The Way of St. James, section Viešvilė-Smalininkai-Jurbarkas

SECTION DESCRIPTION:

As this is a border area, you will need to have your identity document with you for this section.

After crossing Viešvilė, head along the road called Trapėnkelis, making your way towards Nemunas. When you reach the river, you’ll be able to see Trapėnai on the opposite bank of Nemunas. On this side, there was the Viešvilė pier and ferry, and between 1923 and 1939, a customs post and border crossing. Cross-border movement was bustling due to the significant price differences. Trapėnai residents would come to Viešvilė to buy foodstuffs, while those from Viešvilė would travel to Trapėnai to purchase industrial goods.

To the east of the road, a memorial cross stands proudly on a small hill. It commemorates the tragic event of 1976, when 16 teenagers from the Viešvilė orphanage and a ferryman drowned in the Nemunas River near the ferry crossing. This monument serves as a reminder to all: Nemunas is not only beautiful but also a powerful and, at times, dangerous river.

Continue along the former narrow-gauge railway until you reach Kazikėnai. The royal manor in Kazikėnai is thought to have been established in the 17th century. The estate was once rented out, but at the beginning of the 19th century, it was privatised.

Only a few outbuildings, made of stones and red bricks, have survived to this day. These outbuildings are stylish and feature beautiful architecture, they're believed to date back to the 19th century. The new owners of the manor recognised the value of these buildings and restored them. New buildings have also been constructed nearby, using the same building materials, helping to preserve the cohesive appearance of the manor complex. Kazikėnai was once known for its organic farming and horse breeding.

The exterior of the manor is open to all, but if you'd like to explore the life of the manor today, you’ll need to arrange a visit with the owners.

Continue on to Smalininkai, one of the towns of Lithuania Minor, and you’ll encounter the longest oak avenue in Lithuania. Smalininkai is home to the Museum of Ancient Technology, the oldest water metering station in Lithuania, and the historic old port.

On your journey, be sure to stop by the Šventoji River, which once separated Lithuania Major from Lithuania Minor, and visit the homestead of miniature artist Lida Meškaitytė. You’ll witness the old Kalnėnai forest, the flow of the Nemunas River, and the way lush greenery beautifully lines the road from Smalininkai to Jurbarkas. In the south-western part of Jurbarkas, in Kalnėnai, you can find the "children" of the Jurbarkas and Bišpilis hillforts, the Bišpiliukai. Did you know that Bišpiliukai in Kalnėnai are also known as Pipirkalniai (or Pepper Hills)?

Upon arriving in Jurbarkas, you’ll see where the Imsrė River joins the Mituva. Here, you'll find Jurbarkas's pontoon pier. When you visit Jurbarkas Manor Park, you will come across two very similar outbuildings from the former manor. The southern outbuilding is home to the Jurbarkas Tourism and Business Information Centre, while the northern outbuilding hosts the Jurbarkas Region Museum. Nearby stands a former Orthodox church, now the Jurbarkas Exhibition and Concert Hall. At the end of the park is the Vincas Grybas Memorial Museum, once the forester's office during the manor's heyday. The museum showcases the works of sculptor V. Grybas. Be sure to visit Jurbarkas Old Town, including Kauno Street and the Church of Holy Trinity. This neo-Gothic church was constructed between 1901 and 1907.

In 1940, a fire in the town damaged the church: the upper wooden spires of both towers were scorched, and the interior furnishings were destroyed. However, Rector Anatolijus Stanevičius organised the restoration of the church. The church is currently adorned with three sculptures by V. Grybas: The Crucified, St. Peter, and St. Paul. The sculptor created them in 1936-1937 for the Sintautai church and donated the casts to the Jurbarkas church after the fire in 1940. You can also admire a valuable wooden sculpture of St. Casimir from the early 20th century. The interior wooden details of the church were crafted by woodworker Pranas Mikutaitis. The churchyard gate is decorated with three ornamental iron crosses from the 19th century. Jurbarkas is also home to another spiritual centre of remarkable beauty – the Kristijonas Donelaitis Evangelical Lutheran Church. This new house of worship was completed and consecrated in the summer of 2014.

Stay in Jurbarkas overnight and take the time to explore this charming city in Western Lithuania.

USEFUL LINKS:

• Jurbarkas Tourism and Business Information Centre www.jurbarkas.info

PILIGRIM ACCOMMODATION INFORMATION

Note: The table only lists the locations accommodating pilgrims.