🇱🇹 National Partisan Bunker in Žadeikiai Forest 🇱🇹 From the War of Independence (1918–1940), the regions of Pasvalys and Joniškis have had strong traditions of partisan resistance. It was here that some of the first Lithuanian partisan units were formed. These traditions continued after World War II. In 1944, new partisan groups began forming in the area. Between 1944 and 1946, Jonas Alenčikas–Dragūnas led one of these units, operating in the Žadeikiai Forest. In 1945, under his leadership, partisans built a large underground bunker — 30 meters long and 6 meters wide. This type of bunker represents the early stage of Lithuania’s post-war resistance, when partisans lived in large groups and occupied spacious forest shelters. The original bunker was destroyed during combat, but it was later restored by the Pasvalys Infantry Company after Lithuania regained independence. 🪖 Today, the site is maintained by the Pasvalys Museum of Local History. A reconstructed partisan camp now stands beside the bunker, along with a newly erected memorial cross and information stand. 📍 Easily accessible — located not far from the VIA Baltica (E67) highway. ℹ️ militaryheritagetourism.info/en/military/sites/view/834

At the Daugava Museum there is a fragment of a pine tree on display with railroad spikes driven into it. The spikes served as footholds that allowed the surrounding area to be observed during the First World War. There is documentary evidence of this preserved in eyewitness accounts. In Riga, near the Bolderāja railway line and surrounded by the Kleisti Forest, there is a similar pine. More precisely, its remains, as the trunk has fallen over. But railroad spikes are still visible in it. Since this area was the scene of events connected to the Bermontian offensive and there are trenches nearby, there is a strong possibility that this pine was also used as an observation post during the First World War. Last week, together with staff from the Latvian War Museum, we inspected the now-decayed tree and took one of the spikes for the museum’s exhibition. Foto: Juris Smaļinskis Latvijas Kara muzejs/Latvian War Museum Daugavas muzejs

🧭 Adventures in search of Military Heritage Sites… 🌲🪖 Turns out – not all military heritage sites are that easy to find! 😅 We’ve looked for this one TWICE. The first time… we gave up. I mean, if there’s no sign, no path leading directly to the destination – it can’t be a tourist site, right? 🤷‍♀️ This time we were serious: we’ll go wherever and as far as needed! Because: the site is worth the visit, it should definitely be added to www.militarytourismheritage.info, and – if everyone else finds it, why can’t we?? 😄 🥾 So, we chose the shortest route – straight across the fields. Genius! 🙈 Waist-high wet grass, boots soaked like we just had a swamp spa treatment. And then – BAM! 💥 A simple forest road winding through the forest straight to the goal… A road that the GPS most likely showed us from the beginning. But of course, we knew better, taking the “shortcut.” 😂 And this is what the whole adventure was about: 📍 Krakiai (Miliai) Bunker – hidden, as a proper partisan hideout should be, deep in the forests of Mažeikiai District. In 1948, three Lithuanian freedom fighters hid here, were betrayed, and killed during an MGB operation. Today, the bunker is restored and open to visitors. 👉 Learn more: 🔗 https://militaryheritagetourism.info/en/military/sites/view/980?14&lang=en #latlit #interreg #militaryheritage #heritagetourism #militaryheritagetourism

🎬 Military heritage sites – on the film set! 🇱🇹📽️ As previously announced, we are currently filming military heritage sites in Latvia and Lithuania. 📅 On July 7–10, an intensive filming session took place in Lithuania, capturing some of the country’s most remarkable military tourism sites – from Soviet bunkers to memorials preserving the memory of national resistance. Over the course of 4 packed days, we filmed 15 unique sites, including: 🔹 Cold War Exposition – a secret missile launch complex still echoing the tension of the Cold War; 🔹Lyduvėnai Railway Bridge – the longest bridge in Lithuania, offering both panoramic and historical views; 🔹Lithuanian Partisan Memorial in Kryžkalnis – a place where silence speaks of sacrifice and the price of freedom; 🔹 Kaunas IX Fort – one of the most haunting sites of totalitarian regimes, a place that lingers in your thoughts long after the visit. 🎥 We’re proud to have been part of the filming team, contributing to this important story – and we can’t wait to see the final result! ℹ️This activity is carried out within the framework of the project LL-00052 “Extending the Baltic military heritage tourism product in Lithuania and South Latvia” (Military Heritage II), with the support of the European Union Interreg Latvia - Lithuania Programme #latlit #interreg #militaryheritage #heritagetourism #militaryheritagetourism

