The Kretinga Manor Park Ponds (III)

There are 3 ponds that remain in the Kretinga Manor Park. They are located within an 8 acre plot of land, in the valley of the Dupultis River.

During Count Tiškevičius’ reign, three cascade-like ponds were built between 1878 and 1880 in the northern part of the park based on the project of Jonas Šostakas. The water ran from the third pond into the second one, and from there it continued into the first pond.

Between 1827 and 1836, Count Dmitrijus Zubovas organised the digging of the second pond just east from the first one. This pond was dedicated to leisurely activities. A park was built there as well.

When Count Tiškevičius was still running the manor, he ordered construction of the third pond to the east of the second one. It served as game hunting grounds, where a lot of aquatic birds gathered. A sluice was built in the mound of the pound. Next to it stood a red brick building with a water management system. Above the sluice stood the walking bridge. Only the reinforced steel bridge still stands today. The third pond is one of the favourite locations for Kretingians to visit during the summer, primarily for swimming. The banks of the ponds are nowadays one of the favourite locations of the inhabitants and guests of Kretinga.

In 1925, during the land reform, a part of the land that belonged to the Kretinga Manor was redistributed among the newly established farmers, while the rest of the land was nationalised. The decreased income of Aleksandras Tiškevičius had made it difficult to sustain the manor farmstead, especially the park. The abandoned overflown ponds eventually broke down the mounds and the cascaded pond and waterfall system was ruined. The cascades were not rebuilt during reconstruction works. In 1958, the park was declared a state-protected natural heritage.

Source: Kretingos enciklopedija