The Amber Sun of Marijampolė

The Amber Sun of Marijampolė

Find out more about the history of Marijampolė

Welcome to Marijampolė, Lithuania, a city where history whispers through its streets and the Šešupė River carries centuries of stories. Today, we follow Rokas Varnelis, a history professor and amateur archaeologist, on an unexpected journey to uncover a piece of Lithuania’s hidden past.

Study some information about Lithuania’s 19th-century independence movement and answer a question on the next slide

Rokas stood in the bustling J. Basanavičius Square, his leather satchel slung over his shoulder. The morning sun cast long shadows on the cobblestones. He was here to deliver a lecture on Lithuania’s 19th-century independence movement, but fate had other plans.

“Professor Varnelis, have you seen this?” asked Laima, a museum curator, handing him an old diary they had recently discovered. Its leather cover was cracked, and the pages smelled of dust and time.

“What am I looking at?” Rokas asked, thumbing through the faded text.“It belonged to an unknown rebel from the press ban era,” Laima said. “But look at this passage.” She pointed to a page scrawled in hurried handwriting:“The sun’s light will guide you. Begin where the stories flow.”Rokas’s brow furrowed. “The Šešupė River. This is more than a diary; it’s a treasure map.”

Some information about the Šešupė river

The Šešupė River – The Song of Secrets

By midday, Rokas found himself at the Šešupė River Promenade, the water sparkling under the bright autumn sun. Fishermen cast their lines lazily, while families strolled along the banks.“Excuse me,” Rokas called to an elderly man tying a small boat to the dock. “Do you know of any local stories about the river? Something involving the sun?”

The old man smiled, revealing a toothy grin. “Ah, you must mean the Bridge of Whispers. There’s a folk song about it. They say the bridge speaks to those who listen.”“Where is it?” Rokas asked eagerly.The old man pointed upstream. “Follow the path. You can’t miss it.”

The Old Iron Bridge – A Carving in the Shadows

“Seek the house of light and shadow.”

Rokas reached the Old Iron Bridge, its structure worn but sturdy. As he walked beneath it, he noticed a faint carving on the stone support. The symbol of a sun stood out against the moss-covered surface.“There you are,” Rokas whispered, brushing away dirt to reveal an inscription: “Seek the house of light and shadow.”He immediately thought of the St. Michael the Archangel Basilica, whose stained-glass windows played with light and shadow like no other.

St. Michael the Archangel Basilica – Secrets in the Glass

“Where the word is guarded, truth lies hidden.”

The basilica was quiet, its grandeur amplified by the afternoon light streaming through its towering stained-glass windows. Rokas paused to admire the play of colors on the marble floor before approaching one window that caught his eye. It depicted a radiant sun surrounded by Lithuanian motifs.He leaned closer. At the window’s base, he noticed another inscription: “Where the word is guarded, truth lies hidden.”“The gymnasium,” Rokas murmured. “Of course.”

At the Rygiškių Jonas Gymnasium, a school known for its role in the Lithuanian language revival, Rokas was greeted by a friendly librarian.“You’re looking for something, Professor?” she asked, noticing his determined expression.“Yes, I believe there’s a clue hidden in one of your older books,” Rokas replied.

Rygiškių Jonas Gymnasium – The Hidden Map

The librarian raised an eyebrow but led him to a dusty shelf of 19th-century texts. Rokas carefully examined the spines until one caught his attention—a thick tome with an embossed sun on the cover.Inside, he found a folded map tucked between the pages. It depicted the Kalvarija Mound, a historic hillfort outside Marijampolė.

The sun was setting when Rokas arrived at the Kalvarija Mound, its silhouette dark against the fiery sky. He followed the map to a specific spot near the base of the hill. With a small spade from his satchel, he began to dig.After a few moments, his spade hit something solid. He unearthed a small chest, its wood worn but intact. Inside lay a carved amber pendant in the shape of a radiant sun.“It’s beautiful,” Rokas breathed, holding the pendant up to catch the last rays of sunlight. “And so symbolic of our history.”

The next day, Rokas presented the amber sun pendant to the Marijampolė Region Museum. Laima was there, beaming with pride.“This isn’t just a treasure,” Rokas said during the unveiling. “It’s a reminder of our resilience, our fight to preserve our culture and identity.”The amber sun became the museum’s centerpiece, drawing visitors from across the country. Rokas’s discovery reignited interest in Marijampolė’s heritage, proving that history is always waiting to be uncovered.

Finansuojama Europos Sąjungos lėšomis. Tačiau išreiškiamas požiūris ar nuomonė yra tik autoriaus (-ių) ir nebūtinai atspindi Europos Sąjungos ar Europos švietimo ir kultūros vykdomosios įstaigos (EACEA) požiūrį ar nuomonę. Nei Europos Sąjunga, nei EACEA negali būti laikoma už juos atsakinga.

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