Lithuania > Kaunas

Kaunas

Kaunas was first mentioned in chronicles in 1361, and in 1408 the city was granted Magdeburg rights. Since then, Kaunas started developing faster, expanding trade with West European countries. At the end of the 16“’ century, Kaunas was one of the greatest cities in the Grand Duchy of Lithuania. The 17“-18'f centuries were not favourable for the city. Kaunas experienced historical ups and downs; however, it overcame all hardships and developed further successfully. In 1920, when Vilnius was occupied by the Polish Army, Kaunas became the most important Lithuanian city - the Provisional Capital. In the same year, the Constituent Parliament (Steigiamasis Seimas) gathered in Kaunas, starting a new stage of the restored State. In 1939, Vilnius was given back to Lithuania, and Kaunas became the second largest city of the country.

At present, Kaunas is an industrial centre, a city of culture, museums and students. Patriotic and creative people lives in Kaunas. The most beautiful ideas and initiatives originate in Kaunas, and later get spread throughout the country. Only in Kaunas you can see the paintings of the genial painter and composer M. K. Ciurlionis, only here is the Eternal Flame burning for the Unknown Warrior, only in Kaunas youcan visit the Freedom Monument, LAISVE, (sculptor J. Zikaras). Only in Kaunas (and nowhere else in the world) is there the Knygnesiq sienele (Plaque to Book Smugglers and Distributors) at Vytautas Magnus Military Museum. During the press prohibition period (1864 - 1904), those people smuggled Lithuanian books to Lithuania, putting their own lives at risk. During that period, secret schools were organized in Lithuania, where the Lithuanian language was taught.

Today Kaunas is also a most patriotic city. Kaunas citizens are very friendly and tolerant to other nationalities. At present, Kaunas maintains friendly contacts, or is twinned, with 25 cities of European countries. Their representatives and ambassadors are frequent guests of Kaunas, and Kaunas citizens visit those cities. There are a lot of architectural monuments and churches in Kaunas.

The central street of Kaunas, Laisves Avenue, is the first pedestrian street in Lithuania. Numerous parks make Kaunas a green city; it is situated on the two largest Lithuanian rivers - the Nemunas and the Neris, with Kaunas Castle built at their confluence.

Come to Kaunas.

Tips by Kaunas Police:

Kaunas is a hospitable city, gladly visited by tourists from foreign countries; however, it is important to remember preventive measures, both at home and while travelling, namely:

• Watch your things: personal documents, wallet, mobile phone, photo and video cameras. Do not leave them unattended even for a short period.
• Park your car only in parking zones. Always lock it and turn the alarm system on. Do not forget to close the windows. Do not leave your documents, money and other valuables in your car.
• Do not leave your things unattended at restaurants, cafes or clubs even for a short period.
• During a casual meeting with a stranger, be careful while communicating, do not rush to trust the first person you have met.
• It is safest to call a taxi by phone. You can ask for a taxi at the hotel reception you are staying at.
• In case you need the police, medical aid or firemen's help, immediately call the emergency number 112.
• In case of any misunderstanding, if there is no police officer speaking the language you can understand, an interpreter will be found for you, but it may take a while.

Kaunas City General Police Department

Vytauto pr. 91, tel. +370 37 223 726.

Emblem of Kaunas city

The city was the Provisional Capital of Lithuania in 1920-1940. It is an important center of science, culture, industry and entertainment, as well as a major road junction in Lithuania.

In the cozy Old Town of Kaunas there are many significant architectural and historical monuments, the oldest of which, the remains of Kaunas Castle built in the 14th c., mark the first city center near the confluence of the Nemunas and the Neris.

From the Town Hall square it is easy to reach the presentday city center by taking pedestrian Vilnius Street, which leads to the main street - Laisves Aleja, also meant for pedestrians. Population and trainings

The total trainings of the city covers 15,700 hectares. On June 1,2010, Kaunas had a population of 348,624.

