Šatrija Hill

Šatrija is a steep conical hill of around 228 metres carrying a hillfort with a flat top and clear earthworks, one of the best known in Samogitia both archaeologically and in folklore: the hill has long been said in stories to be where witches gathered on Midsummer night, and the association has stuck firmly enough that the name is used for it in literature and in the pen name of the writer Šatrijos Ragana. Excavation has found evidence of a fortified settlement of the first millennium. The summit is open and gives a view over the Samogitian uplands in every direction, with Telšiai visible on a clear day. A path and steps climb from the road.

What you actually see

• The conical mound - a steep hillfort with a flat fortified top.
• The all-round view - Samogitian uplands in every direction.
• Earthworks - the ramparts and terraces of the old settlement.
• The folklore - the witch associations attached to the hill.

When to go

May to October for the climb; Midsummer brings gatherings and events tied to the folklore. Autumn and winter give the clearest views. The site is open at all times.

Honest expectations

The climb is short but steep. There is nothing standing on the summit and interpretation is minimal. Facilities are none. The road to the base is small and parking limited.

Nearby

Telšiai lies northwest; Medvėgalis is south.