Ancient Fortress Shrouded in Mystery on Liškiavo Hill

Liškiavo kalnas, or Liškiava Hill, is a striking hillfort located in the Varėnos district, Liškiavos settlement, Merkinė municipality, Lithuania. Its platform-like shape spans approximately 100 x 50 meters, rising to a height of 17 meters. Originally used as a fortress from the 3rd century BC to possibly the medieval period, it offers a fascinating glimpse into Lithuania’s past.

Archaeological excavations in 1962, 1975, and 1977 by the Archaeological Expedition of the Cultural Heritage Conservation Institute revealed a cultural layer 1-1.5 meters deep, built between the 3rd century BC to the 9th or 10th century AD. Discovered artifacts include broken pottery, stone walls, animal bones, iron and metal artifacts, and timber structures. Its western and southern slopes have double walls.

Despite much unknown about this intriguing site, its western and southern ramparts remain from the 19th-century destruction. The hillfort is now protected under the Cultural Heritage Act of the Republic of Lithuania, with the protected area encompassing the hillfort and its surroundings spanning over 788,000 square meters.

Sources: Wikipedia, OpenStreetMap, Wikidata, Wikimedia Commons