baltic and Nordic countries which is organised in late August is another spectacular event. Starting with 2005, volunteers will be able to participate in archaeological diggings.
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