HGB Ep. 647 - Haunted Lithuania

This Month in History - Boris Yeltsin Elected

In the month of July, on the 10th, in 1991, Boris Yeltsin became the first popularly elected president in Russian history. Prior to Boris Yeltsin, the country's leaders were not chosen by regular citizens. Instead, they were appointed by the Communist Party. Before the Communist Party, hereditary Tsar Rule had governed the country for centuries. In 1990, the system began to change. Russia held its first competitive, multiparty election for a new legislature. When Yeltsin ran as an independent, he had been up against five other opponents. His main rival was the official Communist Party candidate, Nikolai Ryzhkov (RIZZ-kawf). Other challengers included Vladimir Zhirinovsky and three independent candidates. Yeltsin won in the first round. During the 1991 Presidential speech, Yeltsin broke from Soviet tradition. He did not address the crowd as 'comrades' and began his speech by declaring that the presidency was not a god-like role, but a responsibility to the people. He was also blessed by the head of the Russian Orthodox Church, marking a symbolic return to pre-Soviet cultural roots. In 1996, Boris Yeltsin ran for reelection. On the initial ballot, Yeltsin faced 10 choices, but because none of those candidates won a majority in the first round, the race went to a run-off between Yeltsin and the top rival, Gennady Zyuganov (Guh-NAH-dee ZSHOO-gah-nauv) with Yeltsin winning the final vote by 53.8%. Boris Yeltsin's time as President lasted eight years, with his unexpected resignation on New Years Eve in 1999, paving the way for Vladimir Putin to take over the presidency. 

Haunted Lithuania 

Human settlement goes back thousands of years in the region of the Baltics that would become Lithuania. Like so many Baltic states, it went from being a significant regional power to one that was subjugated by the Soviet Union for decades. This is a proud land that has its own legends and haunted locations. Join us for the history and hauntings of Lithuania. 

Lithuania is in Northern Europe on the eastern coast of the Baltic Sea. It shares borders with Latvia, Belarus, Poland and Kaliningrad.The first written record of Lithuania dates back to 1009 AD. Settlements here obviously go back some 10,000 years, but the Baltic people known as Lithuanians show up about that time. They would conquer neighboring lands and establish a Kingdom of Lithuania and a Grand Duchy of Lithuania. They were a formidable power and eventually became the largest state in Europe in the 15th century. Their lands ran from the Baltic Sea to the Black Sea. A dynastic union would be formed with Poland and this Polish-Lithuanian state lasted through to 1795. The dissolution of this was because the Russian Empire had conquered this area and Lithuania would remain under Russian rule until the 20th century. Lithuania became its own democratic state in 1918, but was occupied by the Soviet Union during World War II, then the Nazis for a bit and again by the Soviets. Lithuania remained under Soviet control for almost 50 years after that, but regained its sovereignty in 1991. Lithuania joined NATO and the European Union in 2004. Many of its beautiful historic buildings are rumored to be haunted and there is a legend or two embraced by this land. 

The Black Ghost

Klaipeda (kluh pay duh) is a quaint seaside town in Lithuania that was founded by the Teutonic Kings in the 7th century and is the country's third largest city. Much of the architecture dates back to the 13th century, so it makes for a great walking tour. 

As one walks along the waterfront in the city's Old Town near Memel Castle, they are sure to be startled by a bronze sculpture that appears to be emerging from the water and leaning over the dock. The creepy figure holds a lantern in one hand and his other hand grips the dock. This thing is cloaked with no face and seems to be slithering. The sculpture is nearly 8 feet tall and was sculpted by Svajunas Jurkus (SVAH-yoo-nahs YOOR-kooss) and Sergejus Plotnikovas (SUR-gay-us PLOT-nee-kov-ahss). The story behind the Black Ghost is that the village of Klaipeda (kluh pay duh) was facing an impending famine that would be so devastating, the entire village would surelu be wiped out. In walks this mysterious hooded figure who made an appearance to a castle guard that was walking the docks in 1595. This figure asked the guard about the town's grain and timber supply. The ghostly presence said that they needed to make sure it was adequate. The guard responded that they had a good supply. The figure wanred that their stocks would run low soon and that they needed to prepare. the town was saved and they give credit to the Black Ghost for helping them.  

