PLACES TO VISIT

Kartena hillfort historical-archeological complex

If you travel through the town of Kartena, you will see the Kartena Hillfort — once the centre of the Ceklis land — also known as the Castle, Sweden, or Lūžtis Hill — on the opposite bank of the River Minija. From the hill, an impressive panorama of Kartena opens up. According to one legend, the hill once held the castle of the King of Samogitia, which was constantly attacked by enemy armies. On one occasion, the armies of Sweden and Russia, both arriving to attack the castle, began fighting each other instead. The ruler of the castle shouted to his soldiers: “Look, there are warriors! Look, there is war!” (Veizėkiet, karė tenā! – “Žiūrėkite, karas ten!”). From then on, the place is said to have been called Kartena.