Kretinga

Kretinga | Lithuania

Kretinga is one of the oldest city in west Lithuanian. City was ruled famous Lithuanian nobilities such as: Sapiegos, Chodkevičiai, Masalskiai, Zubovai, Tiškevičiai. They created the city which become modern, cozy and different.

Water with magic powers – the Lourdes grotto of Kretinga
The Lourdes grotto of Kretinga was build in 1933 in commemoration of the 75th anniversary of the apparitions in Lourdes (France) of the Blassed Virgin Mary, a patron of the Franciscan Order. Sculptures of Our Lady of Lourdes and Saint Bernadette as well as water said to have miraculous power were brought from France. The Lourdes consecration ceremony was attended by a procession of as many as 25,000 worshippers, and even Antanas Smetona, the President of Lithuania, participated in the event.
Address: Vilniaus/J. Pabrėžos Street, Kretinga. Coordinates: 55.892762, 21.243478

A promise converted into a monastery and a church
Legend has it that J.K. Chodkevičius, a prominent military commander, promised before and important battle was the Swedes that, should he win, he would build a church in Kretinga. He won the battle, and a church, or rather a tiny wooden chapel, was erected in Kretinga. This angered J.K. Chodkevičius, who maintained that the church was to be magnificent and build of stone. Therefore, a stone church (currently the ensemble of buildings of the Franciscan Monastery and the Church of the Annunciation to the Blessed Virgin Mary) was erected soon afterwards on the bank of the Akmena River. It is one of the oldest churches with Gothic and Renaissance features in Samogitia. The miraculous altar of Saint Anthony stands in the church, and members of the Chodkevičiai family are buried beneath the central altar. Their sarcophagi are recognised to be items of cultural heritage.
Address: Vilniaus Street 2, Kretinga Coordinates: 55.892054, 21.242700

Neo-Gothic chapel: the place of the Tiškevičius family grave
The counts Tiškevičius made a deep imprint in the history of Kretinga town. One of the most interesting buildings left by this family is the Neo – Gothic chapel dating back to the end of the 19th century erected in the cemetery of the town. The first thing to be constructed in the chapel was the Tiškevičius family mausoleum. This facility attracted particular public attention in 2014, when archaeologists found sarcophagi and wooden coffins with the remains of the nobility in the basement of the structure, including the remains of Mary, a family member who died at the age of live.
Address: Vilniaus Street 8A, Kretinga Coordinates: 55.894220, 21.244936

To the manor: to see bananas growing and to bake bread
A major ornament to Kretinga city is the reconstructed Manor House and impressive Winter Garden of Counts Tiškevičius. The museum established in the Manor House presents a variety of archaeological treasures and works of art, as well as other exhibits. The Centre for Traditional Crafts operates next to it, where visitors are invited to bake traditional bread in real antique bread oven and to make delicious caramel candies in the candy shop of the Manor. Visitors to the winter garden -conservatory will have an opportunity to admire 5.000 exotic plants, including real bananas bushes, and perhaps even to smell the scent of the ripening fruit.
Address: Vilniaus Street 20, Kretinga Coordinates: 55.899933, 21.248430

An unusual sundial in the Manor Park
The sundial and astronomical calendar built in 2002 is composed of thirteen sculptures, symbolising the traditions of ancient Baltic culture, Lithuanian festivals, as well as significant dates in the history of Lithuania and Kretinga. The walk though the park will be truly memorable, as this unique composition takes up and area of 0.5 ha. According to historical sources, the first sundial in Kretinga was built around the 17 th century, at the time of J.K. Chodkevičius, however, only the pedestal of that sundial has remained to this day. Found Kretinga Museum Manor Park territory.

Museum opening hours: during the autumn-winter season (09.01-05.31) working hours of the Museum’s Winter Garden II-VII 10.00 – 18.00, I is a rest day. Opening hours of the museum expositions III-VII 10.00-18.00, I-II is a rest days; during the summer season (06.01-08.31) working hours of the Museum’s Winter Garden I 10.00-18.00, II-VII 10.00-20.00; opening hours of the museum expositions III-VII 10.00-18.00, I-II is a rest day. Entrance fee for an adult is 5 EUR.

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