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26-399: ... Life is a constant movement. A Wide variety of different forms emerge and disappear... Over the thousand years, stones grow and decay. Life explodes, animals and people are born and so lost... These days, people learn how to look at nature at more calmed glance. And life effects are clearly visible in a strong relationship with nature as if the person opens the whole mystery of nature, all of

52-493: A school, rectory and the Evangelical Lutheran church buildings. Martynas Jankus homestead still called "Book-smugglers" Mecca can also be found there. In the forest near Rambynas is a tight graveyard called the pantheon of Lithuania Minor . This is the final resting place of Vydūnas , Martynas Jankus , V.K. Banaitis , A. Žvinakis and E. Grigolaitytė. After World War II, Lithuania Minor has lost many of its people so

78-739: A variety of topical issues related to the park. Magazine –almanac "Rambynas” released once a year. This is a richly illustrated 86 - page publication, a prominent Lithuanian historians and scientists examine Rambynas and Pagėgiai surrounding areas, as well as culture, history, environmental issues and to provide a wide popular readership of Lithuania Minor . The journal provides a summary in English language. Press, Television, Radio Support Fund ( PTRSF) partially supports and funds project “Rambynas - Lithuania Minor ethnographic identity preservation" - already several years presented on magazine “Rambynas”. The park contains several reserves established to protect both

104-496: Is a 17 trunk spruce tree, nearby "Oak Alley", which is an object of Natural Heritage, can be found. In the centre of Bitėnai village a colony of white storks are located which in the summer time nest in the pine trees. The park area encounters 8 species of bats, of which, 5 are included in the Red Data Book of Lithuania (Book of highly endangered or near extinct animals and plants). In the woods of Šereiklaukis lives Fat Dormouse . In

130-689: Is a small village in the Pagėgiai Municipality , in western Lithuania . According to the 2011 census, it had population of 76, a decline from 119 in 2001. It is situated along the Neman River near the Rambynas hill and is known as the location of the Martynas Jankus printing press. Jankus Museum and the visitors' center of the Rambynas Regional Park are located in the village. Bitėnai

156-472: Is developed as a pantheon of Lithuania Minor . In 1996, German writer Ulla Lachauer  [ de ] published Paradise Road ( Paradiesstraße. Lebenserinnerungen der ostpreußischen Bäuerin Lena Grigoleit ), a memoir by Lena Grigoleit (Elena Grigolaitytė-Kondratavičienė). Grigoleit and her family were displaced three times, but each time returned to Bitėnai showcasing the turbulent history of

182-612: Is home to the park's administration (established in 2001) and visitors' center (established in 2012 in a pre-World war II restaurant). In 1972, a memorial column with a bell was built near the destroyed printing press of Jankus. A memorial exposition dedicated to Jankus was unveiled in May 1981. It was housed at the primary school until the printing press was rebuilt in 1998 and the Martynas Jankus Museum officially opened in July 1999. In 2015,

208-801: Is washed with 33 old river lakes, the largest - the Merguva (44.8 ha) and Bitežeris (13.8 ha). State Service for Protected Areas under the Ministry of the Environment, together with a number of Authorities for protected areas in Lithuania will implement the EU Structural Funds for the project “Protected Areas Management" The project objectives are: “Phase I” completion of the following activities: Organisation and adaption of 4 heritage sites for visitors: “Phase II” implementation and outgoing works of

234-721: The Lithuanian book smugglers to Lithuanian lands located in the Russian Empire since the Partitions of the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth . After the Klaipėda Revolt in 1923, Bitėnai became a part of independent Lithuania. In 1926, the village had 72 homesteads and its population reached 391 in 1941. Due to its proximity to the Rambynas hill, Bitėnai developed as a kind of resort and boasted three restaurants. It

260-560: The Nemunas Delta . Tribal life and battles with the crusaders are commemorated by the series of mounds built by Skalvians (Opstainiai, Vilkyškiai, Šereiklaukis) and the ancient villages, temples and Balts shrine - Rambynas . In later centuries this land and its manors speal of the former glory of the Vilkyskiai, Šereiklaukis and Pempynė estates. An urban reserve exists in Vilkyškiai with

286-625: The Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth . From the 18th century, it was part of the Kingdom of Prussia , and from 1871 it was also part of Germany , within which it was administratively located in the province of East Prussia . The village was a frequent resting place for those traveling via the Neman River. It developed in two sections: the southern Šilėnai (along the Žiogis rivulet) and the larger more densely populated northern Užbičiai (along

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312-578: The Bitė rivulet). The village had a wind mill, an inn, a police station, a dairy . Its primary school is known from the 18th century. The village belonged to the manor of Šereitlaukis  [ lt ] . The village gained prominence during the Lithuanian press ban when Martynas Jankus moved his printing press from Tilsit (now Sovetsk ) to Bitėnai in 1892. The printing press operated until 1909 and published six short-lived Lithuanian-language periodicals and 104 books. Many of these publications were brought by

338-497: The Mysteries... The Rambynas Regional Park territory for its natural and cultural heritage has been divided into eight protection and conservation zones (83.6% of the total park area) which are: Other areas include: recreation areas (3.2%), defense areas (7.2%), business areas (6, 0% of the total park area) and a park territory tangled in a relatively dense network of roads with about 5.4 km of roads in an area of 100 acres. Among

