The Hillfort and Motte of Šeimyniškių

Nestled in the village of Šeimyniškių, the Šeimyniškių hillfort and motte stand as a complex archaeological site. The hillfort features a trapezoidal courtyard that is 70 meters long and 40 meters wide at its southeast end. Along its southeastern edge stands a rampart reaching 4 meters in height, 28 meters in width, and 4 meters at the top. A deep ditch, 120 meters long and 50 meters wide, lies just beyond this wall. At the northeast edge, a smaller rampart stands 1 meter high and 8 meters wide.

To the southeast of the hillfort lies a motte, or papilys, with a trapezoidal courtyard measuring 160 meters long and 55 meters wide at its northwest end. Excavations in this section have revealed both rough and smooth ceramics. A rampart measuring 0.5 meters high and 8 meters wide marks the end of the motte's courtyard, situated near a 130-meter-long ditch. The slopes of the site rise to heights of 12 and 16 meters, overlooking the nearby Pilių River.

Historical records indicate that the site was home to the Užpaliai castle, which was mentioned as early as 1338. The motte was attacked and burned by the Livonian Order in 1373, though the castle was quickly restored and remained a point of strategic interest throughout the 1400s. Today, the site is preserved as a cultural monument. To maintain its visibility, vegetation has been cleared and herbicides have been used to manage the regrowth of the woods surrounding the hillfort.

Sources: Wikipedia, OpenStreetMap, Wikidata, Wikimedia Commons