Gintautas Zabiela
The capital and its secret
(Summary)
This is the Interview with the archaeologist Gintautas Zabiela on the question of the localization of Voruta, the first Lithuanian capital by Liudvikas Giedraitis. Voruta is witnessed in the manuscript of Hipatius chronicle written in the middle of the 13th century. The majority of historians were trying to identify its locality. Fifteen of the localities are mentioned. The names of them are: Vilnius, Kernavė, Liškiava, Varėna, Varnėnai, Daugai, Šeimyniškėliai, Ūturiai etc. The names are identified with the name of Voruta. The evidence of the investigators is based on the archaeological, historical and linguistic data. It is regretable that the facts seem to be conflicting in many respects. The archaeologist Zabiela concludes that the castle of Voruta was on the mound that is nowdays called by the name of Šeimyniškėliai. It is near the town of Anykščiai. It was built by Grand Duke Mindaugas in the middle of the 13th century on the northern frontier of his state. It was as if precautionary post from the threat of the Livonian Order. May be here in some respect, the question of Lithuania's existense was in the judgement. Mindaugas' newly built castle was called by the name Voruta. When the castle was ruined and its defensive capasity was lost the name of the hill remained only in people's memories. That is the Varutė (Varuta) Hill.
Liaudies kultūra. 1998, Nr.2 (59). P. 6.
Full text in Lithuanian: Paslapties sostinė. Archeologas Gintautas ZABIELA, klausinėjamas Liudviko GIEDRAIČIO, aiškina Vorutos paslaptį // Liaudies kultūra. 1998, Nr.2 (59). P. 1-6.
Articles
Poetry of Voruta 
Lietuviškai
По-русски
