Kernavė – ancient hill-fort extravaganza

Kernavė is, like the medieval castle in Trakai, on the Vilnius tourist trail, and for a good reason. The site, which at one stage ranked as one of the mightiest cities in Lithuania, has to be imagined. It had imposing wooden fortresses on top of each of the hills carved out from the surrounding sandy plateau by the torrents in the last glacial melt, and a buzzing town of craftspeople at its base, though little remains today. But if you only have one shot to go see these peculiarly Lithuanian hills, with or without crowning castles, this is a good pick from the 800 sites littering the country, and only a short 45 minute drive from Vilnius. Stunning views over the Neris river valley and a remarkably well organized open air museum makes a visit to Kernavė all the more memorable. And on a glorious sunny day like today, perhaps even more so than its what-you-see-is-what-you-get rival to the south. Just make sure to get in early, before the parking lot fills up.