Hill of Witches

The Hill of Witches isn't really a haunted location, but it is an interesting area for people of our ilk. This is a forested sculpture park in the village of Juodkrantė (ywood-KRAHN-teh) located on a forested sand dune that was begun in 1979. Over the years it has grown to 80 wooden sculptures that line a series of trails. There is a tradition of woodcarving in the region and artists drew inspiration from this, carving figures from Lithuanian folklore and pagan traditions.

Hill of Crosses

The Hill of Crosses is steeped in legends of ghosts, miracles and heroic acts of defiance and is located about 7 miles outside of the town of Siauliai (show lay) in northern Lithuania. This old earthen mound has become a site of pilgrimage for local people because of the thousands of crosses that have been placed upon it. These crosses and crucifixes are laden with rosaries and other holy relics and are constructed from wood and metal. The tinking of these items gives the hill an eerie sound. The Soviet Union wanted to crush any religious overtones in the countries it conquered and so they made an attempt to level the hill with bulldozers and they burned the wooden crosses and removed the metals one. They threatened anyone who put crosses on the hill with fines and jail time. But this didn't dissuade the locals who would put crosses on the hill in the dead of night. The Soviets gave up after a while. A local historian named Vilius Puronas (VEE-lyus poo-RAWN-as) said of the hill, "The Hill of Crosses doesn’t really belong to anyone, and thus belongs to all. Neither church nor government has any claim to it, and people bring crosses here not because they are told to, but because they feel inspired to. For some people, the Hill of Crosses is a place of contemplation and prayer. For others, it symbolises defiance and resistance in the darker times. And for others still, it’s an extraordinary occurrence in the humdrum of the ordinary life. None of them are wrong." He added, "The hill has many secrets. According to folklore, there was once a church where the hill now stands. During a terrible storm, lightning struck the church and the tempest buried it under sand and rock with everyone still inside. Locals say that you can glimpse a ghost procession of monks at the foot of the hill at sunrise. Throughout the ages, magical appearances, visions of saints and sightings of ghosts have been a part of the hill’s history."

That is a more pleasant legend than another told about the hill. This one claims that there had been a wooden castle here in the early 1300s that was held by a pagan group. This castle was destroyed by the Order of the Brothers of the Sword who were German warrior-monks that were bringing Chrisitianity by the sword. Members of the group who survived the onslaught, piled their dead comrades on top of each other and buried them like that, so that it made a mound. It is said the souls of the fallen pagan warriors haunt the hill at night.

And there is a third legend. There was a young girl who was gravely ill and her father kept watch at her bedside. He had a vision of a woman and this woman instructed him to fashion a cross from wood and to place it on a nearby hill. Now this sounds almost like he is being told to prepare a grave,  but the woman said the daughter would recover if he did that. The next morning, he made the cross and placed it on the hill and when he got home, his daughter greeted him at the door and she was all well. When the town heard about this, they all started leaving crosses on the hill in order to get their prayers answered. 

Villa Anapilis (ah-NAH-pih-lis )

Villa Anapilis (ah-NAH-pih-lis) is a famous historic resort villa that was built in 1898 for the Countess Sofija Tiškevičienė (tish-keh-vee-CHYAH-neh), who was the mother of the last Count of Palanga. The villa was originally named for her. 

After World War I, the Lithuanian Agricultural Bank bought the property and the President of Lithuania used it as a vacation spot, as did other dignitaries. The building was nationalized after World War II and used as residences before becoming the Jūratės (YOO-rah-teh) sanatorium club, which was a recreational club. After the Soviet occupation, the building was transferred to the Palanga Cultural Center and became a famous Anapilis Music Club. There are some interesting legends connected to this villa. First, the name Anapilis itself means "the other world" or "the afterlife." The reason that nickname probably came around was because the Countess who was the original owner, enjoyed a seance or two. She had her own summoning room, which had mirrors all around it, up in the attic. The mirrors were strategic because she wanted to trap the spirits she summoned, so they couldn't return to wherever they stay on the other side of the veil. Towards the end of her life, she was quite ill and had wind chimes installed inside the villa because they made her feel better. People claim to hear these ghostly wind chimes when passing by the outside. The spirit of Sofia is said to haunt the premises too. People have claimed to see her full-bodied apparition. The mournful sounds of trapped spirits are also heard. 

