Places to visit

Joskaudai Shrine Hill and place of the Holocaust

Alka Hill in Joskaudai Forest is one of the most mysterious places in Kretinga District. Although thorough research of the hill have been carried out, it has not disclosed all its secrets so far. Possibly, earlier a castle was built or at least planned on Alka Hill. It is quite clear that ancient pagans performed rituals on the hill; this is evidenced by the found remains of the fireplace made of stones. Presumably, the hill could be one of the largest pagan temples in Palanga outskirts in the 17th century; the historian S. Daukantas wrote about this. It is believed that a settlement of the complex of the shrine was also near the hill. Legends with strong evidence telling about a secret tunnel under the hill sound even more mysterious. In 1921, the Latvia-Lithuania frontier crossed Alka Hill and in 1941 cruel massacre of Jews took place there. Thus, the hill wrapped in different stories is also a memorial site of the Holocaust.