Panemunė Castle is Pilis I’s prominent historical landmark. It is located at 53 Vytėnų Street, beside the bends of the Nemunas. Visitors can walk through the castle’s inner courtyard and the scenic surroundings. This brings architectural history, parkland and river together in one visit. If you would like to tailor your time to your interests, you can focus on the castle itself, the protected green space or the area along the Nemunas.

Castle, river and park

The scenic castle park covers 15 hectares and is designated a state-protected historic green space. The historic park around the castle included five ponds. The area and ponds give the park its own character alongside the building; a visit therefore takes in not only the castle’s history but also its historic setting. Pilis I is also within Panemunių Regional Park. The information describes two different scales: the 15 hectares refer to the castle park, while the regional park location places Pilis I in a wider context. This lets you decide in advance whether to focus on the immediate castle grounds or to place your visit within a regional context. The courtyard and surroundings offer a specific reason to explore on foot.

A castle designed for representation

Panemunė Castle is thought to have been built around 1604 to 1610. It was commissioned by the nobleman Jonušas Eperješas, who was of Hungarian origin. The castle was designed by the Dutch-born architect Petras Nonhartas. Its intended purpose is also important to understanding it: the castle was designed more for representation than for territorial defence. This distinction adds information about its planned function to the construction dates. Those interested in architectural history can consider the construction period, patron, architect and purpose as four aspects of this historic site. This gives a visit to the castle a clear historical focus, distinct from the parkland.

Events and museum

Concerts, fairs and other events are held in the castle courtyard. If you are travelling to Pilis I for a particular event, check the event details in advance. A museum opened in the castle after its reconstruction from 2012 to 2015; check whether it is open on your planned visit date. An event and a museum visit require different advance checks. This lets you plan your cultural activities and visit day accordingly, rather than assuming both are always available. The courtyard is therefore both part of the historic castle and a venue for cultural events.

Getting there and accommodation

The Kaunas–Jurbarkas road runs through Pilis I; the castle’s specific address is 53 Vytėnų Street. Use this address for navigation and check the route details before setting off. Check road conditions separately. There is a hotel in the castle that offers stays of several days. If you are considering this accommodation, check availability before travelling. This lets you base your decision about a multi-day stay on actual booking availability and include a visit to the castle in your plans.

Discover more destinations: Veliuona, Margiškiai, Tauragė, Smalininkai, Jurbarkas, Lumpėnai, Pagėgiai

Return to the wider travel overview: Tauragė County.