Monument to Jonas Karolis Chodkevičius

Jonas Karolis Chodkevičius (1560-1621) was a hetman of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania, a voivode, and the founder of the Kretinga city, church, and monastery.

The monument to Jonas Karolis Chodkevičius stands in the northern part of the Kretinga City Hall Square. The monument was unveiled on June 12th, 2009, during the celebration of the 400 year anniversary of the Kretinga municipality. The author of the 12-tonne monument is Adomas Skiezgelas, an architect from Kretinga.

The main element of the monument is an opening set of doors. The bas-relief of J. K. Chodkevičius can be found on the doors. The bronze and granite door composition instils a very deep visual: as if Chodkevičius himself is looking through the ages at his own creations and at the present day Kretinga.

The base is made of cut slabs of Lithuanian granite. The remainder of the monument is made from the red variety of granite. The latter had to be brought in from Finland. Rimas Eidėjus, a sculptor form Mosėdis, helped A. Skiezgelas to create the bronze bas-relief of Chodkevičius. The bas-relief was cast in the Rimantas Keturka Workshop in Vilnius.

Dedicated lighting was included into the design of the monument. A separate light was installed to illuminate the coat of arms of the Chodkevičius family. The coat of arms is also forged from bronze. It now decorates the triangular arch, which acts as the finishing touch of the entire monument.

Source: Kretingos enciklopedija