🇱🇻 Šodien, 10. jūlijā, atzīmējam Latvijas armijas 106. dibināšanas gadadienu. 1919. gada 10. jūlijā, apvienojot pulkveža Jāņa Baloža komandēto Dienvidlatvijas brigādi ar pulkveža Jorģa Zemitāna vadīto Ziemeļlatvijas brigādi, ģenerāļa Dāvida Sīmansona vadībā tika izveidota vienota Latvijas armija. ⚔️ Šis bija nozīmīgs solis valsts aizsardzības stiprināšanā – tieši Latvijas armija bija izšķiroša spēka balsts Neatkarības kara laikā (1918–1920), sargājot jaunizveidoto valsti no ārējiem un iekšējiem apdraudējumiem. Arī mūsdienās Latvijas armija ir būtisks valsts drošības garants, kas aizsargā mūsu neatkarību, piedalās starptautiskajās operācijās un stiprina sabiedroto vienotību NATO sastāvā. 🙏 Godināsim karavīrus, kuri ar drosmi un uzticību kalpo Latvijai – gan toreiz, gan šodien! 🇱🇻 Gods kalpot Latvijai! Vairāk par Latvijas armijas vēsturi: www.militaryheritagetourism.info/lv/military/topics/view/89 Attēlā: Ģenerālis Dāvids Sīmansons (centrā) un pulkvedis Jānis Balodis Rīgā, Daugavmalā Latvijas Pagaidu valdības sagaidīšanas laikā 1919. gada 8. jūlijā. Foto no Cēsu Vēstures un mākslas muzeja.

🗺️ New Travel Guide released! Explore the Baltic states through the lens of history with the Baltic Military Heritage Travel Guide – Southern Part! 🇱🇹🇱🇻 Discover unique military heritage sites across Lithuania and Latvia – from bunkers and battlefields to military towns, museums, and memorials. The guide covers history from WWI to the present day, featuring: ✅ a travel map with 242 military heritage sites in Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia; ✅ detailed descriptions of 113 sites in Lithuania and Latvia; ✅ 10 multi-day routes through Latvia and Lithuania. 📘 Available in Latvian, Lithuanian, English, and German 🌐 Online versions here: www.militaryheritagetourism.info/en/info/publications Time to hit the road and walk through history! ℹ️ This travel guide has been produced within the framework of the project LL-00052 “Extending the Baltic military heritage tourism product in Lithuania and South Latvia” (Military Heritage II), with the support of the European Union Interreg Latvia - Lithuania Programme. Lauku Ceļotājs / Baltic Country Holidays | Zemgales Plānošanas reģions / Zemgale Planning Region | Lietuvos kaimo turizmo asociacija | Žemaitijos nacionalinis parkas | Latgales Tūrisma asociācija #MilitaryHeritage #baltictravel #historytourism #latvia #lithuania #estonia #travelguide #explorebaltics #militaryhistory #latlit

🎥 We have started creating a video about military heritage sites in Latvia 🇱🇻 and Lithuania 🇱🇹 – museums, collections, bunkers, battle sites, and more. Yesterday we were filming at the “Miķelis” recreation complex, which features an extensive automobile collection. 🚗 One of the most valuable exhibits is the oldest car in the collection – an “Albion” brand vehicle manufactured in 1916. In the 1920s, twelve cars of this brand were in service with a company of the Latvian Army. ℹ️ This activity is carried out within the framework of the project LL-00052 “Extending the Baltic military heritage tourism product in Lithuania and South Latvia” (Military Heritage II), with the support of the European Union Interreg Latvia - Lithuania Programme

