Whatever you believe in or worship, Santaka Park – the place where the Nemunas and the Neris are joined in marriage – is the perfect place to recharge with the positive energy of nature. After all, this is the birthplace of the city! It is said that the temple of Milda stood right here, in a former alkas (sacred site). Come to the altar on 13 May, when Milda's Day, or the Day of Love, is celebrated. Romuva followers, whose numbers in Lithuania are growing fast, come to the altar to visit the eternal flame on other days too – look up the calendar of traditional festivals. The park is surrounded by unique historical sights – the castle, St George's Church and monastery buildings, and a little further away the priests' seminary and the archdiocesan curia. The park is much loved by locals and visitors alike as a place for walks, sport, picnics, photo shoots, selfies, marriage proposals and open-air weddings. Holy Mass was celebrated here in 1993 by Pope John Paul II and in 2018, as Lithuania marked the centenary of the restoration of its statehood, by Pope Francis; thousands of people attended. The event is commemorated by a mound and a statue of the Holy Father.