GC1J8DQ Pivasiunai Church (Traditional Cache) in Lithuania created by ignas

This cache has been archived.

Leptoceratops: Hello!
I'm archiving your cache as it has been disabled for more than a one month and it is lost, completely damaged or inappropriate. Caches should be visited and maintained within 30 days after disabling.
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If there are still leftovers from container I would appreciate if other players could collect them so that there is no trash in the nature.

Happy geocaching!

GC1J8DQ ▼

A cache by ignas Message this owner

Hidden : 11/18/2008

Difficulty:

Terrain:

Size: Size: micro (micro)

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Geocache Description:

Pivasiunai city

[EN]
Place

Pivašiunai is a little town, situated in a hilly region near a long, bordered by a massive forest, in the southern Lithuania, 25 km North from Alytus.

History

Historically the town is known since the 17th century. As the reformation in Lithuania grew weaker, the landowner of the area converted from Protestantism and started to build a Catholic church, which was finished in 1648. The central altar was decorated with the picture of the Mother of God with the Baby. Most probably, already at that time the picture was considered to be miraculous while around 1750 it was decorated with a gilded metal garment and a crown. Historic sources witness that this church as well as the second one, built in 1766, perished in the fire. Both times two paintings, one of the Blessed Virgin Mary and the other of a founder of the church, were preserved. The third church was built in 1825 on a hill that people of the area were fond of and that was famous for legends telling that this used to be the place of a sacred pagan fire.

At the turn of the 20th century the parish experienced a big Polish influence. All the Masses were served in Polish until 1911 when a new rector started a national and religious revival.

Both World Wars passed the town by, only during the years of occupation many people were killed and deported. Still, at all times the Blessed Virgin Mary was guarding Pivašiunai. In gratitude people restored the picture, which they believed to be remarkable, miraculous, holy and up lifting.

[LT]
Pivašiunai – kaimas Alytaus rajono šiaures rytuose, šalia kelio Trakai - Alytus (KK220); seniunijos centras. Stovi Švc. Mergeles Marijos emimo dangun bažnycia (nuo 1825 m.) ir buvusi Senuju Traku benediktinu rezidencija, yra Pivašiunu vidurine mokykla, muzikos mokykla, paštas (LT-64069). Netoli stukso Pivašiunu piliakalnis, tvyro Ilgio ežeras, yra Pivašiunu miškas ir geomorfologinis draustinis, žvyro telkinys.

Pivašiunai garsus savo Šv. Mergeles Marijos atlaidais per Žoline, kai ten suplaukia tukstanciai tikinciuju. Gyvenvietes puošmena – ant kalno pastatyta Pivašiunu bažnycia; nakties metu didingai apšviesta ji yra matoma apylinkese beveik 5 km spinduliu, o šviesos pašvaistes siekia beveik 10 km atstumu nutolusias vietoves. Dievo Motinos paveikslas išliko per miestelio gaisrus. Paveikslas papuoštas sidabro vainiku ir pavaizduotas miestelio herbe.

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