Kaunas is a city with a rich history, impressive nature, many architectural and cultural monuments. Occupying a strategically important position, it has seen a lot in its lifetime, was repeatedly destroyed. But, nevertheless, many of its ancient buildings have survived to this day. The architecture is represented here in different styles. In Kaunas Castle and Perkunas' house, Gothic is noticeable, in the buildings of the Town Hall and Pazaislis Monastery - Baroque, in the Church of Michael the Archangel there is a neo-Byzantine style, Soviet buildings are characterized by neoclassicism.
The city is considered the cultural capital of Lithuania. There are 4 theaters, about 40 museums and galleries. Festivals, music, theater and sports events are held regularly. And also Kaunas is the birthplace of the basketball club “Zalgiris”, one of the strongest in Europe.
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What to see and where to go in Kaunas?
The most interesting and beautiful places for walking. Photos and a short description.
Kaunas castle
An ancient defensive fortress, the only such structure in Lithuania. It was built in the XIII century to repel the attacks of the Teutonic knights and was of great strategic importance. Built at the confluence of two rivers. It was destroyed several times and rebuilt again. Only a third of the castle with 2 towers has survived to this day. There is a museum on the history of the city and the fortress, as well as exhibitions of painting and sculpture. Santakos Park is located nearby.
Laisves Alley
This is the most popular pedestrian street in Kaunas. Translated from Lithuanian - Freedom Alley. Founded in the 19th century. Length - 1.7 km, width - 24-27 meters. There are no vehicles here and smoking is prohibited. Rows of trees are planted along the alley, flower beds are laid out, and there are many benches for rest. There is a wide range of shops, restaurants, theaters, hotels, museums, nightclubs. There are many monuments and old buildings of historical value.
IX fort
The Kovno defensive fortress around the city was built at the end of the 19th century and consisted of 8 forts. The last, ninth, was built on the eve of the First World War. In Soviet times, it was used as a prison. And during the Nazi occupation, the fort turned into a concentration camp, where Jews and Poles were massacred. Today, a museum of genocide and massacres has been created here, as well as a large memorial in memory of the thousands of victims of the Nazis.
Town hall
It rises in the very heart of the historical part of the city - on the Town Hall Square. It was built in the 16th century, was often rebuilt, therefore it combines elements of different styles. The town hall housed a prison, trade warehouses, an Orthodox church, a royal residence, a fire station, a theater, a city archive, and an institute. The last reconstruction was carried out in 2005. Today there is a city museum dedicated to the history of Kaunas and an observation deck.
Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul
Architectural monument. One of the largest Catholic churches in Lithuania. It began to be built in the 15th century in the Gothic style. 2 centuries later, a building appeared in the form of a rectangular basilica, another 100 years later, a 55-meter bell tower was completed, and in the 19th century - a chapel. The interior decoration in the Baroque style has been preserved since the 18th century. 9 altars are of great artistic value. The temple is famous for the ancient image of the Suffering Mother of God, giving healing.
Church of St. Francis Xavier
The white-stone building in the Baroque style was erected in the 17th-18th centuries. Belongs to the Jesuit Church. It is located in the central square, near the Town Hall. It has two tall bell towers. There is an observation deck on the roof. Repeatedly the church was passed from hand to hand - first to the Franciscans, then to the Orthodox Church, the gymnasium. In Soviet times, it housed a gym with a sauna. Was returned to believers and re-consecrated in 1992.
Church of St. Michael the Archangel
The grandiose white-stone cathedral was built at the end of the 19th century by order of Alexander II. Intended for the Russian garrison. The height of the building is 50 meters, one of the 5 domes has a diameter of 16 meters and is considered the largest in Lithuania. The temple was built in the neo-Byzantine style and can accommodate up to 2000 people. Decorated with a large number of columns, sculptures, stucco and gilding. In Soviet times, it was given over to a museum. Since 1990 it has been owned by the Catholic Church.
