Kernavė Archaeological Site

Kernavė is one of Lithuania's most important historical sites and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Located in the Neris River valley, this settlement was the first known capital of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania and has been continuously inhabited for over 11,000 years — making it one of the oldest continuously occupied sites in the Baltic region. The most dramatic features are the five hillfort mounds rising above the Neris valley, which were fortified in the medieval period when Kernavė served as a political and economic center. Archaeological excavations have revealed remains from the Paleolithic through medieval periods. A modern archaeological museum houses finds spanning the full timeline of human presence. Each July, a Days of Living Archaeology festival brings the site to life with historical reenactments.