364-569: The Rambynas Regional Park 4 Wetland meadows and 8 forest habitats of European importance can also be found. Where Nemunas down the ridge of Vilkyškiai bends, nature and history have created a set of values with the shrine of the Skalvians tribe, Lithuanian national rebirth and a symbol of the book smuggling era - Rambynas hill, overlooking the views of the Ragainė , Tilžė and the beginning of

390-504: The eight park reserves the biggest protected park attractions are - the Nemunas valley landscape, Wetland meadows and their typical flora communities, Rambynas hill and its woods, Bitėnai and Bardėnai villages with preserved natural and cultural attractions, The ridge crest of Vilkyškiai, Regional forests characterized by a variety of woods, The environment of Šereitlaukis estate, The old town of Vilkyškiai and unique white stork colonies nesting in

416-465: The following activities: In collaboration of Rambynas Regional Park direction and “Sandūra” Society in Pagėgiai implemented newspaper and magazine - almanac “Rambynas” publishing project. The newspaper “Rambynas” issued 2 times a year. This 8 -page publication is dedicated to Rambynas Regional Park residents and introduces park visitors to the park values also how Rambynas Regional Park Authority operates in

442-462: The museum reconstructed Jankus' granary over the authentic arched red-brick cellar. The village cemetery located between Bitėnai and the Rambynas hill date as far back as the early 18th century. There are small mounds around the cemetery that resemble tumuli . There were some reports of archaeological finds in the area, but in 1991 it was determined that the mounds are natural sand dunes. The cemetery

468-441: The nature ( pine stands and oak stands) and ethnographic values in the ( Bitėnai and Bardinai villages). Rambynas hill also belongs to the park territory. In nearby Vilkiškiai town, a number of old buildings representing the typical architecture of the area still exist. The Nemunas river curve is surrounded by forests, the overgrown ridge crest of Vilkyškiai, covered with a variety of heights and shapes, continental dunes,

494-527: The pine trees. In the park area, there are eight villages: Bitėnai , Bardinai , Šereitlaukis , Opstainys , Pempynė , Vilkyškiai and part of Lumpėnai , with a population of 1340 inhabitants, 247 hectares of water ponds (5.1% of the park area). 13 kilometers from the Nemunas and Jūra river confluence to the Rambynas park boundary is the largest river in Lithuania, the Nemunas, and the Lithuanian state border with Russia's Kaliningrad enclave. The Nemunas valley

520-630: The region. Her mother was deported to Russia during World War I ; the family evacuated to Germany at the end of World War II but returned when they were overrun by the Red Army ; the family was then deported by the Soviets to the Krasnoyarsk Krai in 1951 but returned in 1956. Gratiola officinalis Gratiola officinalis , the gratiole , common hedgehyssop , grace of God , Gratia Dei , hedge hyssop , hedge-hyssop , or herb of grace ,

546-428: The valley wetland flooded meadows, ancient lakes decorated with inlays that mark the beginning of the Nemunas delta. The landscape was formed by the last ice age, where the ice cap boundary was at the Rambynas. The hyssop (lat. Gratiola officinalis ) hedge is commonly found around the lake Merguva area. The hedge plant is used widely in pharmacy. Natures Monument - " Witches Spruce " - grows in Vilkyškiai forest. This

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572-577: The way of life, traditions and customs also ceased. But some festivals are still celebrated like St. John's festival and Užgavėnės ( Ash Wednesday eve). Bitėnai - literature, printing and book-smuggling spot in Lithuania, so on Rambynas are celebrated “ Book-smugglers ” Day. In the late 19th century on Rambynas first time in Lithuania was staged “ Lithuanian Song Festival ” and performed first Lithuanian play. 55°5′N 22°5′E  /  55.083°N 22.083°E  / 55.083; 22.083 Bit%C4%97nai Bitėnai ( German : Bittehnen )

598-441: Was occupied by Germany in 1939–1945. It was depopulated during the evacuation of East Prussia and the subsequent expulsion of Germans . About 80% of the village's buildings, including the former printing press of Jankus, were destroyed. The population declined from 287 in 1959 to 120 in 1989. In 1986, there were only 26 homesteads in the village. Bitėnai is part of the Rambynas Regional Park , established in 1992. The village

624-519: Was a village of peasants and fishermen. In 1454, King Casimir IV Jagiellon incorporated the region to the Kingdom of Poland upon the request of the anti-Teutonic Prussian Confederation . After the subsequent Thirteen Years' War (1454–1466) the village was a part of Poland as a fief held by the Teutonic Knights, and thus was located within the Polish–Lithuanian union , later elevated to

650-598: Was neglected and vandalized during the Soviet era – extensive damage was done during searches for the legendary treasure of Napoleon Bonaparte that was allegedly buried during the French invasion of Russia somewhere near the Rambynas hill. After Lithuania regained independence in 1990, the cemetery was reconstructed and chosen as the re-interment place for the remains of philosopher Vydūnas . His remains were moved from West Germany and reburied on 19 October 1991. Martynas Jankus

676-418: Was reburied on 30 May 1993. Other notable reburials include composer Valteris Kristupas Banaitis  [ lt ] (1999), political activist Jonas Vanagaitis  [ lt ] (2009), doctor and activist Valteris Didžys  [ lt ] (2013). Memorial monuments commemorate other personalities of Lithuania Minor – Kristijonas Donelaitis Martynas Mažvydas , Ludwig Rhesa . The cemetery

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