Do you know where are the roots of Kretinga? Ėgliškiai-Anduliai Hillfort is the beginning of Kretinga. Presumably, this is a place of the historical Kretinga castle. It is believed that the ancestors of the residents of Kretinga, i.e. Curonians, made sacrifices to the God Thunder in the castle complex; the castle was not only fortress but also as an administrative, trade, handicraft centre. Presumably, the fortress was burnt in 1263 by the Livonian Order and abandoned by local people. The research suggests that the true origins of Kretinga reminding of magnificant Curonian times, telling about their lifestyle, battles, rituals are in this place.

Erškėtynas is another unique sacral place reminding of our ancestors; thus, the beginning of our culture. It is believed that once a pagan temple was here. In 1926, the Blessed Virgin Mary showed to one woman from Lazdininkai village on the stone near which the spring famous for its healing power debouches. In the same year, a wooden chapel was built and some tim later a much larger masonry chapel was built. People of older generation consider Erškėtynas area as sacred. Generally, during Pentecost and other religious festivals they come here hoping for physical and spiritual recovery, refreshment of soul. It seems that Erškėtynas replicates the traditions of the Cross Hill.

If you are looking for the very beginning, you should also visit Gintarai hillfort which is also called Cherry Hill. Archeologists state that people lived here a very long time ago; thus, it is believed that the origins of Kartena are in this place. There was Kartena Manor on the hillfort surrounded by three ponds and an evangelical reformed church near the manor.there was Kartena Manor on the hillfort surrounded by 3 ponds and an evangelical reformed church near the manor. The legend tells that the master of the manor loved cherries and planted a large garden. After the Swedish people burnt the manor, the garden remained and in spring it would dress the hill with white blossom which reminded of the magnificant palance which stood here to the residents of Kartena for a long time. This is why the hill was called the Cherry Hill.

Have you ever heard a bell ringing in the fields? Do you know that the more often you hear a bell, the more intensely you ring it by yourself, the more your heart will open to divinity? You may have such experience in Orvidas Homestead-Museum. During the Soviet period, Vilnius Orvidas built a temple of stones and invited to ring the bell in it. He welcomed everyone who needed a meeting with oneself, the God and the Universe most. Orvidas Homestead-Museum is a space for those who are looking for peace of mind, renewal for the soul, inspiration irrespective of the age, faith and worldview. This is a unique and the only such place in Lithuania which is difficult to describe in words; everyone should visit it.