Northern Lithuania, and especially the Pasvalys and Joniškis regions, since the time of the independence war in 1918-1940 was characterized by vivid traditions of partisan warfare. The first partisan units were organized here. 1944 - 1946 Jonas Alenčikas Dragūnas was the commander of a partisan unit operating in the Žadeikiai forest. In 1945 partisans led by him installed a rather large bunker in the Žadeikiai forest, the length of which reached 30 m and the width of 6 m. A bunker of this size perfectly reflects the first stage of Lithuanian partisan battles, when partisans operated in large groups and lived in spacious bunkers or forest camps. The bunker was destroyed during the battle, but after the restoration of Lithuania's independence, the bunker was rebuilt by the Pasvalys rifle company. Currently, the bunker is under the supervision of the Pasvalys Local History Museum, a partisan camp has been restored near the bunker, a new memorial cross and an information stand have been built. ℹ️ Project LL-00052 “Extending the Baltic military heritage tourism product in Lithuania and South Latvia" (Military Heritage II), which is being implemented with the support of the European Union Interreg Latvia - Lithuania Programme #militaryheritage #latlit #militaryheritagetourism #militaryhistory

The Dimitravas Forced Labor Camp operated from 1937 to 1940 and in the latter half of 1941 to 1944 in Dimitravas (near Kretinga). Military commanders sent individuals selected by the political police and district chiefs to the camp when there was insufficient evidence to substantiate their guilt. These individuals could be held there for up to one year, with an additional six months for bad behavior. The forced labor involved stone-cutting. In 1939, 337 people were imprisoned in the camp, mainly for political offenses. Most of them were communists or individuals deemed dangerous to the authoritarian regime. In the summer of 1940, the camp was closed by the Soviet authorities. During the Nazi occupation, Soviet activists and farmers who failed to fulfill their obligations were held and executed there (1,770 people were killed). ℹ️ Project LL-00052 “Extending the Baltic military heritage tourism product in Lithuania and South Latvia" (Military Heritage II), which is being implemented with the support of the European Union Interreg Latvia - Lithuania Programme #militaryheritage #latlit #militaryheritagetourism #militaryhistory

🇱🇻 Iepazīsti neparastāko muzeju - Abrenes istabas Ziemeļlatvijā, kur unikālas ekspozīcijas atklāj vietējo pieredzi Pasaules karu un Padomju okupācijas laikā. Dokumenti, fotogrāfijas un priekšmeti ļauj ielūkoties sarežģītajā Latvijas vēstures posmā. Izjūti Abrenes apgabala iedzīvotāju stāstu un viņu spēku, pārdzīvojot laikmeta izaicinājumus. 🇬🇧 Discover one of Latvia’s most unique museums – the Abrene Rooms in Northern Latvia, where unique exhibits reveal local experiences during the World Wars and Soviet occupation. Explore authentic documents, photographs, and artifacts that illustrate a turbulent period in Latvian history. Dive into the story of the Abrene region and its people’s resilience amid challenging times. #militaryheritageinlatvia #militaryheritagetourism

Hiding from persecution and prying eyes, Lithuanian partisans built bunkers in the strangest and most unexpected places: in the dense forests, in farmers' saunas, under barns and stables, on floating lake islands and in swamps. Although today the forest surrounding the Plunksnočiai bunker is easily accessible and suitable for walking, after World War II the bunker was surrounded by a swampy forest with a small hill in the middle of the swamp. It was on this hill that the partisans established their hideout, where they stayed hidden until 1956, when the bunker was betrayed. ℹ️ Project LL-00052 “Extending the Baltic military heritage tourism product in Lithuania and South Latvia" (Military Heritage II), which is being implemented with the support of the European Union Interreg Latvia - Lithuania Programme #militaryheritage #latlit #militaryheritagetourism #militaryhistory

During the Military Heritage tourism experience exchange trip to Estonia in the beginning of October, project partners and stakeholders from Latvia 🇱🇻 and Lithuania 🇱🇹 visited Railway and Communications Museum in Haapsalu (Raudtee- ja Sidemuuseum), Estonia 🇪🇪 🚂 In the previous military heritage Estonia-Latvia Programme project, the oldest broad-gauge steam locomotive in Estonia was restored. 🚌 Experience exchange trip to Estonia was organized within the project LL-00052 “Extending the Baltic military heritage tourism product in Lithuania and South Latvia" (Military Heritage II), which is being implemented with the support of the European Union and Interreg Latvia - Lithuania Programme. #militaryheritage #latlit #haapsalu #militaryheritagetourism #militaryhistory #visitestonia