Norviliškės (nor-VEEL-ish-kays) Castle

Norviliškės (nor-VEEL-ish-kays) Castle is located in the southeasternmost part of Lithuania on the external border of the European Union. The castle was built in the 16th century for a rich merchant from Marienburg, and his wife who was a Countess. 

When he died, she invited the Franciscan ‘little brothers’ from Vilnius to come and spread Christianity in the region. She signed over the castle, outbuildings and land to them by a founding act signed in 1617. Now the castle was a friary and the monks set out to build a church on the estate. The Franciscans would stay until 1832, when Poland and Lithuania broke away from the Russian Empire. The Russian government took over the property and they shut down the friary. The church was dismantled and the manor house became a barracks. Soldiers would stay here until the early 20th century. The military moved out in 1904 and the castle became a girls’ school that operated until the First World War. The castle was abandoned at that time and deteriorated until it was rescued from demolition and renovated into a hotel and restaurant. Many of the offerings are from medieval recipes and there are tours offered that are hosted by a monk who shares about the history of the castle and Medieval eating habits. The legend here is that a monk fell in love with a local woman and he decided to annul his vows at the Vatican. He brought his love to the castle for safety, especially since she was pregnant. She gave birth to a girl while the monk was gone and she named the child Emilia. Some time had passed and Emilia grew to be at least a toddler. The monk returned after the Uprising and he found that his love and daughter had both died during that and he was devastated. The apparition of Emilia has been seen riding on a wooden horse in a room of the castle. The mother is also said to haunt the castle.

Siesikai Castle

Siesikai (Sye-sye-kye) Castle was built in the early 16th century on the southern shore of the lake of the same name. This is one of the few Renaissance-styled castles that remain in Lithuania. The castle was heavily fortified with a deep water filled moat on three sides and openings for shooting. Over the years, the castle has been added to and renovated, so that elements of Baroque and Classicism have been added. 

The 17th century brought wall paintings inspired by ancient mythology that were done by Italian engraver Antonio Tempesta. The castle seems to have pagan origins as well because the windows and doors are oriented in such a way that during the solstice and equinoxes the Sun creates a unique spectacle within the castle. Some believe that the Italian cultural movement of Renaissance Neoplatonism inspired the construction in this way. The castle passed through the Radziwiłłs (rah-JEE-veev) and Daugėla (DOW geh lah) families through the 18th and 19th centuries until the Soviet occupation. In 1940, the manor was nationalized and then abandoned in 1980. In 1992, officials saw that they needed to save the castle for its archaeological, historical and architectural significance. Restoration efforts have been ongoing and it runs as a museum. Locals tell a story about a young wife of one of the Daumantai dukes who fell deeply in love with a knight from a foreign country. She would sneak away at night to meet her love by Lake Siesikai (Sye-sye-kye). The duke discovered the infidelity and he had his wife bricked away in the tower walls. Now people who pass by the castle say that they see the ghost of the duchess walking by the lake at night and waiting for her beloved knight.

Rokiškis (RAW-kish-kiss) Manor

Rokiškis (RAW-kish-kiss) Manor seems to date back to 1499 as that is the first time it was mentioned. It was the property of Grand Duke Alexander Jagiellon (Yah-gell-awn) of Lithuania and was built from wood and stood on a hill. This was along an important trade route and was needed to help keep order. 

A few years later, it was in the estate of the Grand Duchess of Lithuania and Queen of Poland Helena of Moscow. Then three other noble families ruled from it before its destruction. In 1801, a new manor house was built in the style of classicism. This manor house was remodeled several times through the years moving it from one-story to two-storys. The architecture today is a mix of Baroque Revival, neo-Renaissance and Art Nouveau. One of the owners had been a military officer and a renowned ornithologist who turned the manor into a hub of science and his ornithological collections amounted to some three thousand specimens. The Soviets nationalized the manor and its valuables in 1940 and the Red Army looted it. Shortly before this, the manor had been turned into a museum and when the curator tried to save the works of art, he and his family were arrested and deported to Siberia. When Lithuania became independent again, the manor was restored and was reopened as an art mjuseum featuring woodcarving works, paintings and a collection of musical instruments.

