The Ancient Hillfort of Skomantų

Skomantų hillfort, also known as Ragokalnis or Raguva, is located in the Klaipėda district near the village of Skomantai. To reach the site, travelers can take a slight turn off the Gargždai - Švėkšna road into the forest, following an old path for 450 meters to a parking area, and then walk 100 meters northeast. The site is situated on a high point on the right bank of the Veiviržė river.

The fort features a trapezoidal arena oriented east-west. It measures 80 meters in length, with a width of 57 meters at the western end and 40 meters at the eastern end. The western side contains a 60-meter long bank, while the eastern side features a 38-meter long bank with a ditch and another bank. The slopes of the hill reach heights of 20-22 meters. Dating from the 1st millennium to the 13th century, the hillfort is covered with pines and spruce trees.

Historical excavations and research have revealed the site's significance. In 1903, Liudvikas Kšivickis excavated two pits in the southwestern part of the arena, uncovering a cultural layer over 60 centimeters thick. This layer contained a stone floor and a layer of burnt clay, followed by soil mixed with charcoal and pieces of burnt clay. The resulting artifacts are preserved in the National Museum of Lithuania and the Alka Museum of Samogitia. The site also hosts a stone sculpture of Žemaitis, created in 1969 by V. Majoras, and a monument to the Lithuanian independence decade.

Sources: Wikipedia, OpenStreetMap, Wikidata, Wikimedia Commons