On tore, kui ka omavalitsused oma territooriumil ajaloopärandit esitlevad. Sealhulgas militaarajaloo pärandit. Karulaugu terviseraja tutvustus Viimis valla kodulehel. It's great when local governments also present the historical heritage of their territory. Including the heritage of military history. Introduction to the Karulaugu health trail on the Viimis municipality website:

🕯️ 4. jūlijs – Ebreju tautas genocīda upuru piemiņas diena Šodien, 4. jūlijā, Latvijā godinām Ebreju tautas genocīda (Holokausta) upuru piemiņu. Šī diena atgādina par 1941. gada notikumiem, kad Rīgas geto un sinagogas tika iznīcinātas, aizsākot plaša mēroga ebreju iznīcināšanu nacistiskās Vācijas okupētajā Latvijā. Holokausta laikā tika nogalināti vairāk nekā 70 000 Latvijas ebreju, kā arī tūkstošiem ebreju no citām Eiropas valstīm, kuri tika deportēti uz Latviju. Par šo traģisko vēstures lappusi iespējams uzzināt arī dažādos militārā mantojuma objektos. Viens no tiem – Viļakas muzejs, kur ar Interreg Latvia - Lithuania Programme atbalstu izveidots digitāls informācijas stends, kas ietver arī sadaļu par ebreju tautas genocīdu un tā norisi reģionā. 📍 Aicinām apmeklēt muzeju un uzzināt vairāk par vietējo vēsturi, kas nedrīkst tikt aizmirsta. www.militaryheritagetourism.info/lv/military/sites/view/1016 🔎 Vairāk par holokaustu: www.militaryheritagetourism.info/lv/military/topics/view/60 #holokausts #ebrejugenocīds #piemiņasdiena #viļakasmuzejs #latvialithuaniaprogramme

Turpinot Latvijas jūrniecības mantojuma digitālu iemūžināšanu, Rīgas brīvostas pārvalde pabeigusi darbu pie jauna kolekcijas eksponāta - Daugavgrīvas cietokšņa virtuālās 360 grādu tūres, kas turpmāk būs publiski apskatāma Rīgas brīvostas pārvaldes mājaslapā. Lapas adrese ievietota pirmajā komentārā. Continuing the digital preservation of Latvia’s maritime heritage, the Freeport of Riga Authority has completed work on a new collection exhibit – a virtual 360-degree tour of the Daugavgrīva Fortress, which will now be publicly accessible on the Freeport of Riga Authority’s website. The link to the site is provided in the first comment.

After the occupation of Estonia in 1940 and the end of the Second World War, the PAKRI ISLANDS came under the direct military control of the Soviet Union. The islands were completely “cleared” of civilian inhabitants: local Swedish-origin and Estonian landowners were forcibly relocated to the mainland or expelled. This process represented a typical example of the militarization of the Baltic Sea coast during the consolidation of Soviet power. The Soviet army established an aviation target range on these islands. Bomber and attack aviation units conducted training exercises here, with aircraft from the mainland (particularly from the Paldiski base) carrying out practice bombing runs against targets positioned on the islands. Specialized concrete and metal target replicas were constructed, along with observation posts and command facilities. The islands’ terrain and geographic isolation made them an “ideal” training ground. Photo: Digna Pilāte

Sometimes military heritage sites are right next to your everyday routes. For example, this one located in Pārdaugava. Unveiled in 1939, this monument honors the fallen soldiers of Latvia’s 1st Armored Division (later the Armored Tank Regiment). It shows an armored car racing uphill, with the unit insignia on the front of the pedestal. Built in the Art Deco style, it’s a valuable piece of art telling the story of the “Iron Soldiers” of the Independence War. Armored cars back then were all about speed (up to 60 km/h) and surprise—striking the enemy with machine guns. They were built on light car frames with 4–8 mm armor plates, armed with machine guns or small-caliber cannons. They carried enough fuel and ammo for about 30 minutes of continuous fighting—up to 5000 rounds and around 30 grenades or other explosives. For example, the “Lāčplēsis” car used a massive 1350 liters of fuel in November 1919. Each car had a crew of 3–5 men on a dangerous, critical mission. Locked inside their fighting vehicles with all that ammo, they faced the enemy head-on. Engines often overheated and failed, but these crews and their machines inspired hope and the will to win. Today you can see this monument near the former Latvian Army Armored Tank Regiment barracks in Pārdaugava. Foto: Juris Smaļinskis

Victory Day parade in Estonia, Pärnu. Victory Day is an Estonian national holiday. It celebrates Estonia's victory over Landesveer in the Battle of Võnnu on June 23rd, 1919.