Between 1944 and 1949, this hideout served as the headquarters for the Eastern Lithuania (King Mindaugas) region of Lithuanian partisans. In the summer of 1944, Balys Žukauskas, along with his brothers Petras and Juozas Jovaiša, established the hideout and began to evade the mobilization into the Red Army, which had been announced in 1944. The hideout, which successfully sheltered partisans for five years, was betrayed on October 28, 1949. Surrounded by MGB (Ministry of State Security) troops, the partisans hiding in the homestead refused to surrender and detonated explosives, ending their lives. ℹ️ Project LL-00052 “Extending the Baltic military heritage tourism product in Lithuania and South Latvia" (Military Heritage II), which is being implemented with the support of the European Union Interreg Latvia - Lithuania Programme #militaryheritage #latlit #militaryheritagetourism #militaryhistory

Vakar "Lauku ceļotājs" novadīja pārgājienu pa JŪRTAKU ROJĀ ap 80 dalībniekiem no 22 EIROPAS VALSTĪM, kas Latvijā iepazina garo pārgājienu maršrutu izveides procesu, MILITĀRO MANTOJUMU gar bijušo DZELZS PRIEKŠKARU un piekrastes biotopu apsaimniekošanu. Apskatījām vācu armijas būvēto betona torni Rojā kā vienu no apkaimes militārā mantojuma objektiem.

The "Military Heritage II" project partners and stakeholders from Latvia 🇱🇻 and Lithuania 🇱🇹 visiting coastal batteries at Tahkuna, Hiiumaa island, Estonia 🇪🇪 🚌 Military Heritage tourism experience exchange trip to Estonia was organized within the project LL-00052 “Extending the Baltic military heritage tourism product in Lithuania and South Latvia" (Military Heritage II), which is being implemented with the support of the European Union and Interreg Latvia - Lithuania Programme. #militaryheritage #latlit #visithiiumaa #militaryheritagetourism #militaryhistory #visitestonia

Today we conclude to explore 🔎 Hiiumaa and its military heritage 🪖 by visiting Orjaku military harbour ⚓️, and Elamuskeskus Tuuletorn - Windtower Experience, where it was possible to see and learn interesting and interactive solutions for creating experiences for visitors. Our Military Heritage tourism experience exchange trip 🚌 to Estonia 🇪🇪 began on Monday with first site visit to Railway and Communications Museum (Raudtee- ja Sidemuuseum) 🚂 in Haapsalu. This museum is housed in a train station built in the early 20th century and it showcases the one-and-a-half centuries of development of Estonian railways and mediums of communication. The outdoor exhibition also displays a World War II steam locomotive. 💡 It was really interesting and useful to get to know the military heritage tourism examples and experiences from the previous Estonia-Latvia Programme military hetitage project from our friends in Estonia 🤝 for the future product development in Latvia and Lithuania. ℹ️ This activity is organized within the project LL-00052 “Extending the Baltic military heritage tourism product in Lithuania and South Latvia" (Military Heritage II), which is being implemented with the support of the European Union Interreg Latvia - Lithuania Programme. #militaryheritage #latlit #visithiiumaa #militaryheritagetourism #militaryhistory Lauku Ceļotājs / Baltic Country Holidays | Zemgales Plānošanas reģions / Zemgale Planning Region | AtostogosKaime.lt | Žemaitijos nacionalinis parkas | Latgale.Travel

