Visitors of Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia have access to military heritage locations such as museums, fortifications, military equipment, trails, bunkers, battle sites, military towns, infrastructural objects, as well as memorial sites which speak to the era from the beginning of World War I in 1914 and the establishment of all three countries' independence in 1918, till the period of restoration of independence in 1990/1991.
Military heritage locations have descriptions, related memory stories, historical and present-day photographs, tourism services and recommendations on travel routes. There is also information about a great many lesser known and less often visited sites that nevertheless are important historical locations of military heritage in Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia.

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Military Heritage Tourism
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Remembering the Heroes of the Battle of Seda 🇱🇹 📍This year, on October 7th, the 80th anniversary of the Battle of Seda was commemorated. On October 6–7, 1944, soldiers of Homeland Defense Force attempted to halt the westward advance of the Soviet Union’s army. The Battle took place in the town of Seda, located in the Mažeikiai district. 📍In this uneven fight against the USSR's tanks and heavy artillery, inexperienced units of young men, aged 18–20, who had been assembled that same summer, stood their ground. Around 100 volunteers of Homeland Defense Force lost their lives in the battle, and many were taken prisoner. 📍This Battle became one of many symbols of resistance against Soviet occupation and remains significant in the memory of Lithuanian history. To honor the memory of the soldiers who perished during the Battle of Seda, a monument was erected in the town of Seda, near the church. 📍Read more about the Battle of Seda: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fatherland_Defense_Force 📍But the Battle of Seda isn’t just about history—it also has a unique connection to Lithuanian literature. Can you guess what it is? Drop your thoughts in the comments ⬇️, and we’ll reveal the answer later this week! #latlit #interreg #militaryheritage #heritagetourism #militaryheritagetourism
Northern Lithuania, and especially the Pasvalys and Joniškis regions, since the time of the independence war in 1918-1940 was characterized by vivid traditions of partisan warfare. The first partisan units were organized here. 1944 - 1946 Jonas Alenčikas Dragūnas was the commander of a partisan unit operating in the Žadeikiai forest. In 1945 partisans led by him installed a rather large bunker in the Žadeikiai forest, the length of which reached 30 m and the width of 6 m. A bunker of this size perfectly reflects the first stage of Lithuanian partisan battles, when partisans operated in large groups and lived in spacious bunkers or forest camps. The bunker was destroyed during the battle, but after the restoration of Lithuania's independence, the bunker was rebuilt by the Pasvalys rifle company. Currently, the bunker is under the supervision of the Pasvalys Local History Museum, a partisan camp has been restored near the bunker, a new memorial cross and an information stand have been built. ℹ️ Project LL-00052 “Extending the Baltic military heritage tourism product in Lithuania and South Latvia" (Military Heritage II), which is being implemented with the support of the European Union Interreg Latvia - Lithuania Programme #militaryheritage #latlit #militaryheritagetourism #militaryhistory
The Dimitravas Forced Labor Camp operated from 1937 to 1940 and in the latter half of 1941 to 1944 in Dimitravas (near Kretinga). Military commanders sent individuals selected by the political police and district chiefs to the camp when there was insufficient evidence to substantiate their guilt. These individuals could be held there for up to one year, with an additional six months for bad behavior. The forced labor involved stone-cutting. In 1939, 337 people were imprisoned in the camp, mainly for political offenses. Most of them were communists or individuals deemed dangerous to the authoritarian regime. In the summer of 1940, the camp was closed by the Soviet authorities. During the Nazi occupation, Soviet activists and farmers who failed to fulfill their obligations were held and executed there (1,770 people were killed). ℹ️ Project LL-00052 “Extending the Baltic military heritage tourism product in Lithuania and South Latvia" (Military Heritage II), which is being implemented with the support of the European Union Interreg Latvia - Lithuania Programme #militaryheritage #latlit #militaryheritagetourism #militaryhistory