Vitovt's Church
It was erected in 1400 by order of Prince Vytautas the Great for Franciscan monks. It has a high bell tower. Built of fine red bricks in the Hanseatic Gothic style. All geometric patterns and decorative elements on the facade are of an exceptionally regular shape, which is typical for this style. The interior decoration has not survived. Everything that is contained in the temple was made in the 20th century. The church is active, accessible for inspection, but not during services.
Church of St. Gertrude
A compact Gothic building in one of the corners of the Old Town. Architectural monument. One of the oldest brick churches in Lithuania. It was erected in the 15th century, later the bell tower was completed. The most valuable shrine is the cross with the crucifixion of Christ, who is credited with miraculous power. In Soviet times, warehouses were located within the walls of the church. In the 80s they wanted to completely demolish it, but the public got in the way. Now the temple has been restored, services are held in it.
Church of the Resurrection of Christ
Built in the 30s of the last century. It is a majestic stylish structure of white stone 70 meters high. Accommodates up to 5000 people. In Soviet times, it was turned into a workshop of a radio factory, where televisions were produced. It currently belongs to the Catholic Church, and services are held. There is an observation deck on the roof of the church, one of the best in the city. The temple is located on the aliakalnis hill, which can be reached by funicular.
Pazaislis monastery
One of the most beautiful baroque monasteries in Europe. It was founded in 1667 and was intended for the Camaldoli monks. Built by Italian craftsmen. The main pearl of the complex is a magnificent church with two symmetrical towers and an imposing central dome. Inside, the temple is lavishly decorated with paintings, frescoes, bas-reliefs, stucco, marble wall decoration. Currently, the monastery is active, for women, and is open to tourists.
Kaunas State Drama Theater
The first professional drama theater in Lithuania. It was created in 1920. It is located in a building built in 1928 on the famous Laisves avenue. After extensive reconstruction, it is one of the most modern theaters in the Baltic region. His current repertoire consists of 30 successful productions, including for children and young people. Some performances use audio visualization for visually impaired people, as well as simultaneous translation.
Kaunas State Musical Theater
Year of creation - 1940. It is located in the building of the city theater, built at the end of the 19th century. The best theater directors of Lithuania and other European countries stage musical performances here. Each season the theater delights its audience with at least two premieres. Its contemporary repertoire consists of operas, operettas, musicals, ballets and performances for children. The theater's symphony orchestra annually holds an instrumental concert with the participation of famous performers.
Čiurlionis Museum
It opened in 1921. The name of the talented artist and composer Mikalojus Čiurlionis was given in 1944.The museum contains his paintings, manuscripts, letters and personal belongings; recordings of the most famous pieces of music are available for listening. There are also collections of Lithuanian paintings of the past centuries, wooden sculptures, numismatics, and folk art objects. The funds of the museum now number about 330 thousand exhibits.
Devils Museum
It was opened in 1966 thanks to the artist A. muidzinavičius, who collected statuettes and masks of various evil spirits for 60 years. A museum was organized in the artist's house after his death. There are figurines of devils from different materials - ceramics, leather, metal, wood. And also a lot of things in the form of devils - mugs, pipes, candlesticks, ashtrays, etc. The unusual collection consists of 3000 exhibits brought from 23 countries of the world, and continues to grow.
Vytautas the Great War Museum
The military history of Lithuania, starting from ancient times, is presented in the expositions of this museum. It was founded in 1919. There are about 200 thousand exhibits in its funds. Samples of military equipment, cold arms and firearms, ammunition and all kinds of military paraphernalia, archaeological finds, paintings, books and documents testify to the past hostilities. The memorial exposition of the museum in the black marble hall is dedicated to all those who died for the independence of Lithuania.
M. Zhilinskas Art Gallery
One of the best art museums in the country. It bears the name of the Lithuanian art collector Mykolas Zhilinskas. Located in a modern building purpose-built for the gallery in 1989. There are unique examples of ancient Egyptian art, works of Dutch, German and Italian painters, as well as Baltic authors, magnificent collections of porcelain and old tapestries. An exhibition for blind people was organized.