The "Military Heritage II" project team together with stakeholders from Latvia 🇱🇻 and Lithuania 🇱🇹 are in Military Heritage tourism experience exchange trip in Estonia 🇪🇪 Today we went to Hiiumaa island to learn 👨‍🏫 from practice examples of military heritage tourism objects in Hiiumaa with our guide Ain Tähiste. 📍 We visited Hiiumaa Military Museum (Hiiumaa Militaarmuuseum) and its exhibition introducing the military history of Hiiumaa. 📍 Afterwards we visited Tahkuna Lighthouse, which is the tallest cast iron lighthouse on the coasts of Estonia. 📍 Our itineray also included the Coastal Batteries at Tahkuna and a two-storey underground control centre with two entrance tunnels. ℹ️This activity is organized within the project LL-00052 “Extending the Baltic military heritage tourism product in Lithuania and South Latvia" (Military Heritage II), which is being implemented with the support of the European Union Interreg Latvia - Lithuania Programme. #militaryheritage #latlit #visithiiumaa #militaryheritagetourism #militaryhistory Lauku Ceļotājs / Baltic Country Holidays | Zemgales Plānošanas reģions / Zemgale Planning Region | AtostogosKaime.lt | Žemaitijos nacionalinis parkas | Latgale.Travel

2014. gadā tika izdota filma "Segvārds Vientulis" (rež. Normunds Pucis), kura vēsta par katoļu priestera Antona Juhņeviča traģisko likteni, kurš iesaistījās nacionālo partizānu cīņā pēckara Latgalē 🍁 Sekojot galvenā varoņa Antona Juhņeviča dzīves pēdējo gadu notikumiem, filma atklāj faktus par Latvijas okupāciju un nacionālās pretošanās kustības darbību Latgalē. Vanagu baznīca atrodas Preiļu novadā, apmeklējama arī mūsdienās, iepriekš sazinoties ar Visit Preiļi.

📣 A new project has been started to implement accessibility solutions so that the experience of military heritage tourism can be enjoyed by everyone 🙌 📍 Partners from 🇱🇻 Latvia and 🇪🇪 Estonia of the new Estonia-Latvia Programme project "Improved Accessibility of the Latvian-Estonian Military Heritage Tourism Product" (MIL-HER ACCESSIBLE) met this week for the first partners' meeting to start active work on jointly developed, piloted and implemented 4 accessibility solutions in 11 Estonian-Latvian military heritage tourism sites, thus improving the accessibility for different social groups: school-aged youth and people with visual, mobility, and anxiety restrictions. 🎓 The project partners also visited Latvijas Kara muzejs/Latvian War Museum, where they got acquainted with the museum's offer for school groups. 👉 More about the project: www.celotajs.lv/en/project/44 🪖 Military heritage tourism offer in Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia: www.militaryheritagetourism.info ℹ️ Project EE-LV00094 “Improved Accessibility of the Latvian-Estonian Military Heritage Tourism Product" (MIL-HER ACCESSIBLE) is being implemented with the support of the European Union Interreg VI-A Estonia-Latvia Programme 2021-2027. #militaryheritage #tourism #estlat #Interreg #accessibility Lauku Ceļotājs / Baltic Country Holidays | Karosta | Rehabilitācijas centrs Līgatne | Saldus novada pašvaldība | Visit Cēsis | Latvijas Okupācijas muzejs/Museum of the Occupation of Latvia | Sõjavara Muuseum | Raudtee- ja Sidemuuseum | Eesti Sõjamuuseum | Eesti Lennundusmuuseum / Estonian Aviation Museum | Hiiumaa Militaarmuuseum | Puhkus Maal

Rainiai Chapel of Suffering 🎚 📍On June 25-26, 1941, one of the most gruesome massacres in the history of the Soviet occupation of Lithuania took place in Rainiai forest. During the night, 76 political prisoners from Telšiai prison - intellectuals from the Telšiai region, were brutally tortured and killed by the Red Army and Soviet repressive institutions. The bodies of the victims, buried in a common grave, were discovered a few days later by a passerby. 📍To commemorate the memory of the victims and the suffering of all victims of the Soviet regime, the Rainiai Chapel of Suffering was built in 1991. This bright and minimalist sanctuary, created by prominent Lithuanian artists, has become a place of peaceful rest and reflection. The chapel's interior is dominated by white, symbolizing purity and innocence, while the red traces of blood in the stained-glass windows serve as a reminder of the brutal massacre. 📍The Rainiai Chapel of Suffering is not only a memorial but also a reminder that we must never forget the lessons of history and must continue to fight for freedom and democracy. 📍More about the Chapel: https://www.muziejusalka.lt/main-meniu-chapel-of-the-passion-of-the-saints/ 📍Audioguide in EN: https://zemaitijoskelias.lt/en/objects/rainiai-massacre-place-and-chapel-complex #latlit #interreg #militaryheritage #heritagetourism #militaryheritagetourism

