Žemaičių Kalvarija

Infobox Settlement
subdivision_type = Country
subdivision_name = LTU
timezone=EET
utc_offset=+2
timezone_DST=EEST
utc_offset_DST=+3
map_caption = Location of Žemaičių Kalvarija
leader_title =
postal_code_type =
official_name = Žemaičių Kalvarija
nickname =


pushpin_

image_shield = Zemaiciu Kalvarija COA.gif
|subdivision_type1=Ethnographic region
subdivision_name1 = Autolink|Samogitia
|subdivision_type2=County
subdivision_name2 = Autolink|Telšiai County
|subdivision_type3=Municipality
subdivision_name3 = Autolink|Plungė district municipality
|subdivision_type4=Elderate
subdivision_name4 = Žemaičių Kalvarija elderate
coordinates =
|subdivision_type6=Capital of
subdivision_name6 =
established_date = 1253
subdivision_name5 =
population_total = 798
population_as_of = 2001

Žemaičių Kalvarija - is small town in Plungė district municipality, Lithuania. it is known as a major site for Catholic pilgrimage.

Every July there is a huge Church festival called, Big Žemaičių Kalvarija Church Festival . It attracts many tourists from all over Lithuania and abroad. It is one of the few "must visit" locations for most Roman Catholics of Lithuania. In the main church of the town, a sculpture of crucified Jesus and picture of St. Maria, which was brought to this town in middle of 17th century from Rome is stored. The picture is considered to be Saintly.

History of the name

This place was mentioned in 1253 as "Garde" (Gardaí). In 17th century, when the main Church and road of cross was built, people started calling it New Jerusalem, but in some time it was named Kalvarija. By the name of the hill, where Jesus was crucified. In 20th century, the town was renamed to Žemaičių Kalvarija. It was done to avoid misunderstandings, because there is another town in south-west of Lithuania, called Kalvarija.

During the years of the Soviet occupation, 1964-1989the town was renamed to Varduva. At that time, people, who visited this place as pilgrims, were persecuted by KGB. Only in 1989 town’s name was restored back to its historic name Žemaičių Kalvarija.

The Great Žemaičių Kalvarija Church Festival

Big Žemaičių Kalvarija Church Festival ( _lt. Didieji Žemaičių Kalvarijos atlaidai) takes place every June. There are 21 Stations of the Cross in this town. Undertaking the station of the cross is a very important procession for a catholic, it should be done often. This festival dates back to 1742.The Pope is the main guardian and supporter of this festival.

During the festival there are days dedicated to youth. Many events take place, which may serve spiritual needs of young people. There are special Masses held, dedicated to youth and children.

The festival attracts many tourists from Samogitia and Lithuania,many Catholic Churches in Lithuania organize trips for people. Since 2004 there were more tourists and pilgrims coming from the EU States, especially from Poland, Ireland, Germany and Spain.

Transport

There are regular bus services to the town from Klaipėda and Plungė.The Closest airports are Palanga International Airport (Lithuania) and Liepāja International Airport (Latvia).

External links

* [http://www.lietuvos.net/galerija/collections/0121_zemaiciu_kalvarija/index.htm Žemaičių Kalvarija pictures]
* [http://vienuolynai.mch.mii.lt/V8-46/Zkalvarija.htm Former Dominican abbey]
* [http://www.mockus.us/optimum/deksnys/zemaiciu_kalvarija.html Maps]
* [http://www.lcn.lt/paveldas2000_relig/all/b_1_2.htm Žemaičių Kalvarija as Sacret place]
* [http://samogitia.mch.mii.lt/LANKYTINOS_VIETOS/gyvenvPL.lt.htm Town's history (in Lithuanian)] .