Militārā mantojuma un velo entuziastiem patiks Augšdaugavas novada un Lietuvas dienvidu pusē marķētais velo maršruts nr. 790 🚵‍♀️ Pirmā pasaules kara laikā Latvijas un Lietuvas teritorijā vairākus gadus atradās frontes „Dzīvības un Nāves” līnija. Tās abās pusēs tika būvēta sarežģīta nocietinājumu sistēma ar ierakumiem, tranšejām un bunkuriem. Tūkstošiem karavīru te cīnījās un krita sīvās kaujās, par ko liecina neskaitāmie kritušo karavīru apbedījumi. Līdz mūsu dienām Augšdaugavas novada Medumu pagasta mežos vēl ir neskaitāmi, līdz mūsu dienām saglabājušies vāciešu veidoti betona bunkuri, lielgabalu un munīcijas novietnes un ierakumi. Maršrutā var apskatīt vairākus, labāk saglabājušos bunkurus, kā arī Pirmā pasaules kara ekspozīcijas Medumos WWI ROUTE un Turmatā (Lietuvā), kas veltītas pirmajam pasaules, karam. Ekspozīcijas aicina apmeklētājus apskatīt interesantus artefaktus, eksponātus un Pirmā pasaules kara liecības 🏵 #militaryheritagetourism #MilitaryHeritage #LATLIT Augšdaugavas novads.Travel | Interreg Latvia - Lithuania Programme

Estonian Television will repeat the documentary series Metsavennad ("Forest Brothers"), which was produced in 2022. One of the harshest chapters in Estonia's recent history is the forest brotherhood. On the one hand, the forest brotherhood was a refuge for thousands of people from the violence of foreign rule. On the other hand, it was our last armed struggle for freedom. All 11 series are available in:

Birthplace of Gen. Pyotr Wrangel – “The Black Baron”🏠 Hidden in the quiet Mukuliai village stands an abandoned manor with a remarkable past. In 1878, it became the birthplace of Gen. Pyotr Wrangel, one of the most prominent leaders of the White Army during the Russian Civil War. The estate, once owned by Russian general and historian Pavel Bobrovsky, later belonged to Lithuanian politician Dr. Juozas Buzelis. During Soviet times, it served as a school and rest house. A simple plaque now marks this forgotten site of great historical significance. Interreg Latvia - Lithuania Programme #latlit #interreg #militaryheritage #heritagetourism #militaryheritagetourism

Estonian Aviation Day air show demonstrations near Tartu.

🇱🇹 Monument in Vyžuonos Honoring Lithuania’s Independence 🇱🇹 In 1939, a monument was built in Vyžuonos to mark the 20th anniversary of Lithuania’s Independence and the Riflemen’s Union. Designed and built by the Žiedai brothers of the local Riflemen unit, it symbolized unity and patriotism. Inscribed with “To the Heroes of the Nation – From Vyžuoniškiai,” the monument was buried during Soviet times, then rediscovered in 1989 and restored in 1990. A proud reminder of our history and resilience. 🙌🇱🇹 Interreg Latvia - Lithuania Programme #latlit #interreg #militaryheritage #heritagetourism #militaryheritagetourism

Estonian Aviation Days 2025. Also today. At the Estonian Aviation Museum, near Tartu.

