The hillfort of the legendary Margiris

The hillfort Punia is located in Alytaus region, near Punios, on the right bank of Nemunas, near Punelės upelio žiočių. It stands as a triangle, 155 m long and 85 m wide at the eastern end. The northern and southern parts of the hillfort were bordered by rivers. The western part has a terrace 15 m long and 23 m wide. The eastern edge features a filled embankment 75 m long and 30 m wide, behind which is a ditch 60 m long, 30 m wide, 4 m deep, and 10 m wide at the bottom. The slopes are steep, 36-44 m high.

According to archaeological findings, Punia was inhabited in prehistoric times and up until the 14th century. A wooden castle stood at the hillfort, which is mentioned in 1387 and 1414. In 1382, no crusaders reached it. In the 17th century, the embankment was dug through the middle, and a bridge was installed across the ditch. From the 15th to the 18th century, a manor belonged to the Punios lord at the site, and it remained until 1938.

Many believe that the hillfort could have been the site of the legendary Grand Duke Margiris' castle, although it is currently located in Žemaitija. Nevertheless, a memorial stone was erected at the foot of the hillfort with Maironis' lines in memory of Margiris.

Sources: Wikipedia, OpenStreetMap, Wikidata, Wikimedia Commons