Hiding from persecution and prying eyes, Lithuanian partisans built bunkers in the strangest and most unexpected places: in the dense forests, in farmers' saunas, under barns and stables, on floating lake islands and in swamps. Although today the forest surrounding the Plunksnočiai bunker is easily accessible and suitable for walking, after World War II the bunker was surrounded by a swampy forest with a small hill in the middle of the swamp. It was on this hill that the partisans established their hideout, where they stayed hidden until 1956, when the bunker was betrayed. ℹ️ Project LL-00052 “Extending the Baltic military heritage tourism product in Lithuania and South Latvia" (Military Heritage II), which is being implemented with the support of the European Union Interreg Latvia - Lithuania Programme #militaryheritage #latlit #militaryheritagetourism #militaryhistory
During the Military Heritage tourism experience exchange trip to Estonia in the beginning of October, project partners and stakeholders from Latvia 🇱🇻 and Lithuania 🇱🇹 visited Railway and Communications Museum in Haapsalu (Raudtee- ja Sidemuuseum), Estonia 🇪🇪 🚂 In the previous military heritage Estonia-Latvia Programme project, the oldest broad-gauge steam locomotive in Estonia was restored. 🚌 Experience exchange trip to Estonia was organized within the project LL-00052 “Extending the Baltic military heritage tourism product in Lithuania and South Latvia" (Military Heritage II), which is being implemented with the support of the European Union and Interreg Latvia - Lithuania Programme. #militaryheritage #latlit #haapsalu #militaryheritagetourism #militaryhistory #visitestonia
Between 1944 and 1949, this hideout served as the headquarters for the Eastern Lithuania (King Mindaugas) region of Lithuanian partisans. In the summer of 1944, Balys Žukauskas, along with his brothers Petras and Juozas Jovaiša, established the hideout and began to evade the mobilization into the Red Army, which had been announced in 1944. The hideout, which successfully sheltered partisans for five years, was betrayed on October 28, 1949. Surrounded by MGB (Ministry of State Security) troops, the partisans hiding in the homestead refused to surrender and detonated explosives, ending their lives. ℹ️ Project LL-00052 “Extending the Baltic military heritage tourism product in Lithuania and South Latvia" (Military Heritage II), which is being implemented with the support of the European Union Interreg Latvia - Lithuania Programme #militaryheritage #latlit #militaryheritagetourism #militaryhistory
Today we conclude to explore 🔎 Hiiumaa and its military heritage 🪖 by visiting Orjaku military harbour ⚓️, and Elamuskeskus Tuuletorn - Windtower Experience, where it was possible to see and learn interesting and interactive solutions for creating experiences for visitors. Our Military Heritage tourism experience exchange trip 🚌 to Estonia 🇪🇪 began on Monday with first site visit to Railway and Communications Museum (Raudtee- ja Sidemuuseum) 🚂 in Haapsalu. This museum is housed in a train station built in the early 20th century and it showcases the one-and-a-half centuries of development of Estonian railways and mediums of communication. The outdoor exhibition also displays a World War II steam locomotive. 💡 It was really interesting and useful to get to know the military heritage tourism examples and experiences from the previous Estonia-Latvia Programme military hetitage project from our friends in Estonia 🤝 for the future product development in Latvia and Lithuania. ℹ️ This activity is organized within the project LL-00052 “Extending the Baltic military heritage tourism product in Lithuania and South Latvia" (Military Heritage II), which is being implemented with the support of the European Union Interreg Latvia - Lithuania Programme. #militaryheritage #latlit #visithiiumaa #militaryheritagetourism #militaryhistory Lauku Ceļotājs / Baltic Country Holidays | Zemgales Plānošanas reģions / Zemgale Planning Region | AtostogosKaime.lt | Žemaitijos nacionalinis parkas | Latgale.Travel
