Kernave Museum-Reserve
Kernave Museum-Reserve
4.5
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The archaeological reserve contains many monuments including burial sites and a five-mound defense complex, the biggest of its kind in Lithuania.
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
31 reviews
Excellent
15
Very good
14
Average
1
Poor
1
Terrible
0
eja117
New England738 contributions
Aug 2022
The museum is quite nice and modern and sleek and clean. The mounds are amazing to be on top of. I did get a little lost trying to follow the map. There is a nice restaurant nearby where they use a small spit to roast meat and there's an orange cat that walks up to you for scraps. A very charming and calm cat.
Written December 26, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
acorna
Vilnius, Lithuania4,628 contributions
Jun 2021
Kernavė is the first capital in Lithuania. However, it is not for nothing called Troy of Lithuania, as its evolution was from a large and important medieval town to a sad 18 cottage hamlet in XIXth century and a small village with busy tourist centre nowadays. The medieval town was all timber, so only castle hills and archaeological artefacts are left from it. But for attraction of the visitors there is a reconstructed medieval village of tradesmen, which would benefit if there were more information available on site. Kernave is worth of a visit even for just great views, but to appreciate it in full, one needs guide and excursion or at least visit the museum first.
Written June 7, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Stephen P
Minneapolis, MN991 contributions
Jul 2013 • Friends
Kernave is a very important archeological and historical sight, not only for the history of Lithuania, but also for the history of Europe. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and deservedly so. Finds here date back 13,000 years to the end of the last ice age. You find here a cross section of history from the earliest human settlements in Europe to the present. It was a Lithuanian anthropologist who formed the hypothesis of the invasion of the Indo-European people that underlies the similarities among the classical Western and Indian cultures, as well as the cultures of the major tribes of Europe (Franks, Germans, etc.) and this is one of the places where there is evidence for this hypothesis. The interpretive center museum is small but very well done and it provides a nice database in your head for heading out and wandering through the large area including bluffs that overlook the river Neris. These include medeival hill fortifications that held the first residence of the first Lithuanian king, Mindaugas (13th century), the foundation of the first church in LIthuania, the last European country to be Christianized. Interestingly it is also an area where the indigenous nature religion and Christianity formed a harmonious collaboration that it still quite alive in the hearts of many Lithuanians to this day. The outdoor part of the site has a number of pleasant hiking trails, none of them difficult and many of them quite scenic. It makes for a beautiful afternoon. Try to catch the Lithuanian Traditional Arts Festival which happens every year in late June or early July.
Written July 10, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
travelingmom59
Winchester, VA88 contributions
Jun 2019 • Solo
I stayed in Kernave and went to the midsummer's festival. The town square was filled with craft and food booths. I went to the excellent museum in the afternoon before the festivities started outside in the Reserve. That helped because it's a little hard to picture what the landscape and buildings were like in the distant past. The views from the overlook to the river are amazing.
The festivities began in the early evening with a procession of costumed performers through the midsummer's arch. There was music at an outdoor stage and folk dancing in front. Everyone was encouraged to participate and the dances were simple enough to make it possible. As the sun went down the performers gathered at one end of a large field and sang songs. It was really moving. After a while, bonfires were lit and the music and dancing continued. The celebration continued through the night but I went back to my hotel early.
The festivities began in the early evening with a procession of costumed performers through the midsummer's arch. There was music at an outdoor stage and folk dancing in front. Everyone was encouraged to participate and the dances were simple enough to make it possible. As the sun went down the performers gathered at one end of a large field and sang songs. It was really moving. After a while, bonfires were lit and the music and dancing continued. The celebration continued through the night but I went back to my hotel early.
Written July 26, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
endis
Vilnius, Lithuania6,444 contributions
Mar 2019 • Couples
Museum is in the middle of small Kernave village. Displays are very well laid out showing the history from the first settlements thousands years ago until the middle ages when Kernave was burnt down. Definitely grab the very informative free audioguide to better understand the archaeological finds. Around 1 hour is needed to give the museum justice. Check the opening hours of the museum, always closed on Mondays and depending on the season Tuesdays and Sundays as well. Huge mounds/hill-forts and views are impressive any time of the year. Bring your own snacks and go hiking.
