Lith·u·WEY·nee·uh - /lɪˌθʌwejˈniʌ/
Pre-1800's spelling: Lituania from Lithuanian: Lietuva, a name shared by a small river near Kernavė, the medieval capitol. First recorded is in a 1009 German Chronicle with Latinized Litua + the Greek suffix ia = land of 🔍. But the river may not be the source of the name, as it's an insignificant waterway.
It may be that both river & country are derived from an early Lithuanian people group, the leičiai, (singular leitis); from Proto Baltic lei- / ley-, lī- = to pour, flow, drip perhaps as a reference to peoples from a land of the rain or land of the rivers. By the 13th c. leičiai were a distinct warrior class, similar to knights, that enforced order in the region before and during the kingdom's unification.
* Ten villages were named for them (as Leičiai, Lietuva/ Leituva) and the term was used in 14–16th c. as an ethnonym for Lithuanians. It is still used for them in Latvian (leiši.)
Why It's Worth a Visit -
Once the largest country in Europe, Lithuania charms with historic
towns & castles, stunning beaches and a unique blend of pagan & Christian traditions make it a culturally rich affordable destination.
@ a glance essentials:
.
Language:
Lithuanian
-
-
Water safety
Generally Safe to Drink
Many Locals can speak English, particularly the younger generations in the large cities.
Currency:
Euro
Local Transport
There is a bus network in large cities but it's a but slow. Smaller towns will require a car.
Be aware when traveling by bus (which is more available than train) regional routes often use minibuses with limited seats and possibly no luggage storage. Also heads up city names frequently have different endings when describing bus stations; Vilnius becomes Vilnių, Trakai becomes Trakių so don't get confused.
Hot Tip:
The first peoples of future Lithuania after the Ice Age were the Kunda, followed much later, in the 1st mill. BC, by Indo-Europeans migrating from the south🔍 that would became known as Balts after the Baltic Sea🔍 (from the Latin balteus = belt, as it stretches around the land.)
The area was remote and fairly isolated from the rest of Europe (accounting for its unique linguistic, and enduring pagan customs/ mythology,) but it was subject to Viking raids, peaking in the 9th- 10th c. including from their northern, non-ethnically Baltic neighbor, Estonia.
a bit of background...
........................... Lithuanian's have a habit of revolt, living up to their warrior namesakes. When under the Swedish Empire (voluntarily for their own protection!) in less than 2 years they rebelled against even friendly Sweden. They then revolted against the Soviets 4+ times! with the November, January & June Uprising plus Freedom Fighter attempts of the 1950's.
FUN FACT:
Facing threats from both the Nordic Vikings, and Germanic crusaders of Pope Innocent III's Northern Crusades, Lithuania united for the first time in 1251 into the 🔎Kingdom of Lithuania. With the king's assassination in 1263 land annexations created a broader Grand Duchy of Lithuania, covering today's Belarus, Ukraine, parts of Latvia, Poland, and Russia, making it the largest European state🔍 of the day. In 1386 the Duchy formed a union with the Kingdom of Poland, extending it's rule to Hungary, Croatia, Bohemia - even as far south as Moldova. The two realms🔍 formally united into the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth🔍 in 1569 which lasted through the 17th c. until it was partitioned in the 18th c. between the Habsburg Monarchy, Kingdom of Prussia, and Russian Empire, (which got almost all of the Lithuanian portion,) as such, the states of Poland & Lithuania ceased to exist for over 120 years.
During WWI the region was annexed by the Germans as part of the Ober Ost, and in 1918 Lithuania was able to declare independence again, as the Kingdom of Lithuania which soon transitioned to the democratic 🔎Republic of Lithuania. In WWII, it was occupied by both the Russians & Nazi Germany, eventually becoming the Lithuanian SSR under the USSR, up until 1990 when Lithuania became the first Soviet republic to break away from the union.
