The First World War on the Latvian-Lithuanian border
The route “The First World War on the Borderlands of Latvia and Lithuania” introduces the events of the First World War on the Eastern Front in Latgale and Aukštaitija. It begins at the Medumi First World War Museum, where you can learn interactively about the everyday life of soldiers and military equipment. The route then leads to the Turmantas exhibition and the Kimbartiškis German army positions, where bunkers, artillery positions and historical evidence of battles can be viewed. Overall, the route provides a brief but educational insight into the life of the front and the impact of the war on the borderlands.
What the tour includes
At the World War I Museum, you can learn about the history of the Medumi area and its transformations during the war. The museum's exposition introduces the everyday life of soldiers, innovative wartime solutions and weapons used. The third hall, where a bunker comes to life, is particularly exciting - visitors can feel like a soldier, explore trenches, hiding places and soldier attributes, gaining an authentic battlefield experience. At the Turmantas Museum, visitors will learn about the importance of Turmantas on the Eastern Front and the logistics activities of the German 88th Division. The modern exhibition with virtual reality allows you to view unique artifacts, uniforms, weapons, combat equipment and photographs, getting to know the everyday life and life of soldiers at the front. The museum is part of the international route "On the Trails of the First World War". Visitors can view authentic German army artillery positions in the village of Kimbartiškis from 1915 to 1918. The concrete battery structures, including fire control points, observation and cover bunkers, date back to 1911. These positions allow us to imagine how the German army protected its guns, ammunition and personnel, as well as how front-line artillery operations were organized.