The Fortified Triangle of Mažieji Žinėnai

The Fortified Triangle of Mažieji Žinėnai

In the Jonava region, to the east of Andruškonių piliakalniu, lies a hilltop fortress hidden by the walls of Mažieji Žinėnai. But what secrets does it hold?

Enclosed by a 15th-century defensive wall system, Mažieji Žinėnai sits on a hill that forms a triangle near the Neres river. The nearby hilltop fortress of Andruškonių piliakalniu adds an extra layer of mystery to this cultural and historical monument. Excavations have been done here since the 19th century, yet erosion has caused the 75-meter-long, 3.5-meter-high portcullis and the two nearby supporting gates to crumble. Mažieji Žinėnai offers a glimpse back to the warrior past, when the iron age hillforts were hewn from the forested hills.

Sources: Wikipedia, OpenStreetMap, Wikidata, Wikimedia Commons

Written by Nicolo Ciampini

Discuss this with the author and others

No comments yet. Be the first to start the conversation.