The remains of 20 persons found on Gediminas Hill are from 1863-1864. of rebels killed Lukiškiai square in Vilnius in 1863-1864, determined by scientists who performed detailed search and identification of remains. Among the remains discovered are the remains of the commanders of the uprising, Zigmantas Sierakauskas and Konstantinas Kalinauskas. The remains of Stanislaus Ihora could not be found, the search will continue.
According to the Minister of Culture Mindaugas Kvietkauskas, the discovered remains will be buried this fall in Vilnius, in the Rasa cemetery, in the columbarium of the central chapel. It is said that a solemn funeral will be held, to which the leaders of Poland, Belarus and Ukraine will be invited.
1863-1864 21 participants of the uprising were executed by hanging or shooting in Lukiški Square, including the commanders - Z. Sierakauskas and K. Kalinauskas.
It is believed that the decision to bury the bodies of the murdered rebels on Gediminas Hill was not accidental - it could have been aimed at hiding their burial place from their relatives and the public.
After 1831 a fortress was built on the territory of the castles of Vilnius by the order of the rebel Emperor Nicholas I. It was not accessible to the public until the 10th century. late XNUMXs.
The hypothesis that 1863 can be buried on Gediminas Hill. rebels, back in 1904 raised by historian and doctor Vladislovas Zahorskis. Later in the publication "Przewodnik po Wilnie" ("Guide to Vilnius") he stated that he was buried on Gediminas Hill in 1863. leader of the uprising Z. Sierakauskas, as well as priest S. Išora, Boleslovas Kolyška.
in 1917 August 17 a cross was erected to commemorate S. Išora and Z. Sierakauskas, but the German authorities removed the cross on the same day.
It was rebuilt only in 1921. And in 1925 Two plaques were uncovered next to the cross: one with the inscription in Polish "Unknown Soldier", and the other with the names of those executed in Lukiški Square in 1863. in the names of the rebels.
in 1940 who stood on Gediminas Hill in June 1863. the cross for the rebels was removed.
Sigita Zumerytė (ELTA)
