From Bišpilis to Bišpiliukai

There are few cities that have castle hills within their confines, yet Jurbarkas can boast of that. Bišpilis is the first Lithuanian castle hill that faced Crusaders after they conquered Skalva. The mountain also reminds of the legend of the origin of the city.

Traveling this route will remind historical battles. You will pass by the dragoon club, stop at the memorial stone for the first victims of the Russian invaders – five high school students; go through the estate of I. Vasilčikov, where you will pay honour to teacher Petras Paulaitis, an organizer of the fight for freedom; pass the firemen’s square and the memorial stone for the book carriers;  will see the cemetery of Soviet soldiers and the Vytis symbol, which survived during the Soviet regime.

On the other side of Mituva, you will bow to two crosses dedicated to the memory of the desecrated defiled freedom fighters; will see Ragainė and Prancūzkapiai. Then you will go to Bišpiliukė castle hill, where Germans built a castle during the time of crusades.

While traveling on this route, you will find out when the city’s actual birthday is, what makes this place special, and what the name of Jurbarkas is derived from. If you decide to admire the Bišpiliukas from afar, you will pass by the house of A. Giedraitis-Giedriaus, the initiator and publisher of the first children’s magazine “Žiburėlis” and you will see the oak tree planted by Vydūnas.

On the way, you will see the manor buildings (offices, church and park), the foundations of the customs house. If you return on foot, you will also visit a pinewood full of surprises. During the entire trip, you will admire the wonderful nature and river banks.