Kaunas , the second largest city of the country, has settled in Central Lithuania on the confluence of the two biggest rivers of Lithuania, The Nemunas and The Neris. Lithuania‘s noblemen used to hunt aurochs there, therefore the city emblem depicts this noble animal. The name of Kaunas, was for the first time mentioned by chroniclers back in the 12th century even though people had lived there much earlier, i.e. since the 3rd – 4th centuries.
The Lithuanian Grand Duke Vytautas loved and fostered the city: he built several churches, initiated the construction of the castle and granted the Magdeburg rights to the city in 1408.
In the Middle Ages, the city was flowering, craftsmen and merchants were establishing their guilds, the main waterways and land roads were crossing it, therefore trade was buoyant there.
Thanks to its geographical location and the confluence of two rapid rivers, Kaunas has been the Mecca of merchants and trade for years.
In subsequent ages the city was devastated by both people and elemental forces. The city started prospering only in 1920 – 1939 when, during the capture of Vilnius by Poland, it became a provisional capital. Over that period Kaunas had greatly expanded, it‘s population had grown, industry started booming, a water supply system was installed, buses were launched and a number of new buildings were constructed, including President‘s office, The Bank of Lithuania, Vytautas the Great Was Museum as well as funiculars being the only ones in Lithuania. The construction of Christ‘s Resurrection Church was started then as well.
Kaunas Town Hall, the heart of the city, is a building integrating Gothic, Baroque and classicism, whose construction was started in 1542.
Presently, it serves as a wedding palace, and its basement houses the Museum of Ceramics.
The main city‘s events and concerts are held in Rotušės square.
The main street of the old town, Vilnius street, joins Laisvės avenue and forms an integral pedestrian area 1.7 km long, being the longest in Eastern Europe. A number of city festivals and other events are held in Laisvės avenue. Laisvės (liberty) avenue is the main street of the city where life is buoyant all 24 hours a day. The most important theatres and the municipality of the city along with multiple offices, bars and restaurants have settled there.
Aleksotas Hill, which may be accessed using a funicular, overlooks as impressive panorama of the Old Town of Kaunas.
The Museum of History of the Lithuanian Medicine and Pharmacy displays a Lithuanian city pharmacy and physicians offices of the 19th century, and it‘s exposition of pharmacy is deemed to be one of the best in Europe.
The ensemble of Pažaislis Church and Convent, also called the pearl of Kaunas (17th century) , is one of the most beautiful architectural masterpieces of the mature baroque in North – eastern Europe.
The ensemble consists of the Holy Mary‘s Visit to Elizabeth Church and St. Casimir Sisters‘ Convent.
The interior of the church with 140 survived frescoes bears special value. The main theme of the church interior – the apotheosis of the Holy Mary, and monograms of the Holy Mary can be seen on the gates of the Convert as well. The Church is also famous for the miraculous picture of the Mother of the God of Camaldolesian monks.
Presently, Kaunas is a modern, growing city, boasting 30 museums, the zoo, a number of parks and Kaunas Man- Made Sea.
Vytautas the Great War Museum contains archeological finds, weapons, firearms, objects and documents relating to the transatlantic flight of the Lituanica having taken off from the airport in New York on July 15 1933 and having crossed the Atlantic ocean the Lituanica pilots S. Darius and S. Girėnas died on July 17th in Germany. This is the second result in the world having in mind the distance of the flight.
The National M.K.Čiurlionis Art Museum, in Art Deco Style, displays the works of M.K.Čiurlionis, the most notable lithuanian artist and composer of the early 20th century. A visitors of the Museum are offered not only to admire M.K.Čiurlionis paintings, but also to listen to his musical compositions.
The collection of A.Žmuidzinavičius works and collections (Devils Museum) is the only world‘s museum of devils, displaying over 3000 works depicting devils.
Both tourists and Kaunas residents willingly visit Lithuanian Open – Air Folk Museum. The most important National festivals are celebrated and craftsmen are working there. Lithuanian Open – Air Folk Museum is like a small Lithuania. The Museum‘s exposition consists of dwelling houses and house hold premises transferred there from various ethnic regions of Lithuania.
Kaunas Jazz Festival is among the largest festivals of Kaunas, the international center of attraction of this genre styles, uniting jazz fans.
Pažaislis Music Festival lasts for three months. Classical music concerts are held not only inside Pažaislis Church, but in a number of other places within the city.
Kaunas is framed not only for it‘s history and city‘s notabilities but also for basketball. Kaunas is the Lithuanian capital of basketball. Žalgiris basketball team has made the name of Kaunas known all over the world.
If you wish to know true Lithuania, visit Kaunas since it is penetrated with the true Lithuanian spirit, where a pure Lithuanian language is spoken and a great is taken in the true Lithuanian nature.
In different historical periods Kaunas was visited by a great number of prominent figures: Napoleon, Chiune Sugihara, Pope John Paul II, The Queen Of Denmark Sophia.