Šilalės Didysis kūlis, Ancient granite boulder in Skuodas District, Lithuania.
Šilalės Didysis kūlis is a massive granite boulder in Skuodas District that rises roughly 4 meters high and measures about 7 meters long and 5 meters wide at its base. The stone sits in a circular pit approximately 13 to 16 meters across and about 2 meters deep, surrounded by stone steps that lead down to it.
This boulder served as a pagan temple site until the 17th century, standing at the heart of an ancient oak forest that held sacred meaning for the local people. Archaeological studies conducted between 1960 and 2006 uncovered evidence of its religious function over many centuries.
Local legends speak of a wind's son sleeping beneath this massive stone, and nearby stands a ritual stone carved with a shallow bowl used for ancient offerings. This place held deep spiritual meaning for the people who gathered here to honor their traditions.
Visit when the ground is dry, as the stone steps down into the pit can become slippery in rain or snow. The stairs are spaced wide enough for safe descent and ascent, and the open pit provides plenty of room to walk around and see the boulder from different angles.
The boulder contains a distinctive mix of minerals including feldspar, plagioclase, quartz, and biotite that scientists find remarkable. This mineral composition tells the story of how the granite was formed deep underground over millions of years before being exposed on the surface.
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