The Tradition of Japanese Gardens in Samogitia
Not far from the town of Darbėnai, in an open field, the Japanese Garden, created by Japanese master Hajime Watanabe and doctor Šarūnas Kasmauskas, has been under development for more than a decade – an inseparable part of Japanese culture. This Japanese Garden is the largest in Europe and covers an area of 16 hectares. The garden features an impressive collection of bonsai trees, a stone garden with cherry blossoms and ponds. You can also enjoy the flowers of star magnolias, azaleas, witch hazels, and other plants.
The Baltic Mythology Park: What Did Our Ancestors Believe?
Have you ever wondered whom the Lithuanian ancestors prayed to before the arrival of Christianity? The worldview of our Baltic ancestors was an intuitive connection between humans and nature. This is vividly recreated in the Baltic Mythology Park, located near the town of Darbėnai. Here, in a forest fragrant with mushrooms and moss, all the Baltic gods reside. As you walk through the forest trails and wander through the labyrinth of mythology, you will discover love, identity, and the complex yet simple order of the world. Some visitors say that the park seems to be surrounded by good energy, and they always feel the urge to return.
The Romantic Park of Glowing Swings, Inviting You to Immerse in the Tranquil Forest Oasis of Lights
As the sun sets, this swing park, located in the forest surroundings of Darbėnai, transforms into a magical space where time seems to stand still. On dark evenings, dozens of different swings turn into artistic installations. One particularly special exhibit is a piano that once belonged to Kazys Maksvytis, the head coach of the Lithuanian men’s basketball team.
The Žibininkai Bunker
In the post-war years, the Sword Battalion was active in the Kretinga district. One of the many hideouts was chosen in the Žibininkai forest. Here, in an underground shelter, participants of the resistance struggle hid for several years. In commemoration of the 75th anniversary of the death of the legendary Western Lithuanian partisans, the once-exploded shelter has now been rebuilt and given new life. From now on, anyone with an interest in history is invited to stop by this symbolically significant place for Western Lithuania – the Žibininkai bunker.
Jauryklos Park
Located in the southern part of Kretinga, the unique landscape of the 10-hectare Jauryklos River Park invites both those longing for peaceful nature relaxation and those who enjoy more active leisure. The park features over 3 kilometers of new wellness and nature education trails with various wooden bridges. Here, you will find five observation decks offering captivating views of nature, as well as several children’s playgrounds with climbing frames and swings.
Dauginčiai Cliff – Lithuania’s Switzerland
The Dauginčiai Cliff – Šilpelkė Educational Trail is located in the Šilpelkė forest along the bend of the Minija River. The trail starts at the foot of the Pilalė hillfort, also known as the Moon Mountain, along an earthen rampart built in the 16th–17th century, climbing the slope of the elevation. It leads to one of the largest riverbank cliffs of the Minija, which is 44 meters wide and rises up to 22 meters in height. From here, you can enjoy a breathtaking view of the river bend and the river terrace, a panorama that locals call Lithuania’s Switzerland. Near the cliff, you will find one of the northernmost black alder stands in Lithuania.
The Legendary Imbarė Hillfort
The Imbarė Hillfort, with its foregate and settlement, was established in the second half of the 1st millennium BC and existed until the middle of the 13th century. Between the 10th and 13th centuries, Imbarė was a major Curonian fortress. One legend tells of the fortress lord’s daughter, who fell in love with and freed a crusader imprisoned in a tower. The mother of the girl then cursed her, and the curse could only be broken by a violinist who swore to love her. Such a young man appeared, but he grew tired of playing only for his chosen one. As soon as he played for passersby, the castle sank, and the hill was left with a deep pit. Since then, people have started calling the hillfort and the surrounding area Imbarė. A pedestrian and bicycle trail, about 2 kilometers long, has been established from this hillfort to the village of Kalnalio.
Kretinga Manor Park
The Kretinga Manor Park, nurtured by the Tiškevičius family, continues to captivate all visitors to the town. The 23-hectare park features three ponds, with tree alleys and centuries-old oaks recalling the grandeur of the nobility. Several manor buildings have been preserved within the park’s territory, including a mill, a steward’s house, a distillery, and a nursery. In the summer garden, as it was called by the Tiškevičius family, one of the four fountains was restored a few years ago, and the legendary Love Stone still stands. Among a variety of trees, colorful flowerbeds, and soft lawns, the Astronomical Calendar with a sundial blends perfectly into the landscape.
