Origin of the name “Verkiai” is explained by an old legend. A crying baby was found in a tree, in eagle’s nest, whose voice was heard by Great Duke of Lithuania hunting in the vicinity. Father of the baby, heathen chief priest krivių krivaitis told that he himself had put his illegitimate child into the nest, for, according to will of gods, the baby will take up his place. The baby was named Lizdeika (Lith. ‘lizdas’ – a nest) and became krivių krivaitis, and the place where the tree and the nest were located is still called Verkiai (Lith. ‘verkti’ – to cry). Later Lizdeika became the principal priest in Lithuania and explained to duke Gediminas his dream on iron wolf, which explanation resulted in establishment of Vilnius city.
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