The "Military Heritage II" project team together with stakeholders from Latvia 🇱🇻 and Lithuania 🇱🇹 are in Military Heritage tourism experience exchange trip in Estonia 🇪🇪 Today we went to Hiiumaa island to learn 👨‍🏫 from practice examples of military heritage tourism objects in Hiiumaa with our guide Ain Tähiste. 📍 We visited Hiiumaa Military Museum (Hiiumaa Militaarmuuseum) and its exhibition introducing the military history of Hiiumaa. 📍 Afterwards we visited Tahkuna Lighthouse, which is the tallest cast iron lighthouse on the coasts of Estonia. 📍 Our itineray also included the Coastal Batteries at Tahkuna and a two-storey underground control centre with two entrance tunnels. ℹ️This activity is organized within the project LL-00052 “Extending the Baltic military heritage tourism product in Lithuania and South Latvia" (Military Heritage II), which is being implemented with the support of the European Union Interreg Latvia - Lithuania Programme. #militaryheritage #latlit #visithiiumaa #militaryheritagetourism #militaryhistory Lauku Ceļotājs / Baltic Country Holidays | Zemgales Plānošanas reģions / Zemgale Planning Region | AtostogosKaime.lt | Žemaitijos nacionalinis parkas | Latgale.Travel
📣 A new project has been started to implement accessibility solutions so that the experience of military heritage tourism can be enjoyed by everyone 🙌 📍 Partners from 🇱🇻 Latvia and 🇪🇪 Estonia of the new Estonia-Latvia Programme project "Improved Accessibility of the Latvian-Estonian Military Heritage Tourism Product" (MIL-HER ACCESSIBLE) met this week for the first partners' meeting to start active work on jointly developed, piloted and implemented 4 accessibility solutions in 11 Estonian-Latvian military heritage tourism sites, thus improving the accessibility for different social groups: school-aged youth and people with visual, mobility, and anxiety restrictions. 🎓 The project partners also visited Latvijas Kara muzejs/Latvian War Museum, where they got acquainted with the museum's offer for school groups. 👉 More about the project: www.celotajs.lv/en/project/44 🪖 Military heritage tourism offer in Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia: www.militaryheritagetourism.info ℹ️ Project EE-LV00094 “Improved Accessibility of the Latvian-Estonian Military Heritage Tourism Product" (MIL-HER ACCESSIBLE) is being implemented with the support of the European Union Interreg VI-A Estonia-Latvia Programme 2021-2027. #militaryheritage #tourism #estlat #Interreg #accessibility Lauku Ceļotājs / Baltic Country Holidays | Karosta | Rehabilitācijas centrs Līgatne | Saldus novada pašvaldība | Visit Cēsis | Latvijas Okupācijas muzejs/Museum of the Occupation of Latvia | Sõjavara Muuseum | Raudtee- ja Sidemuuseum | Eesti Sõjamuuseum | Eesti Lennundusmuuseum / Estonian Aviation Museum | Hiiumaa Militaarmuuseum | Puhkus Maal
Rainiai Chapel of Suffering 🎚 📍On June 25-26, 1941, one of the most gruesome massacres in the history of the Soviet occupation of Lithuania took place in Rainiai forest. During the night, 76 political prisoners from Telšiai prison - intellectuals from the Telšiai region, were brutally tortured and killed by the Red Army and Soviet repressive institutions. The bodies of the victims, buried in a common grave, were discovered a few days later by a passerby. 📍To commemorate the memory of the victims and the suffering of all victims of the Soviet regime, the Rainiai Chapel of Suffering was built in 1991. This bright and minimalist sanctuary, created by prominent Lithuanian artists, has become a place of peaceful rest and reflection. The chapel's interior is dominated by white, symbolizing purity and innocence, while the red traces of blood in the stained-glass windows serve as a reminder of the brutal massacre. 📍The Rainiai Chapel of Suffering is not only a memorial but also a reminder that we must never forget the lessons of history and must continue to fight for freedom and democracy. 📍More about the Chapel: https://www.muziejusalka.lt/main-meniu-chapel-of-the-passion-of-the-saints/ 📍Audioguide in EN: https://zemaitijoskelias.lt/en/objects/rainiai-massacre-place-and-chapel-complex #latlit #interreg #militaryheritage #heritagetourism #militaryheritagetourism

Project LL-00052 “Extending the Baltic military heritage tourism product in Lithuania and South Latvia" (Military Heritage II) is being implemented with the support of the European Union Interreg VI-A Latvia–Lithuania Programme 2021- 2027. This website has been produced with the financial support of the European Union. Its contents are the sole responsibility of project partners and do not necessarily reflect the views of the European Union.

Project EE-LV00094 “Improved Accessibility of the Latvian-Estonian Military Heritage Tourism Product" (MIL-HER ACCESSIBLE) is being implemented with the support of the European Union Interreg VI-A Estonia–Latvia Programme 2021-2027. This website reflects the views of the author. The managing authority of the programme is not liable for how this information may be used.