Culture

Kaunas is an important cultural center, boasting of its museums: it has about 40 museums and their branches. There are also 26 libraries, 7 professional and 10 amateur theaters, 20 folklore groups, different other art groups and sports clubs in Kaunas. The number of students in Kaunas is over 35,000. Citizens and city guests are especially fond of the International Pazaislis Music Festival, which extends over the three summer months, hosting participants from the world’s music elite. Jazz lovers meet at “Kaunas Jazz” festival. Carillon music concerts take place at the Military Museum. The international festival “Operetta at Kaunas Castle” attracts fans of operettas and musicals, while those who are fond of dance attend the international festival of modern dance, organized by “Aura” modern dance group.

One of the best-known cultural festivals in Kaunas is the city’s birthday celebrated in May.

Sports

Kaunas is known as a sports-loving city. This is the only city of Lithuania that has a higher educational institution for training sports specialists. Kaunas has very deep-rooted traditions of basketball. The brightest example is the basketball club “Zalgiris” established in 1944. From the very beginning “Zalgiris” became one of the strongest teams in the Soviet Union championships. Today „Zalgiris” is among the best basketball teams in Europe.

Transport

Kaunas Bus Station is in the centre, not far from Laisves Avenue. It is the oldest bus station in Lithuania. Here, Kautra company offers local, intercity and international services for passengers. It also rents buses for trips in Lithuania and abroad. The International Bus Ticket Agency and the Terminal of Small Shipments operate at the station. Kautra is a member of the International Europe Carriers’ Association “Eurolines”.

Kaunas Railway Station is near the bus station, in the very centre of the city. Lietuvos gelezinkeliai trains carry passengers and cargo across Lithuania and to Russia, Belarus, Poland and Latvia. Dozens of trains leave Kaunas every day for Vilnius, Marijampole, Kybartai, Siauliai, and other destinations. Kaunas is the centre of water transport in Lithuania and has passenger and cargo ports and harbours, a ship repair zone, and administrative and organisational premises.

Kaunas airport express

Transport company ,,Ollex“ conducts regular journeys from International Kaunas airport to Vilnius (hotel „Panorama”) and to Klaipeda (supermarket „Akropolis”) and come back. The timetable are created by flight timetable. It is safe, comfortable and fast transport to Vilnius and Klaipeda.

“ShuttleBUS LT Kaunas”

Special route from International Kaunas airport to chosen city hotel, Bus station, „Urmas" and come back to the airport. The timetable are created by flight timetable. It is very fast, comfortable and safe transport to chosen city hotel or airport.

History

The settlement which later developed into Kaunas was first mentioned by chroniclers in 1361. To protect the city against Crusaders’attacks, a stone castle was built in the 14th c., which later became an important part of the city’s defense system.

In 1408, Kaunas was granted Magdeburg rights by Grand Duke Vytautas. Since then Kaunas started developing rapidly, and its importance as a port and a trading centre with Western Europe was growing. The economy of Kaunas improved at the end of the 18th c., but at the outbreak of the 1812 war, Napoleon’s army crossed the Nemunas in Kaunas.

In 1862, a railroad connecting the Russian Empire with Germany was constructed, in 1898 the first power-station started generating electricity, and these achievements contributed to the development of the city’s industry and trade. However, further progress of Kaunas was blocked by World War 1.

In 1919, after Russians occupied Vilnius, the State Council, the Minister Cabinet and other state institutions settled in Kaunas. When Vilnius was taken by Poland in 1920, Kaunas became the Provisional Capital of Lithuania. In 1920, the Constituent Assembly, which laid the legal foundations for the re-established state, met in Kaunas. During the years of independence, Kaunas expanded significantly, its population increased, and its industry flourished. In 1924, city buses started running, and in 1928 the city water-supply system was installed. However, this period of prosperity was suspended by the Soviet occupation, which caused the greatest damage to the city.

In 1991, after Lithuania’s independence was restored, Kaunas faced new possibilities of development and collaboration with foreign countries. Today Kaunas is the second biggest city in Lithuania and the county centre .