There is one spirit here and it is said to be the mischievous ghost of 16-year-old Jasius Pšešdzieckis (YAH-syus psheh-ZHETS-kees) who was the son of a well-known Rokiškis (RAW-kish-kiss) Count. One of the things he likes to do is tilt the paintings to the right or left and the staff have to straighten all of them in the morning. One or two might be normal, but all the pictures moved? 

Paežeriai (pah-EH-zheh-rye) Manor

Paežeriai (pah-EH-zheh-rye) Manor is a great example of Classicist architecture and was built from 1795 to 1799. In 1877, a water mill, a brickyard, and an agricultural machinery repair workshop were operating on the estate. A distillery brought the main income for the property. In the first half of the 19th century, a Romanesque style manor was added as an administrative building and also a Gothic Revival Belvederis Tower. By 1914, the manor was a private home and the widow who lived there opened a primary school in the administrative manor. She sold the property in 1939 and moved to Warsaw where it is believed she unfortunately ended up in a concentration camp. An agricultural school had moved into the manor, but it closed in 1942 under occupation of Nazis. They looted the property when the Red Army was advancing towards it and was then occupied by Russian personnel. A construction company used it from 1952 to 1994. In 1995, it was entrusted to the Lithuanian National Museum of Art and later opened as a cultural museum. People refer to the site as the Pearl of the Sudovia region. 

There is a legend about an innocent white maiden who worked at the manor and became pregnant by the wealthy landlord. To avoid conflict with his wife, the landlord sent the young woman away to another manor. The young maiden returned after she gave birth and she placed the baby at the door and then walked over to a nearby lake and drowned herself. The ghost of this woman wanders around the manor at night and is seen as a white shadow in the mornings in the park around the manor. 

Kretinga (KREH-ting-ah) Manor

The manor dates back to 1566 and initially belonged to a couple of the Grand Dukes of Lithuania before a noble family owned it in 1572. This family built a church and school in the village, as well as a monastery. Several other families owned it and then in 1806, the Counts Zubov became the proprietors of the manor and they created an English-style manor park and built a brick palace. In 1875, a new Count decided to change the style to French and built Europe’s largest private winter garden at that time. The German army occupied the manor during World War I and part of the manor was damaged in the war. After the wars, an agricultural school was established at the manor. Much of the property has survived and this includes 24 buildings and beautifully groomed park. The manor house hosts a museum.

The ghost of Bishop Ignotas Masalskis is said to haunt this manor. He had not only been the Bishop of Vilnius, but also the Clerk of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania and the Chairman of the Educational Commission. His restless soul seems to have refused to leave the property. It is seen walking the halls of the manor. 

Kaunas (kah nuhz) Dungeons

There are dungeons in Kaunas, or so they say. Stories claim that under the pavement of Kaunas lies an underground labyrinth of tunnels connecting several buildings. One of the Grand Dukes of Lithuania escaped from the Crusaders by hiding down there. The sounds of chaiuns are heard coming from below and people say ghosts roam the tunnels.

Trakai (TRAH-ky) Island Castle

Trakai (TRAH-ky) Island Castle is a major tourist attraction and was built in several phases, starting in the 14th century. This was built for Grand Duke Kęstutis (keh-STOO-tis). While this was meant to strengthen his position, it did little to repel an attack by the Teutonic knights in 1377 and they assassinated the Duke. A truce was established with the Teutonic Order and the second phase of the castle was commenced and the Order's stonemason supervised. Most of the construction was done with red Gothic bricks and stone blocks with glazed roof tiling and stained glass windows. This made the castle mainly Gothic in style with some Romanesque features. A third phase added a moat. Frescos were painted on its walls and some have made it to the present. In 1905, the Imperial Russian authorities decided to partially restore the castle that was then in partial ruins. After the World Wars, another reconstruction effort was begun and this was finished in 1961. 

Reports say the ghost of Grand Duke Witold walks the towers, bringing good fortune to those who see him. He's easy to see as he glows at night. Makes sense because the Duke is considered a superstar of medieval history because before he died in 1430 he brought Lithuania to its greatest military power.

