Laukininkų piliakalnis

Laukininkų piliakalnis, also known as Svirnakalnis, is an archaeological site and hillfort located in the Alytus district, west of Laukininkai. It is situated in the Merkinė eldership of the Varėna district. The site is reached from point 129 on the Antakalnis–Jieznas–Alytus–Merkinė road by turning left towards the east at Rimėnų-Ilgiuose along a gravel path. After turning right towards the south-west at a farm 1.35 km away, follow an unmarked field path for 250 meters to the edge of a pine forest. The site is located 50 meters south-west of the forest edge within a private property and is enclosed by a fence.

The hillfort is situated on a separate hill on the north-eastern shore of Ilgio Lake. The central area is oval and elongated from east to west, measuring 20x13 meters. On the north-west slope, 4 meters below the level of the central area, is a natural triangular terrace measuring 20x15 meters. On the southern slope, 4.5 meters above the water, is another natural terrace 15 meters wide. The slopes are of average height, ranging from 5 meters in the north-east to 14 meters in the south.

The hillfort dates back to the first half of the 1st millennium AD. It is currently surrounded by pine trees, although it was previously plowed. The center of the area is covered with grass. While it was once explored by treasure hunters, it remains a preserved archaeological fortification.

Sources: Wikipedia, OpenStreetMap, Wikidata, Wikimedia Commons