Written March 31, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
vvalker
Baku, Azerbaijan140 contributions
May 2013 • Solo
Spring is the best time to visit Kernave, some 40 km from Vilnius centre to North-West, Ancient castle hills are covered by perfect green grass. Master-view on Neris valley from Mindaugas throne castle hill. Just imagine how busy this ancient site was some 10 or 20 hundred years before, If you do not like company of other visitors, come during a busy day, there is a chance you will be the only person. If you like ethnnic festivals, 6th of July National holiday is the right time (check exact dates), as annual ancient arts festival is held around this date.
On the way back to Vilnius you may drop to Dukstu azuolynas (Dukshtu oak forest), some 10 from Kernave to Vilnius (on the left side, see for brown signs)
On the way back to Vilnius you may drop to Dukstu azuolynas (Dukshtu oak forest), some 10 from Kernave to Vilnius (on the left side, see for brown signs)
Written May 17, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Peter H
Oslo, Norway87 contributions
Oct 2015 • Friends
Kernave is unique in many ways. The first capital of Lithuania is like a well kept secret - till you are there, and till you understand why and how it was as it was - with its hills and closeness to the river.
Make an overview of the area, visit the yard of the office of the Catolic Church, visit the museum, make a walk around the churchyard, and do not forget to climb all the hills - to understand their value as fortresses and living areas for each of the larger grand families. Let the time fell into your mind - the time of WHEN Kernave used to be the Capital of Lithuania. Try to understand and to admire what you see. Of course you have to find the irondressed wolf, the statue of Moses and all the other. Enjoy
Oh - you also should try to visit the museum - but then you need to be there to the opening hours...
Make an overview of the area, visit the yard of the office of the Catolic Church, visit the museum, make a walk around the churchyard, and do not forget to climb all the hills - to understand their value as fortresses and living areas for each of the larger grand families. Let the time fell into your mind - the time of WHEN Kernave used to be the Capital of Lithuania. Try to understand and to admire what you see. Of course you have to find the irondressed wolf, the statue of Moses and all the other. Enjoy
Oh - you also should try to visit the museum - but then you need to be there to the opening hours...
Written November 1, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
TinaQ
Moscow, Russia1,856 contributions
Oct 2013 • Couples
I liked this archaeological reserve very much. It's a bit difficult to find at first as in Kernave there are no signposts that mark the place. Only after checking the street name we parked our car and went for a walk on one of the streets of this small town, past the shop and post office, with a large church at the end. Pass the church and you'll finally see the reserve itself, which, apart from many other sites, has five green mounds with many hidden gems underneath the ground. The site is well-marked and an info-board shows you where exactly where what kinds of artifacts found. You can walk up the mounds, but keep to the wooden stairs and don't wander off. On a sunny day you get a pretty view and a very nice, quiet atmosphere. I enjoyed it. Best of all, the reserve itself (given you're not going to the museum) is free to visit.
Written October 25, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Madan Gopal M
Bengaluru, India8,429 contributions
Aug 2019 • Couples
After walking up and down the mounds, we visited this excellent and well maintained Archeological and Historical Museum that showcases the the history of the Kernave from first signs of habitations and flourishing major trade settlement from 12th century. The staff at the Museum are very kind and assisted us in understanding the context of ancient times in the history of Lithuania. There is admission ticket for entry. A must visit to appreciate the importance of cultural reserve.Kernave is 35km northwest of Vilnius and regular buses are available, about one hour drive.
Written September 17, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
AilaAlbrecht
Baarn, The Netherlands84 contributions
Aug 2019 • Family
Please do not make the mistake to visit the Kernave site without spending an hour at the museum first. While the landscape and the views are nice, you will appreciate it much more if you‘ve had a look at all of the artefacts found here.
The entrance fee is minimal at €2 and the excellent audio guide is free.
The entrance fee is minimal at €2 and the excellent audio guide is free.
Written August 19, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Здравствуйте ! Я хотела бы узнать какие праздники и мероприятия будут проводиться в Кярнаве в конце августа 2018
Written August 22, 2018
Ближайшее событие „ARCHAEOLOGY FOR THE PEOPLE: Exhibition, Experience and Performance“ 2018 сентябрь 13-15.
Список событий можно посмотреть на странице Кярнаве.
Written August 23, 2018
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