Panemunė Castle is a castle on the right bank of the
Nemunas river, in
Vytėnai,
Jurbarkas district,
Lithuania.
The initial
hill fort
A hillfort is a type of earthwork used as a fortified refuge or defended settlement, located to exploit a rise in elevation for defensive advantage. They are typically European and of the Bronze Age or Iron Age. Some were used in the post- ...
of the
Teutonic Knights
The Order of Brothers of the German House of Saint Mary in Jerusalem, commonly known as the Teutonic Order, is a Catholic religious institution founded as a military society in Acre, Kingdom of Jerusalem. It was formed to aid Christians on ...
(erected 1343) was replaced by a castle built in 1604-1610 by a noble Hungarian descent János Eperjes. The name "Panemunė" ("along the Nemunas", pronounced Pa-ne-''mu''-ne), it is guessed, arose from the former Panemunė Manor that was once here. Panemunė Castle was not designed to be a stronghold for the defence of the land but a typical, for the beginning of the 17th century, nobleman castle with defensive fittings, residential buildings, and farm buildings. Panemunė Castle became one of the most beautiful
Renaissance
The Renaissance ( , ) , from , with the same meanings. is a period in European history marking the transition from the Middle Ages to modernity and covering the 15th and 16th centuries, characterized by an effort to revive and surpass id ...
era building in Lithuania. The castle was reconstructed around 1759 by
Gelgaudai family. The new owners established lawish manor house like interiors with frescos, which has been recently discovered, while remaining wings of the castle is still under restoration.
At present the castle is prepared for visitors. The castle stands in a park on a high hill and is surrounded by five cascading ponds. During a tourism season, works of Vilnius Art Academy are exhibited in the castle. It is possible to walk inside the castle, and admire the wonderful view that open from the castle tower.
Gallery
File:Panemune Castle.jpg, Panemunė Castle in the 19th century depicted by Napoleon Orda
File:LT-2007-50litų-Panemunės pilis-b.png, Litas commemorative coin
Commemorative coins are coins issued to commemorate some particular event or issue with a distinct design with reference to the occasion on which they were issued. Many coins of this category serve as collectors items only, although some countries ...
dedicated to Panemunė Castle
File:Vitenai001.JPG, Panemunė castle nowadays
File:Vitenai002.JPG, Pond near the castle
File:Panemune Castle Aerial.jpg, An aerial shot of Panemunė Castle
See also
*
List of castles in Lithuania
References
External links
Panemunės pilis
Interior
The Association of Castles and Museums around the Baltic Sea
Castles in Lithuania
Renaissance architecture in Lithuania
Houses completed in 1610
Castles of the Teutonic Knights
Buildings and structures in Tauragė County
Tourist attractions in Tauragė County
1343 establishments in Europe
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