The front of the church of Zemaiciu Kalvarija

Žemaičių Kalvarija (English: Samogitian Calvary) is a small town in Plungė district municipality, Samogitia, Lithuania. It is known as a major site for Catholic pilgrimage.

Understand

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

During the Soviet years 1964–1989, the town was renamed to Varduva. At that time, people visiting this place as pilgrims were persecuted by the KGB. Only in 1989 the town's name was restored back to its historic name Žemaičių Kalvarija.

Get in

• By bus from Klaipeda, Kaunas, Riga, Vilnius
• By car from Plunge

Get around

This is a very small town, hence there's no public transport. You can walk, ride a bike or drive.

See

• Švento Jono kalnas, Gardų piliakalnis. Holy John Hill, also known as the hill of folds. 
• Basilica of Samogitian Calvary Holy Mary's visit (Lithuanian: Žemaičių Kalvarijos Švč. Mergelės Marijos Apsilankymo mažoji bazilika). 

Do

There are many things to do in Žemaičių Kalvarija. People are attracted to this place, because of the amazing nature and spirituality of this place. Most important event of the year is The Great Žemaičių Kalvarija Church Festival. During this festival many tourists and pilgrims come to the town from all over Samogitia, Lithuania and abroad (mostly from Latvia, Germany, Spain, Poland, the UK, Ireland and Nordic countries).

• The Great Žemaičių Kalvarija Church Festival (Didieji Žemaičių Kalvarijos atlaidai). Held every year on the first two weeks of July. The main day of the festival is the first Sunday of July 

Buy

There are few small shops in the town, such as Danuva. During the Great Žemaičių Kalvarija Church Festival there are many people selling hand made crafts.

Eat

Snack

During the Great Žemaičių Kalvarija Church Festival you can try many delicious Samogitian snacks, such as pastries, ice cream, sweets and other delicious food items sold by street vendors.

Sleep

• Linelis. A hotel located 11 km away from Žemaičių Kalvarija in Paplatelė. 

Stay safe

Žemaičių Kalvarija is a safe place but like anywhere you have to use common sense. It is a small town and not overcrowded, so people live a slow and easy life here.

Connect

As of Jan 2024, Žemaičių Kalvarija and its approach roads have 4G from Telia and Tele2, but no signal from Bite. 5G has not reached town.

Go next

• The lovely seaside resort Palanga is on the way back to past glory. It is busy with tourists from June to September.
• The Latvian city Liepaja is just 80 km north from Žemaičių Kalvarija and is famous with beach, too, as well as with its Karosta neighbourhood, which is a former Soviet secret military town with lots of things to see, such as a prison for tourists and a very scenic seaside fortress ruins and a cathedral.