1. Hill of Witches
On a small rise just outside Juodkrante, covered in fir pines and offering pretty views over the Curonian lagoon, is the fantastical and fun ‘Hill of Witches’. A collection of more than 70 wooden carvings and statues sit mischievously, depicting ghoulish witches, devils and other characters from Lithuanian lore and fairy tales. Some of the larger constructions can move and be clambered about on for entertaining photo opportunities. Each year master carvers from around the country converge on the hill to restore the statues, build new ones and possibly – though probably not – drink goat’s blood.
2. Hill of Crosses
A couple of hours drive from Vilnius is the Hill of Crosses, an arresting and poignant testament to Lithuania’s various struggles against foreign powers. Although it’s believed that the first cross was brought to the hill sometime in the mid-19th century, the practice of ascending the hill and leaving behind crosses, crucifixes and Catholic effigies gained considerable momentum during the 1970s and 80s as an act of peaceful defiance against the Soviet occupancy. On three occasions the Soviets razed the hill and destroyed the crosses, only to find them quickly replaced. Also a popular site of pilgrimage, the hill attracts thousands of Catholic faithfuls each year and there are now an estimated 100,000 crosses at the location.
3. Devil's Museum
Adroitly playing on humanity’s fascination with evil incarnate, The Devil’s Museum in Kaunas holds what is believed to be the world’s largest collection of all things diabolical. The exhibition opened in 1966 and is really more amusing than it is creepy. With the museum’s long-time tradition of accepting and displaying artworks gifted by visitors from across the globe, you’re just as likely to come across his royal Prince of Darkness depicted in an intricate wood carving as a nut-cracker, or in disguise as various political dictators. And for those looking to further descend into the underworld, a bar in the basement provides devilishly enticing vodka libations.
4. The Frank Zappa Statue
When Lithuania achieved its independence from the Soviet Union, the population rapidly set to tearing down all relics and reminders of their period under communist rule – thus leaving an abundance of headless pillars where Lenin and Stalin’s busts had once perched. Whatever was to be done with these? The situation looked hopeless. That is until civil servant and avid Zappa fan Saulius Paukstys came forward with the suggestion of a homage to his musical idol. Given that Zappa had no Lithuanian ancestry, or had even visited the country, local authorities weren’t sold on the idea – not initially, anyway. But when it was argued that Zappa did, after all, have Jewish features and because Jewish history was important to Lithuania… well, the rest is history. Funnily enough, it’s the only Frank Zappa effigy in the world.
5. The Uzupis Constitution
On 1 April 1997, the self-declared Republic of Užupis became Europe’s latest, and most bizarre, breakaway province. The announcement, which took the rest of Lithuania completely by surprise, was thought to be a rather amusing April Fool’s Day joke; however, with the launch of an official constitution, it quickly became apparent that the Republic was here to stay. Visitors can now have their passports stamped and pore over its 41-article constitution, which includes such oddities as ‘Everyone has the right to encroach upon eternity’, and ‘A dog has the right to be a dog’.
