In the town of Darbėnai, you will find a monument dedicated to the partisans of the “Kardas” Unit of the Samogitian District, who perished between 1945 and 1965 while operating in the Kretinga region (at the beginning of Palanga Street). The monument, built in 2005, was created by sculptor Gintautas Jonkus.
A noteworthy jewel of the town is the Church of Saints Peter and Paul. It is speculated that the first church in Darbėnai was commissioned in the 17th century by J. K. Chodkevičius himself. Other sources suggest that it was built by ordinary peasants with their own efforts. After this church likely fell into disrepair, a new wooden church was constructed, which was destroyed during the Uprising of 1831. In 1842, Mykolas Tiškevičius, the owner of Darbėnai and the grandfather of Juozapas Tiškevičius, the future founder of the Palanga resort, ordered the construction of a new church. This church, which once again suffered from fire and was rebuilt, still stands today as a proud adornment of Darbėnai.
Beside the church stands a sculpture of an elegant young man. It depicts Petro Perkumas, a figure revered as a saint abroad. The future Salesian monk was born in the interwar period near Darbėnai but became renowned far from his homeland, in the city of Turin, Italy. P. Perkumas lived as a monk for only 20 years, leaving this world at a very young age due to a heart condition. However, he captivated those around him with his piety, obedience, strong will, and unwavering commitment to his faith. The Salesian monks are even gathering material to support the canonization of this native of Darbėnai. In his homeland and birthplace, P. Perkumas was remembered only after the restoration of Lithuania’s independence. Revived from oblivion, at least in the form of a sculpture, P. Perkumas and his life serve as an inspiring example to all.
In Darbėnai, you’ll find a museum unlike any other in Lithuania. Textile artisans Daiva and Arūnas Dudėnai curate an impressive collection featuring several hundred woven sashes and just as many towels. Nowhere else will you encounter such a remarkable array of patterns, colors, and ornaments. The museum hosts are delighted to share stories about the differences and unique features of matchmaker sashes, anniversary sashes, funeral sashes, and the special towels used for carrying bread or wrapping individuals. In the Textile Crafts Center, you’ll feel as if you’ve stepped into the warm and welcoming embrace of a mother’s home.
Just outside of Darbėnai stands the Lazdininkai windmill, whose history will captivate even those who have heard it all. Before reaching the village of Lazdininkai, the windmill stood in Padvariai, and even earlier, it was in our capital, Vilnius! The wooden eight-sided windmill was brought to Lazdininkai at the initiative of the town pharmacist from Darbėnai. The windmill changed hands several times, being bought and sold, until it was finally acquired by a local farmer, who purchased it with money earned in the coal mines of America.
Not far from the town of Darbėnai, in an open field, a Japanese Garden has been developing for over a decade. This Japanese Garden is the largest in Europe, covering an area of 16 hectares. The garden boasts an impressive collection of bonsai trees, a rock garden with sakuras and ponds. The garden is especially beautiful during the blooming of the pink sakura trees. This place is ideal for those who wish to escape the hustle and bustle of the city and long to be surrounded by the tranquility of nature.
Located just next to the Japanese Garden, the Baltic Mythology Park in Kretinga District is a perfect oasis of peace, nature, tradition, and spirituality. The sculptures of deities, compositions reflecting the Lithuanian worldview, and the harmony with nature undoubtedly transport visitors into a state of complete tranquility, relaxation, and unity with themselves and their ancestors.
In Kretinga District, there is only one lake – Kašučiai Lake. So, when visiting the Darbėnai region, make sure not to miss it. This half-kilometer-long lake is rich in fish and is home to crayfish. However, its most valuable feature is not just its wildlife. It is believed that the clear, and in some places, overgrown water of the lake hides a secret, known as the kūlgrinda. A secret stone-paved path was discovered several years ago, sparking heated debates. Some claim it is a pathway built during the Soviet era, while others insist that it dates back to the ancient Curonians. Or perhaps it is a sacred, ritual path once used by our ancestors? These are theories still waiting for evidence. Until such proof is found, nothing stops you from visiting this picturesque lake, which, according to legend, was created when a huge ball of water fell from the sky. Not far from Kašučiai Lake lies another mysterious place – a swamp called Tyrai.
We recommend ending your exploration of the Darbėnai region with a visit to a special place. The Erškėtynas Spring, located at the site of an ancient pagan temple, is known for its miraculous and healing properties. For centuries, people have been washing their eyes and faces with the spring water, believing it to be especially beneficial for those with vision problems. Next to the spring stands a chapel – a reflection of Christian culture. In 1926, the Virgin Mary appeared to Barbara Pocienė, a resident of Lazdininkai, on the stone from which the spring flows. This apparition is commemorated by the Erškėtynas Chapel. People still gather near the chapel, especially during Pentecost, when hymns are sung and prayers are offered to the Virgin Mary. In this place, people seek peace and physical or spiritual healing. Since the construction of the brick chapel in 1930, this location has developed into a unique Hill of Crosses in Samogitia.
