Žemaičių Kalvarija

The Dominicans laid out a Way of the Cross here in the seventeenth century, nineteen chapels holding twenty stations, set across the hills around the town so that the walk between them covers several kilometres, following the traditional stations and measured, according to the founding intention, on the distances of the original route in Jerusalem. The basilica holds a painting of the Virgin with the Child credited with miracles. The July festival, the Great Kalvarija, runs for about ten days and draws tens of thousands who walk the chapels singing the Kalvarijos kalnai, hymns particular to this devotion. Outside July the town is small and quiet, and the chapels stand in fields and woods for anyone who wants to walk the circuit alone.

History

The place is mentioned in 1253 as Garde. In the 17th century, when the main church and the Way of the Cross were built, people called it the New Jerusalem, later Kalvarija after the hill of the crucifixion, and in the 20th century it became Žemaičių Kalvarija to avoid confusion (Wikipedia, Žemaičių Kalvarija).

What you'll find

• The nineteen chapels - twenty stations set across the hills around the town.
• The basilica - the church holding the venerated painting.
• The July festival - eight days of processions and hymn singing.
• The walking circuit - several kilometres between the stations.

When to go

July for the festival, which is the town's great occasion and when the devotion is visible. May to September otherwise for walking the circuit, which takes two to three hours at an ordinary pace.

Before you go

Outside the festival the town is very quiet with little open. During it accommodation is unavailable locally and the crowds are large. Chapels are often locked between festivals. This is a devotional route rather than a sightseeing walk.

Nearby

Plungė lies south; Plateliai and the Samogitian park are west.