Radviloniai (rahd-vee-loh-NYAY) Manor

The manor dates to 1800 and after Lithuania gained its independence, the manor house buildings and their groups were sold out to shareholders. These buildings include a two-storey brick manor with an attic (19th century), a brick servants’ residential building, a cow-house, a stable, an icehouse, a barn, the ruins of a chapel and a park. There have been many strange and unexplained things that have happened here. One of the landladies was Irena Rainčė (RINE-chay) and she said, " I wonder if these premises were ever consecrated, as many spirits are living here up to this day. Although we get along quite well, I do notice that when I lay down at night, they would sometimes come asking for something. For example, to grow a plant in the garden upside down. It took me a while to understand that the spirit meant that the plant would need to lean toward the ground rather than grow upward. And once their wishes are fulfilled, they no longer come back. I can only say I never get to feel alone."

Pakruojis (pah-KROO-yis) Manor

The first building here was wood, but was replaced with the brick manor house in 1817. Additions were made up until 1840, which included an English-style park. A man named Theodore von Ropp had owned the manor and he liked to travel around Europe collecting gtreasures and fine art and he brought back many pieces, leaving the manor full of art treasures. A commercial farm developed on the land to generate income and it did really well. In 1866, a manor pharmacy was established as well as a twelve-bed hospital. By 1909, a brewery and steam mill had been added. Land reforms in 1922 diminished the Ropp farm and in 1940, it was all nationalized and sent to other museums. As with the other sites, this had German occupation and then Soviet with the Soviets at least renovating the property and they opened their own farm. Today, this is a hotel, restaurant and a tourist attraction with the main manor being a two-story palace with a portico and Doric-style columns, pilasters, capitals, arches, and vases in the corners of the balconies. There are several buildings on the property with seven of them being restaurants, there are two hotels and a campground, a manor farm and several buildings for manufacturing like beekeeping, wool felting, dressmaking, photography and perfume. The park is adorned with 24 species of trees, including grey willows and balsam willows, larches, small-leaved lindens, limes and maples. 

The restless spirit of Baron Herman the Cruel is here. This was a rich man known for his wealth and cruel deeds who liked to torture the serfs. He had a dungeon built in the manor for this and the museum even features a torture chamber because of these stories. For centuries, disembodied footsteps have been heard in the palace, lamps go out or turn on by themselves and doors and windows open on their own. The museum also has a collection of oddities and items telling the dark side of the life of the rich.

Salos (SAH loss) Manor

The King of Poland and the Grand Duke of Lithuania owned the land beneath the manor in medieval times. Several noble families owned the land until a patriot named Liucijon Moriconi (LOO-see-yon MOR-ee-CON-ee) inherited the land. He was one of the richest men in the Kaunas province, but he sucked as a landlord. He lost his property quickly and he took part in the 1863 Uprising. That got him arrested. He was jailed in Vilnius and his second wife, Elizabeth Munday, pleaded for his release, so he was sent to Kaunas where he spent a year in jail. Whatever funds he had left before this, were gone when he got out. Moriconi was forced to sell Salos. He moved to Warsaw and worked as a teacher until he died. This property had been in his family for generations, so it was a big loss. Now the Tyzenhauz (TIE-zen-howz) family had it. The last owner was a diplomat and writer, but a point was made about him that was a serious drawback apparently. He couldn't dance. When asked why this was the case he would answer that he was brought up in the Vatican. He left the property during World War II and died in Sweden in 1966. The Soviets set up agricultural engineering at the manor. In 1977, art historians began renovations. After Lithuanian independence, the manor house functioned as a school, which closed in 2003. This property now hosts cultural events and can be rented for private parties. 

Now the landlord who lost the property, Moriconi, is said to have been cursed and after he died, his spirit returned to the manor and is most often seen on moonlit nights with his spirit shimmering. His ghost also wanders the rooms of the manor.

Lithuania is a country that has seen turmoil, war and occupation. But it is also a beautiful land with grand manors, palaces, castles and it would seem, a ghost or two. Like so many of these countries, there are many legends and it is hard to verify if any of them are real. Are these locations haunted? That is for you to decide!