Charming Franciscan Kretinga
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Port
Klaipeda, Lithuania
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Activity Level
Moderate
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Excursion Type
All
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Wheelchair Accessible
No
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Starting At
$89.95
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Minimum Age
Information Not Currently Available
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Duration
4¼ Hours
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Meals Included
Meals included
Visit Kretinga, a quaint little town just 30 minutes north of Klaipeda.
You'll step inside the Church of the Annunciation, which dates back to the 17th century. Take time to admire the 400-year-old main altar, restored to its former glory, and don't miss the crypts. Outside on the grounds, discover the Stations of the Cross.
The adjoining Franciscan monastery combines Renaissance and Baroque elements. The Franciscan brothers who lived in the monastery opened the first school here and later began publishing books and newspapers. It was closed by the czarist government and again in Soviet times. In 1992, shortly after Independence, the Franciscans returned, and the brothers are now devoted to a variety of social causes: they run a school, hold a soup kitchen and are building the first cancer support center in Lithuania. They hold warm and welcoming services, which invariably fill the church. You may meet and talk to one of the brothers or sisters, who will guide you around the church (unless they are at prayer).
Continue by coach through the center of Kretinga to the famous 19th-century estate of Count Tiskevicius. The historic estate is now a museum housing exhibits of the spiritual and cultural treasures of Kretinga -- Lithuanian wooden art and countless pieces of equipment used in authentic daily living. This is a profound insight into the traditions and daily life of the local people. The museum is also widely known for its beautiful Winter Garden, which has a wide variety of exotic plants from all over the world. At the end of your tour, enjoy tea in the café.
Return to Klaipeda and drive through the city center streets, past the neo-Gothic Post Office building and the Clocks & Watches Museum. A stop in the Old Town gives you time to browse in the handicrafts and amber market before the short drive back to the ship.
Notes:
Inside church visit(s) may not be possible if religious services are being held. Wear comfortable walking shoes. Terrain includes even and uneven surfaces, cobblestones, inclines, and steps.