Kernavė was a medieval capital[1] of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania and today is a tourist attraction and an archeological site (population 238, 2021).

Its alternative names include Kernavos, Kernovo, Kiernowo, Kiernów (Polish), and Kernuvke (Yiddish).

[6] The town was first mentioned in 1279 in written sources, when, as the seat of the Grand Duke Traidenis, it was besieged by the Teutonic Knights.

This military operation is mentioned in the Livonian Rhymed Chronicle (with the same passage repeated by Hermann von Wartberge in Cronicon Livoniale).

In 1390, during the Lithuanian Civil War (1389–1392), the knights burned the town and its buildings in the Pajauta valley, including the castle.

After this raid, the town wasn't rebuilt, and the remaining residents moved to the top of the hill instead of staying in the valley.

[7] In later years, the remains of the city were covered with an alluvial layer, that formed wet peat.

It preserved most of the relics intact, and it is a treasure trove for archaeologists, leading some to call Kernavė the "Troy of Lithuania".

The site became the subject of wider interest again in the middle of 19th century, when a romantic writer, Feliks Bernatowicz, depicted the area in his novel "Pojata, córka Lizdejki" ("Pajauta, Daughter of Lizdeika", Warsaw, 1826).

After World War II, the excavation works were restarted by Vilnius University in 1979, and then again by the Lithuanian Institute of History between 1980 and 1983.

It is believed that it was built at the end of the 13th century on the Kernavelė estate, and moved to the Kernavė church.

Memorial plaques with the coat of arms and names of the members of the Riomeriai family are attached to the walls.

During the 1980s, on the initiative of Monsignor Česlovas Krivaitis, the churchyard was repaired, new gates were built and the altar and interior were restored.

It was painted in 1816 and depicts the Mother and Child, God the Father, and the Holy Spirit (a dove).

The State Kernavė Archaeological Historical Museum and the district office have moved into the cultural center (architect A. Alekna).

He devoted his life to educational and cultural work at this school until his deportation on 14 June 1941 by the Soviets.

In 1998, by decision of the Board of the Širvintos District, the Kernavė primary school was given the name of Juozas Šiaučiūnas.

Archaeological expeditions have been held for more than 20 years, in which Lithuanian and foreign archaeologists, students, and school children take part.

For several decades it was not only a way to clean the soul, but also to protest against the humiliation of national consciousness and the forced implantation of Soviet traditions.

On that day a festival is held, where medieval authentic crafts, war games and folk music are presented.