Krzywy Gród w Wilnie, Medieval fortification site in Vilnius, Lithuania
Crooked Castle is a fortified hilltop standing where the Neris and Vilnelė rivers meet in Vilnius. The site rises prominently above the surrounding areas and covers an expanse that allows visitors to walk across its flattened top.
Archaeological work carried out in the late 1980s and early 1990s uncovered multiple wooden defensive structures built at different times. The findings showed that the site served as a fortified place from the 12th century onward, with successive layers revealing continuous military use.
The hilltop serves as a place where locals and visitors reflect on the city's medieval roots and Lithuania's early history. The white crosses standing there today mark a spiritual connection to the past that people continue to recognize when they visit.
The site is easily reached through Kalnų Park and offers straightforward access to the hilltop where interpretive markers explain the medieval structures. A visit works well in any season, though spring and summer months give clearer views of the surrounding landscape.
Excavators found burnt wooden buildings and iron tools buried at the base of the hill, revealing how people lived during medieval times at this location. The recovered household items and crafted objects show traces of daily activities and work that took place in the settlement below.
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