Sudargas Hillfort

Sudargas Hillfort stands on a steep bluff above the Nemunas River at a point where it forms the border between Lithuania and the Russian Kaliningrad exclave. The dramatic elevation and strategic position make this one of the most impressive hillfort locations in the country — from the summit, you can see directly across the river into Kaliningrad. The site has been fortified since at least the 13th century, when it played a role in the conflicts between Lithuanian tribes and the Teutonic Order. The earthwork defenses are well preserved, and the steep natural slopes add to the fortification's imposing character. The view — Lithuania on one side, Russia on the other, with the great river flowing between — carries a geopolitical weight that few viewpoints in the country can match.