Places to visit

Monument of Independence

Monuments built during the period between the two world wars and commemorating the tenth anniversary of the independence of Lithuania can be found nearly in every city and town. Nevertheless, the monument for independence in Darbėnai stands out from other monuments. The monument in Darbėnai is also known as the monument for Vytautas the Great. Presumably, it was built in 1930 when the year of Vytautas the Great was commemorated. Some time before appearance of the monument, a small square in which the monument stands appeared in Darbėnai. The small square was established on the initiative of the famous forester Marijonas Daujotas. Thus, the residents of Darbėnai prepared for welcoming a honoured guest, i.e. the President Antanas Smetona, in their town. Unfortunately, during the Soviet times, the monument for independence met the same fate as the majority objects symbolising freedom. The monument was demolished and used as foundations of piggeries. It was rebuilt only in the year of the Movement.