Kaunas – The Second Largest City in Lithuania
Kaunas is the second largest city in Lithuania, located at the confluence of the two largest Lithuanian rivers, the Neris and the Nemunas. When Vilnius was occupied by the Poles in 1920, Kaunas even served as the provisional capital of Lithuania for 20 years. It is proudly known as the most Lithuanian city in the country, as about 90% of its 290,000 inhabitants are ethnic Lithuanians, the highest percentage nationwide.
Kaunas boasts a picturesque old town, a grid-planned economic new town, and many green spaces. With over 40 museums, it is also referred to as the city of museums, as many well-known Lithuanian writers, poets, artists, and composers have left their mark here. A delight for culture lovers in every sense and facet!
Take a stroll through the old town, which features over 500 historical buildings, and visit the former marketplace with its town hall—the “White Swan,” the baroque Church of St. Francis Xavier, the Renaissance ensemble of the Holy Trinity Church and the Masalskis Palace (now a seminary), the impressive Perkunas House, the Cathedral of St. Peter and Paul, and much more. From the Aleksotas Hill, you can enjoy a breathtaking view over the old town with its red roofs and towers.
On the northern outskirts of Kaunas, the IX Fort from the Tsarist era is worth a visit. During the Nazi period, an extermination camp was established here under the seemingly innocuous name "Operation No. 1005-B." More than 50,000 people of various nationalities, including 30,000 of Jewish descent, were killed here. Despite its grim history, the IX Fort is notable not only for its impressive photos and exhibits but also for its architecture.
Pazaislis
Near Kaunas, set in a picturesque landscape, lies a true gem of the High Baroque—Pazaislis Monastery and Church, regarded as one of the most beautiful architectural structures of this era in the country. Take a stroll through the romantic monastery garden and admire the magnificent interior design of the church filled with numerous works of art. Krzysztof Zygmunt Pac, a member of a noble family, commissioned the church in memory of his deceased only son for the strict Camaldolese order that he brought to Lithuania. Exclusive architectural solutions were used here for the first time in the country: a hexagonal shape and a vaulted façade. Although the monastery has a turbulent history—wars, fires, and spiritual practices (the entombment of monks for pious devotion in special hermitages)—it immerses you in a serene atmosphere. The founder aptly named this beautiful area the Hill of Peace (Mons Pacis).
The 4-star hotel Monte Pacis, housed in the former pilgrim house, with an elegant restaurant invites you to take a break. The monastery also offers something for music lovers. The International Music Festival, launched in 1996, takes place every summer for three months. The festival has grown into a prominent musical event on the Lithuanian cultural scene, featuring performances in various special venues in Kaunas (St. Peter and Paul Cathedral, Kaunas Castle, and Raudondvaris), Siauliai (Hill of Crosses), Plunge (Mykolas Oginskis Palace), and other cities. Enjoy classical music of various genres and styles, premieres of contemporary music, and jazz. Discover new horizons of the musical world with the help of Lithuanian and foreign orchestras, choirs, renowned composers, and soloists.
Rumsiskes
Only 26 km from Kaunas, between the Kaunas Sea and the Vilnius-Kaunas highway, lies the small town of Rumsiskes. Today's Rumšiškės was founded in 1956. It is a newly built town, with only the wooden Church of St. Michael the Archangel remaining as a monument (built in 1860 and relocated in 1959 with a bell tower). In the Rumsiskes forest grows the thickest pine tree in the region, a 300-year-old natural monument (30 meters high with a 1.6 m diameter). The town is known for its Ethnographic Open-Air Museum—one of the largest open-air museums in Europe, established in 1966 and now home to over 100 monuments of folk architecture. The hilly terrain covers an area of 195 ha and familiarizes visitors with the traditions and daily life of farmers from Dzūkija, Aukštaitija, Suvalkija, Žemaitija, and Klein Lithuania from the late 18th century to the mid-20th century (more information about the museum: link). Each year, visitors to the open-air museum can experience over 15 different events associated with the annual cycle and Lithuanian customs. Not only does the unique museum and events attract many guests, but also the beautiful surroundings: in 1998, the town was recognized as one of the most beautiful settlements in Lithuania.
Kedainiai
Kedainiai is centrally located in Lithuania, on the Via Baltica between Kaunas and Panevėžys, on the banks of the Nevezis River. Although Kedainiai is considered one of the oldest urban settlements in Lithuania (first mentioned in the Livonian Chronicle in 1372), it features a well-preserved old town with buildings from the 15th to 17th centuries. The town also played a significant role for the Hanseatic League, given its convenient location between Riga (Reval) and Prussia. Several castles and manors of the Lithuanian nobility are used as public buildings in the town. Notable sights include the town hall with a lovely courtyard, the Protestant church, and the modest crypt (the only reconstructed mausoleum of Lithuanian nobility in the country, where Jonas Radvila, a prince and Grand Hetman of Lithuania, and other members of the Radvila family are buried), a dark wooden Carmelite church, and a beautiful pedestrian street lined with cafes and restaurants. The train station building dates from the 19th century. Near the station stands one of the few minarets in Lithuania, built in 1882 by the German-Baltic general Eduard von Totleben. The town is often referred to as the "Cucumber Town," as the first cucumber festival was celebrated here in 1997. Since then, it has taken place every summer on the second Saturday in July. The city of Kedainiai and the surrounding villages present themselves in decorated wooden booths, entertaining guests with music and games. Guests are actively involved and have the opportunity to sample various cucumber dishes. In short, the town is a surprise—one that you might visit by chance without much expectation, but that has much to offer.
Image credits: ©KaunasIN_LithuaniaTravel, ©A.Aleksandravicius_LithuaniaTravel
Text: ©UAB "BaltTours", 2020