Must Try Local Cuisine:
Cepelinai - pork dumplings in creamy bacon & mushroom sauce ∞ Kebapche - grilled beef/ pork mince
Šaltibarščiai - cold beetroot soup w/ Kefir (sour milk†) ∞ Skilandis - a salami-like smoked sausage
Bulviniai Blynai - fried potato pancakes sometimes served w/ sour cream, jam or apple sauce
Kepta Duona - fried black rye w/ cheese sauce ∞ Kugelis (or Bulvių Plokštainis) - baked potato pudding
Balandeliai - cabbage leaves stuffed w/minced meat, rice, onion & veg, stewed in pureed tomato sauce along
Varškės apkepas - fried cakes filled w/ traditional Lithuanian Cottage Cheese served w/ wild berry jam
➿➰➿
† Traditionally made by shepherds storing dairy in leather travel bags
I haven't yet had the opportunity to visit
Lithuania
(but it's on the list!) - So I don't have any personal
(If you get there first send me your best finds !)
recommendations yet, but you can start with the most popular spots
below, and I'll update with my favorites, hopefully soon!
Most Known For:
♦️ Hill of Crosses | Šiauliai - Catholic site where pilgrims have been leaving 100,000+ crosses
as symbols of faith & resistance against communist (atheist) occupation, since the 19th c.
🔸 Vilnius - with the Baroque Palace of the Grand Dukes (now a history & art museum)
Gothic Saint Anne’s Church🔍, the Neoclassical Cathedral in historic old town, 17th c
Poetry Street, and the art neighborhood of (independent) Uzupis
♦️ Kernavė - the old medieval capital with forts, burial and other archeological sites dating to
the late Paleolithic Period
🔸 Klaipeda & the Curonian Spit🔍 - tallest shifting sand dunes in Europe, 196 ft high, moving
9 miles a year and the nearby spa town of Neringa
♦️ 14th c. Trakai Castle on a lake island of Trakai Historical National Park
🔸 Kaunas - with Interwar & Art Deco architecture, Devil’s Museum & scenic monastery over the sea🔍
♦️ Mead (the oldest in the world) & Amber (80% of the worlds Amber comes from the Baltics, and Palanga - known for it's
fine sandy beach† resorts - has an Amber Museum)
🔸 Aukštaitija National Park - with a 300m treetop walking path 115 feet above the forest
† As compared to the mostly pebbly coast of the Baltic Sea
-NOTABLE PEOPLE:
🌀 Feast Of Saint John (June)- As a once Pagan country with nature worship, converted to Catholicism the Feast
is a celebration of the summer solstice. with the ancient Pagan tradition of wishing the luck on others by
floating flower wreaths in the Neris River, and bonfires at night with singing & dancing
🌀 Klaipeda Sea Festival (July)- celebrating the Baltic Sea with boat races, carnival shows, art and outdoor concerts
🌀 Palanga Smelt Festival (February)- dedicated to smoked, fried & pickled fish with competitions and exhibitions
🌀 Trakai Medieval Festival (Summer)- with tournaments of competitors from all over the world fighting for the
honor of the International Armed Forces Commander title all in medieval costume @ Trakai Peninsula Castle
Site Key:
Five Star Recommend
Make the Time!
Worth the Effort/ $
Planning a Trip?
Make a DONATION of $5 or more and receive a FREE Thank You Gift of a FULL CITY TRAVEL GUIDE with even more favorites and the address/ contacts for all recommendations. Just include your EMAIL ADDRESS in the transaction description of your donation along with the name of the city you're visiting.
UNMOORED DETAILS DESTINATIONS PLAN YOUR TRIP ON A BUDGET TRAVEL BLOG
YOUR HOST- JULIA EUROPE PLANNING, PACKING & PASSPORTS HISTORY & CULTURE
SPECIAL THANKS AFRICA & MID EAST BOOK TRANSPORTATION MYTHS, LORE & LEGENDS
PRIVACY & TERMS OF USE ASIA & OCEANIA SLEEPING ARRANGEMENTS FRIENDS & ADVENTURES
CONTACT THE AMERICAS TRAVEL INSURANCE LOCAL FESTIVALS
Notices: Unmoored is not a licensed travel agency. The Site's intended to educate, inform & entertain and is not to be used as a source of official travel itinerary planning, or legal advice. It is merely the experiences and reflections of fellow traveler. - The site may contain affiliated links, (there is never any extra cost to you for using these links) but Unmoored only includes affiliated links for products/ companies that we would willing endorse on the site even without the affiliation.