Birutė Hill
Birutės kalnas
A coastal dune hill within the botanical park, legendarily a sacred pagan site guarded by the Grand Duchess Birutė, with a small chapel on its summit.
Birutė Hill is an ancient sand dune about 24 metres high. Legend says that Birutė, the wife of 14th-century Lithuanian Grand Duke Kęstutis, served as a pagan sacred fire priestess here. Archaeological finds suggest there was once a wooden sanctuary and astronomical observation facilities on the summit. Today, the top is occupied by a red-brick Neo-Gothic chapel built in 1869, and a statue of Birutė stands at the foot of the hill. The climb takes only a few minutes, and from the top you can glimpse the sea through the pine trees. It pairs well with a visit to the botanical park and the Amber Museum.
Opening hours
Open all day; chapel open in summer
Nearby sights
- Palanga Botanical Park
- Palanga Beach
- Palanga Amber Museum
- Antanas Mončys House-Museum
- J. Basanavičiaus Street
- Palanga Pier
- Church of the Assumption, Palanga
- Dutchman's Cap & Seaside Regional Park