Zemaitija National Park, together with partners from Latvia, is implementing a joint project titled “Strengthening Geological Heritage Conservation in Latvia and Lithuania” (No. LL-00244).
One of the project’s goals is to inventory and categorize terrestrial geological objects and gather them into a single database. This will ensure more effective protection, maintenance, and monitoring of these sites.
Following the completion of the geological object inventory in the Skuodas and Plungė districts, project specialists described and updated object data in the Mažeikiai district during August.
One of the visited sites is the Rimoliai hillfort with its outer bailey and settlement, which is a state-protected archaeological and cultural monument. The hillfort is located on the right bank of the Varduva River. The outer bailey offers an impressive view of the Varduva Valley landscape, but the site is starting to become overgrown with brushwood, making slope maintenance necessary.
The Renavas hillfort is also a state-protected archaeological and cultural monument. In the past, the slopes of the hillfort were damaged by erosion, as it stands in a loop on the left bank of the Varduva River (it is now surrounded by a pond). The hillfort’s plateau is bumpy, and the site is overgrown with deciduous trees.
Another visited site is the Jautakiai hillfort, also a state-protected archaeological and cultural monument. It is situated on the left bank of the Venta River. The slopes of the hillfort are overgrown with trees and bushes. However, the territory of the former Jautakiai hillfort settlement is mown and well-maintained.
The Daubariai hillforts and settlements are state-protected archaeological and historical monuments. The entire territory of this archaeological complex is adapted for visitors, featuring installed paths, stairs, a small bridge, and information stands. Located right next to each other, the hillforts stand out due to their distinct shapes. Both hillforts have steep slopes. While the western and northern slopes of the first Daubariai hillfort are overgrown with trees, blocking the view of the river, the opposite is true for Daubariai Hillfort II, where all slopes remain open.
The Geidžiai stone is a geological natural monument. This mythological stone has an interesting, irregular shape with various cracks and fissures. In terms of size, this boulder is the largest in the Mažeikiai district.
These and other objects, along with detailed data and descriptions, will be uploaded into a GIS database. Based on this data, an interactive map will be created to help tourists, travelers, and local communities discover these unique objects of the Mažeikiai region more quickly and conveniently.
