Location: Pamario g. 43, Nida

Neighbouring Nida’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, visitors can find Nida’s ethnographic cemetery of the 19th and 20th centuries. The wooden tomb monuments of an archaic signature shape, typical of the Curonian Spit, called krikštai, have been preserved through the years by local heritage enthusiasts like sculptor Eduardas Jonušas.

Krikštas – the oldest form of the tombstones in Lithuania were made of thick, trimmed boards. Its shape reminds of a tree and the sides were often adorned with bird silhouettes. This type of tomb monument serves a much wider purpose than just identifying the deceased. It is thought to connect the separate worlds of the universe - of life and afterlife - and signify a spiritual symbol of a pathway for the departing soul to the heavenly realms.

When crafting a wood monument for a male, traditionally ‘male’ gender trees like oak, birch and ash were used. ‘Female’ trees like fir, aspen or linden were used for women. Symbols were also gender specific: horse heads, male plants and birds were depicted for men while female carvings included hearts, birds and other plants. Krikštas always stood at the foot side of the grave, which was believed to help the ascending soul to grasp on while getting up on the day of reckoning.

Several honourable town residents and prominent Neringa residents are buried at the cemetery.