A place where silence once spoke volumes awaits discovery 🧭 Hidden beneath a grey building in the heart of Tartu lies a chilling piece of Estonia’s past — the KGB Cells Museum. Once used by the Soviet secret police as a detention centre for political prisoners in the 1940s–50s, this basement now reveals the brutal reality of occupation-era Estonia. Explore solitary confinement cells, restored corridor, and an exhibition that traces Estonia’s journey through WWII, resistance, and Soviet repression. Learn how a group of former student dissidents uncovered this forgotten space and turned it into a site of memory and education. 🏛️ 📍 Riia 15b, Tartu, Estonia 🌐 More info: www.muuseum.tartu.ee/kgb-kongide-muuseum History lives here. Come and listen. KGB kongide muuseum / KGB Cells Museum #militaryheritage #heritagetourism #kgbcellsmuseum

“Fjell Fortress” – A WWII Coastal Defense Stronghold on Sotra Island, Norway On Sotra Island — near Bergen — the German army built one of the most impressive fortifications in Scandinavia during World War II. 🔩 Construction began in 1942, when the triple 28.3 cm naval gun turret ("Bruno" turret) was removed from the heavily damaged battleship Gneisenau. A 17-meter-deep shaft was excavated into the mountain to install the turret. The entire gun system weighed around 1,000 tons! 🎯 The shells fired by the gun weighed over 330 kg and had a range of up to 41 km (in practice, slightly less). However, after a few test shots in 1943 — which shattered windows and collapsed buildings in a nearby village — the use of the gun was severely limited. 🕳️ Beneath the surface, a tunnel complex over 2 km long was carved into solid granite, containing barracks, storage rooms, a sauna, and even a hospital. Most of the construction was carried out using Soviet prisoners of war. 🎖️ After the war, the fortress was used by the Norwegian military until 2003, including as a radar installation. 🧭 A must-see destination for history and military heritage enthusiasts!

On May 29th, Lietuvos kaimo turizmo asociacija set out a special media tour – “Military Heritage in Lithuania” – as part of the Military Heritage II project, exploring key sites in the Utena and Ignalina districts. Together with an amazing group of like-minded history enthusiasts, they visited the Utena Freedom Fights Museum, enjoyed a delicious lunch at the historic Paliesius Manor, and continued on a journey through Ignalina region to discover the 110-year-old legacy of the First World War – bunkers, monuments, and authentic local stories. The day ended perfectly – with snacks and discussions in the peaceful embrace of nature, accompanied by final stories of life near the German army. Interreg Latvia - Lithuania Programme #latlit #interreg #militaryheritage #heritagetourism #militaryheritagetourism

Summer project theatre in Estonia: "The story of the forest brother's girlfriend".

🔩 Dzelzs tilts pāri Bērzes upei – atgādinājums par militāro vēsturi ⛓ Vai esi redzējis šo dzelzs tiltu pie Gardenes, Dobeles novadā? Tas nav parasts lauku tilts – tas ir palicis no kādreizējā tanku poligona "Dobele-2", kas darbojās līdz 1992. gadam. 🏗 Tilts tika uzstādīts 80. gadu beigās pēc tam, kad sabruka koka tilts, un kalpoja par daļu no tanku apmācību trases pāri Bērzes upei. Mūsdienās tas nekur īsti neved – otrpus upei ir tikai dažas lauku mājas, taču pati konstrukcija ir labi saglabājusies un liecina par kādreizējo militāro rosību. 🛠️ Neparasta arhitektūra, dzelzs konstrukcija un klusa liecība par padomju laika militāro klātbūtni Latvijā. 🔎 Vairāk par šo objektu: https://militaryheritagetourism.info/lv/military/sites/view/935?1 Visit Dobele #latlit #interreg #militaryheritage #heritagetourism #militaryheritagetourism

Take a closer look at Estonia’s military past at the Jõgeva Military Museum! From archaelogical findings to modern-day conflict exhibits, this museum takes you on a journey through time with authentic artefacts, historical memorabilia, and an impressive reconstruction of an Arsenal-Crossley armoured car. Explore military and civilian history side-by-side and don’t miss the educational programs that make history come alive for all ages! 🕰 Opened in 2012, this museum is a must-visit for history enthusiasts traveling through Jõgevamaa. 📍Tallinna maantee 17b, Jõgeva 🌐 www.pommiauk.eu 📞 +372 51 04 191 👉 Plan your visit and dive deep into the stories behind Estonia’s resilience! Photo by Sergei Jeromin Pommiauk #militaryheritage #heritagetourism #jõgevamilitarymuseum