#militāraismantojums #kurzeme

Baltic Business Quarterly, a magazine published by the German-Baltic Chamber of Commerce, writes about Baltic 🇪🇪 🇱🇻 🇱🇹 military heritage tourism and its connection with 🇩🇪 Germany ⬇️ 🙏 Thanks to the magazine for introducing its readers to the common history of the Baltic States and the opportunities to learn about it!

Yesterday Lithuanian countryside tourism association organized the first seminar in Panevėžys Narrow Gauge Railway Station. During the event "Military Heritage" project was introduced to tourism information centers, guides and other stakeholders. Throughout the event, we delved into the development of military heritage tourism, explored information dissemination strategies, marketing channels, and the importance of authentic storytelling. We are pleased to have shared best practices – Dr. Darius Liutikas’ presentation attracted great interest. His insights on the history, heritage, and marketing of the Narrow Gauge Railway will undoubtedly contribute to the creation of valuable and attractive military tourism products. Interreg Latvia - Lithuania Programme #latlit #interreg #militaryheritage #heritagetourism #militaryheritagetourism

On Friday (09-20 September) in Plateliai an information seminar of the activities of the project LL00052 "Military heritage II" took place. The aim of the event was to present the activities of the project to military heritage tourism enthusiasts. The event was attended by local tourism service providers, owners and maintainers of military heritage sites and specialists of tourist information centres. 📍Alina Borzenkaitė, the project historian, presented the military heritage objects, which are currently being identified and described by the project partner, the Žemaitija National Park Directorate. 📍Ramūnas Lydis, Director of Žemaitija National Park, presented the pilot project object - the Cold War exhibition. 📍 Guest speaker Aurimas Rapalis, Director of the Salantai Culture Centre, a great enthusiast of the partisan struggles and the author of the exposition "Partisans' House", presented the objects of the partisan movement in the vicinity of Žemaitija National Park. Later, all participants took part in a guided tour of the military town of Plokštinė and the Cold War exposition. 📌Please note that the Military heritage II project aims to increase the role of military heritage tourism in economic development by including the Baltic military heritage product in Lithuania and southern Latvia. More information about the project: https://latlit.eu/theprojects/military-heritage-ii/ Military heritage tourism sites are presented on the platform: https://militaryheritagetourism.info/lt #latlit #interreg #militaryheritage #heritagetourism #militaryheritagetourism

🧩🗺Uz salas Daugavā, Koknesē atrodas "Likteņdārzs". Tā ir vieta, kur satiekas pagātne, tagadne un nākotne. 📌Šeit izveidota arī piemiņas vieta Sibīrijas mātēm. Par viņu pašaizliedzību un lielo uzupurēšanos atgādinās vārdi: "Māt, tu man dāvāji dzīvību divreiz. Kad piedzimu un kad nenomiru badā. Sibīrijas bērns". 🪖Tāpat dārza teritorijā saglabājušies Pirmā pasaules kara ierakumi. Tajos latviešu strēlniekiem izveidota piemiņas vieta, ko atklāja strēlnieku pulku dibināšanas 100. gadadienā. Tās kompozīciju veido divas daļas. Latvijas laukakmeņu grupa simbolizē mājās palikušos, bet laukakmeņu rinda, kas izvietota Pirmā pasaules kara ierakumos, – latviešu strēlniekus. ​ 📸Pateicamies par foto Visit Aizkraukles novads | Visit Koknese ➡️Vairāk: https://www.liktendarzs.lv/ #latlit #interreg #militaryheritage #heritagetourism #militaryheritagetourism

