Lithuanian Castles 2005

In 2006, the Directorate of the State Cultural Reserve of Vilnius Castles (established on July 1, 2004) released its first publication - the journal "Lietuvos pilys-2005." (Castles of Lithuania-2005) (Print run - 500 copies.)

"Lietuvos pilys" is an annual publication dedicated to the scientific and cultural-cognitive issues of the castles, castle sites, and late medieval hillforts of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania.

Until now, similar topics in the press were presented episodically in periodicals such as "Lithuanian Museums," "Lithuanian Archaeology," in the continuous publication dedicated to the research of the Lower Castle of Vilnius "The Lower Castle of Vilnius," in the collection of articles "Archaeology of Lithuanian Castles" (material from the conference held in Klaipėda), "Castella maris Baltici" (material from the international scientific conference), and so on. However, these publications are either intended for the academic circle and are inaccessible to the general public or have a slightly different field of interest. The new publication fills a vacant niche and is expected to capture the interest of both the academic community and those who are not indifferent to Lithuanian history.

The first issue of the "Lithuanian Castles" publication with the date 2005 appeared not by chance: these years are jubilee ones, marking 50 years since the beginning of archaeological research in the Lower Castle of Vilnius. We celebrated the anniversaries of three scientists - researchers of Lithuanian castles: Dr. habil. Adolph Tautavičius's 80th birthday, Dr. habil. Vytautas Urbanavičius's 70th birthday, Prof. habil. Vladas Žulkauskas's 60th birthday. Separate articles in the publication are dedicated to these anniversaries. The themes of other articles are mostly related to the issues of three historical Lithuanian capitals - Kernavė, Trakai, and Vilnius - through scientific research, heritage conservation, and adaptation to the needs of society.

The publication is richly illustrated, enhancing its artistic and cognitive value. The cover is adorned with an image of a 16th-century tile found during archaeological research in the Lower Castle of Vilnius, featuring the historical symbol of the Lithuanian state - the knight.

This journal provides space for both specialized and popular articles. In addition to scientific questions, issues related to monument protection are discussed, and information about heritage is disseminated, as envisaged in the Law of the Republic of Lithuania on the Protection of Immovable Cultural Heritage, which has not been widely promoted until now.

In addition to publications by recognized scholars - historians, archaeologists, architects, art historians, etc. - the publication, which should reach the public every year, will allow graduate and doctoral students of higher education institutions to publish their research material. The public will be informed about the latest research (especially important for history teachers), cultural events, museum exhibitions and displays, conferences, and seminars.

The second issue of the publication will be dedicated to the 500th anniversary of the death of the Grand Duke of Lithuania, Alexander Jagiellon. This issue will address issues related to his personality, activities, and cultural ties, as well as the issues of the 15th-16th century Grand Duchy of Lithuania.

CONTENT:

Vytautas Urbanavičius. The Territory of Vilnius Castles – the Historical Core of World Heritage.

Daiva Steponavičienė. Overview of the Palace of the Grand Dukes Research.

Rūta Janonienė. Description of Catherine Jagiellon's Estate – a 16th-century Manor Household Document.

Daiva Steponavičienė. Lower Castle Garden in Vilnius: Data and Problems of Reconstruction.

Rasa Valatkevičienė. Rings of the Lower Castle in Vilnius from the 14th to the 17th Century.

Eduardas Remecas. Territory of the Palace of the Grand Dukes – Numismatic Treasure.

Povilas Blaževičius. Game Boards in the Lower Castle of Vilnius.

Arūnas Puškorius, Jurgita Kalėjienė. Clothing of the Nobility in the 16th-century Lower Castle of Vilnius.

Donatas Žukauskas. Dating Problems of Medininkai Castle.

Brigita Balčytienė. Trakai Island Castle.

Vydas Narvidas. Castle of the Trakai Peninsula: Resurrection from Ruins and Oblivion.

Justina Bliujūtė. Kernavė Archaeological Site – UNESCO World Heritage.

Aldona Skučienė. The Path of Archaeological Finds to the Exhibition.

Daiva Luchtanienė. Experimental Archaeology: Between Science and Culture.

Indrė Jovaišaitė, Daiva Steponavičienė. Medieval Fair at the Palace of the Grand Dukes.

Liudas Glemža. Lower Castle of Vilnius in the 16th – early 19th century: Historical Source Search in 2002–2004.

Gintautas Zabiela. The First Book on Medieval Archaeology in Lithuania. Aleksejus Luchtanas. Monument to Lithuanian Hillforts.