The second outwork of Mastaiciai Mound with outworks and an outer bailey
Also called the second outwork of Narkunai Mound
Mastaiciai village, Kiduliai eldership, Sakiai district
A great complex that is reminiscent of ancient battles is situated in Mastaiciai village of Sakiai district, very close to the River Nemunas. Not only a castle hill stems to the sky, but also two outworks with an outer bailey are here. A landing stage and ship mooring excavation overgrown with sludge is also situated nearby. It witnesses that an important ancient port formerly existed near the fortress.
New Bajerburg Castle of the Teutonic Order stood on Mastaiciai Hill in the 14th century. Other people say that not New Bajerburg Castle, but Christmemel Castle or even Mastas Castle stood here.
And yet, not the name of the palace, but its importance is of the greatest interest: even two outworks to serve as structures of the castle defense were built in the Medieval times. They are still surrounded with defensive ditches. There is no wonder that the palace was so well protected: the palace was in the possession of the Teutonic Order that threatened the contemporary Lithuanians. Today you will find the second outwork of Mastaiciai Castle Hill with two dykes silently stemming to the sky. The sound of the fluttering leaves of deciduous trees that grow on the slopes of the outwork will be the only sound that can be heard in this place. But then, in the ancient time, this place was not as quiet as it is today: during the times of the Teutonic Order the second outwork, and probably the first one, was surrounded with a fence of pointed logs. Guards dressed in armour and carrying swords guarded the fortress’s peace day and night on the other side of this fence. However, the castle was not destined to survive. The fortress was once attacked by fierce Lithuanians who were led by Kaributas: they pulled down lots of trees into the ditches that surrounded the fortress and wanted to burn one of the outworks. The old people cannot remember which exactly outwork, the first or the second, was attacked by Lithuanians, because a dreadful end of the castle is the only thing people are talking about. As the warriors defending the outwork could not withstand attacks of the enemy, they set the fire on an outwork by themselves. Flames leaped at the tower of the castle. The palace immediately turned into a heap of smoking rubble and not even the smallest hint about the power that formerly existed in this place can be found here today…