This week, in September 10-11, partners of project "Extending the Baltic military heritage tourism product in Lithuania and South Latvia" met in Klaipėda, 🇱🇹 Lithuania, to discuss the work done in the project so far and next tasks 🎯 Project partners also visited two military heritage tourism objects in Lithuania: ⚔️ ship-museum M52 "Sūduvis" in Klaipėda. The purpose of the ship was once mine-hunting, detection and destruction; ⚔️ museum exposition in the coastal defense battery "Memel Nord" located in the north of Klaipeda. 📝 The project team continues an active work on the expansion and development of the Baltic military heritage tourism product! ℹ️ Project LL-00052 “Extending the Baltic military heritage tourism product in Lithuania and South Latvia" (Military Heritage II) is being implemented with the support of the European Union and Interreg Latvia - Lithuania Programme. Lauku Ceļotājs / Baltic Country Holidays | Zemgales Plānošanas reģions / Zemgale Planning Region | AtostogosKaime.lt | Žemaitijos nacionalinis parkas | Latgale.Travel #militaryheritage #tourism #latlit #Interreg #militāraismantojums

🧐 Zemgales plānošanas reģionā ir daudz tūrisma objektu, starp tiem arī dažādas interesantas ekspozīcijas, kas saistītas ar militārā mantojuma tūrismu. Viena no tādām apskatāma Jēkabpils novads vēstures muzejā | Krustpils pils / Krustpils Castle Šeit izvietota ekspozīcija "Cīņas par brīvību 20. gadsimtā". 📚Padomju represijas. Smagas atmiņas. Te sēžot klubkrēslā, iespēja klausīties jēkabpilieša Ilmāra Knaģa grāmatas “Bij tādi laiki” fragmentus. Uz vienas no telpas sienām bezkaislīgi, kā titri pēc kinofilmas slīd uz Sibīriju izvesto pilsētnieku saraksts. Turpat vecajā televizorā var noskatīties amatiervideo par Ļeņina pieminekļa noņemšanu Jēkabpilī. Apmeklētājos interesi izraisa ne tikai saturs, bet arī tehniskās iespējas. ℹ️ Jēkabpils vēstures muzejs atrodas Krustpils pilī. 1940. gadā pēc Latvijas iekļaušanas PSRS sastāvā Krustpils pilī izvietojās 126. strēlnieku divīzija. Otrā Pasaules kara laikā pilī atradās vācu lazarete, bet pēc 1944. gada augusta Sarkanarmijas kara hospitālis. Pēc kara Krustpils pili ar pieguļošajām muižas ēkām aizņēma Padomju armijas 16. tāllidojuma izlūkošanas aviācijas pulka un 15. gaisa armijas centrālās noliktavas. 🔎Plašāk: https://militaryheritagetourism.info/lv/military/sites/view/595?0 📸FOTO: Tūrisms Jēkabpils novadā #latlit #interreg #militaryheritage #heritagetourism #militaryheritagetourism

Nenokavē! 👇

In 2019 In June, a memorial dedicated to the memory of the Holocaust victims was opened in Biržai district, Lithuania. The memorial commemorates the names of more than 500 known victims. Many Lithuanians living in Israel visit Lithuanian memorial sites every year, where their relatives were shot during the Second World War. 📸 © Biržų turizmo ir verslo informacijos centras #latlit #interreg #militaryheritage #heritagetourism #militaryheritagetourism

In 1944 in October "Lokio" team was formed in the vicinity of the village of Antazave, which was led by Mykolas Kazanas. In the Antazavė heath, near Vinčežeris lake, on a hill covered with young firs and pines, the partisans established 5 hutch. In a short period of time, they completed several combat missions and replenished their supplies of weapons and food, and fought several times with stragglers and Soviet activists. Now the 2 reconstructed hutchs are a state-protected object, included in the list of cultural heritage objects. in 1994 an oak commemorative plaque was build with the inscription: "The place of the partisan struggle against the Soviet occupiers". #latlit #interreg #militaryheritage #heritagetourism #militaryheritagetourism

Exhibitions and commemorations are regularly organized in Kaunas IX Fort. This summer, visitors were able to view the outdoor exhibition (UN)FILLED VOID. In 1941 June 14 At night, the mass forcible removal of Lithuanian residents to the harshest regions of the USSR began. The purpose of the deportations was to change the social and national composition of the Lithuanian population, to suppress resistance to the occupation regime. The exhibition conveys the drama of separation experienced by families after the June 1941 repressions. #latlit #interreg #militaryheritage #heritagetourism #militaryheritagetourism