Visvalda's fortress defended by Skirgaila's men in 1388

Karmėlavos piliakalnis, also known as Pilis, is a hillfort located in the northern part of the town of Karmėlavos. The site dates back to the 14th century and features an oval clearing measuring 81 by 61.5 meters. A homestead stands in this clearing today. The site is bordered by a 230-meter-long rampart, a 40-meter-wide defensive trench, and a slope about 30 meters high covered in trees and bushes that covers the view of the Neris valley during the summer.

Visvalda's fortress occupied this ground as early as 1385. It was defended in 1388 by the men of Skirgaila, who utilized cannons for defense. In 1391, crusaders traveling from Ukmergė seized and destroyed the fortress. It is believed that the site was later restored and used to protect the area.

Archaeological research conducted in 1971 and 2001 uncovered a stone mace head and an iron object resembling an arrow, likely related to military actions during the fortress's destruction. Nearby, a burial ground contains 222 graves dating from the 14th to 16th centuries. The deceased were buried in karstuose containing pots with drinks, as well as iron axes, knives, and leather and metal fragments, needles, pins, brooches, earrings, rings, and other ornaments.

To visit the site, one must take a winding path of about 150 meters from between some garages. There are no signs or tourist information provided at the location.

Sources: Wikipedia, OpenStreetMap, Wikidata, Wikimedia Commons