Understand
This place was mentioned in 1253 as Garde Gardai. In the 17th century, when the main church and road of cross was built, people started calling it the New Jerusalem, but after some time it was named Kalvarija after the name of the hill, where Jesus was crucified. In the 20th century, the town was renamed to ŽemaiÄių Kalvarija to avoid misunderstandings, because there is another town in south-west of Lithuania, called Kalvarija.
During the Soviet years, 1964â1989, the town was renamed to Varduva. At that time, people, who visited this place as pilgrims, were persecuted by KGB. Only in 1989 town's name was restored back to its historic name ŽemaiÄių Kalvarija.