Museum of the History of Lithuanian Medicine and Pharmacy
It was created in 1936. Located on the Town Hall Square, in an old 16th century mansion. The museum contains over 17 thousand exhibits. Among them are old pharmaceutical utensils, bottles for medicines, scales, medical instruments, books, personal belongings of doctors and pharmacists, furniture and equipment for medical offices, and much more. Of interest is the reconstruction of a 19th century Lithuanian pharmacy. It is advisable to explore the museum with a guide.
Lithuanian Folk Life Museum
A complex of old houses and outbuildings in a picturesque place of Rumsiskes, 18 km from Kaunas. The largest ethnographic museum in Europe. Opened to visitors in 1974. On an area of 175 hectares, the life of a traditional Lithuanian village of past centuries has been recreated. Visitors have the opportunity to see the interior decoration of residential buildings, get acquainted with folk crafts, ride a carriage, taste national cuisine, and purchase Lithuanian souvenirs.
Lithuanian Aviation Museum
Created in 1990 on the territory of the oldest airfield in Lithuania. The exposition includes about 40 pieces of equipment: gliders, airplanes, helicopters. The exhibits include models of aircraft, engines, pilots' uniforms, personal belongings of famous pilots, aviation signs from many countries, photographs and documents. Visitors have the opportunity to try out a real flight simulator. The pride of the museum is the rare ANBO-I aircraft, created in a single copy.
Sugihara House Museum
During the war years, Japanese diplomat Chiune Sugihara helped escaped prisoners of Nazi camps to leave the country by issuing rescue transit visas. Thus, he saved the lives of more than 6,000 Jews, for which he received the title of Righteous Among the Nations. The museum dedicated to him is located in the building of the former Japanese consulate. Opened in 2001. The consul's office, living room, library are recreated here, numerous photo and video documents are presented.
House of Perkunas
A powerful building in the late "fiery" Gothic style was erected in the 15th century by Hanseatic traders and served as their office-warehouse. Its name is associated with the pagan god of thunder, whose statuette was found in a brick wall in the 19th century. The house has been reconstructed several times, but the facade has remained unchanged. The building currently belongs to the Jesuit Order. There is a gymnasium, a museum of the poet Adam Mitskevich, a hall for exhibitions and concerts.
Historic presidential palace
The two-story neo-baroque mansion was built in 1846. Later, a small garden was laid out around it. Since 1918 it has been the property of the Lithuanian government and the residence of the head of state. Until 1940, when Lithuania became part of the USSR, 3 presidents worked and lived here. There are monuments to them in the garden. Today the building of the palace belongs to the Art Museum. It houses exhibitions dedicated to former presidents and the history of the palace.
Zalgiris Arena
The largest multifunctional indoor arena in the Baltic States. Built in 2011 on the banks of the Neman River. Designed for 15,000 spectators. Home court of the basketball club "Zalgiris" - the most titled of all Lithuanian clubs, multiple winner of the championships of Lithuania and the former USSR, and in 1999 - the winner of the Euroleague. It is used not only for basketball matches, but also for other sports, as well as entertainment events and concerts.
Kaunas Botanical Garden
Year of foundation - 1923. Area - 63 hectares. It is located on the territory of a former estate of the 19th century, where a house, a small fort, statues, ponds with bridges have been preserved. Owned by a local university. The outdoor garden consists of 5 thematic areas: flowers, fruits and berries, local rare plants, medicinal flora, dendrological collection. Heat-loving exotic plants from all over the world are collected in the greenhouses. In total, about 7000 plant species are represented in the botanical garden.
Azuolinas Park
It is located in the picturesque residential area of Zaliakalnis. Area - 84 hectares. The oak grove in the park is the largest in Europe. Some giant oak trees are more than 300 years old. This is all that remains of the large oak forest that surrounded the city, but was cut down in past centuries. Other deciduous trees are also found here. The valley of the Girstupis river flowing through the park is named after the poet Adam Mitskevich. He loved to be here.
Lithuanian Zoo
The only zoo in the country. It is located in the Azuolinas Park. It was founded in 1938. About 3000 animals live on an area of 16 hectares. Among them there are kangaroos and hippos, giraffes and reindeer, monkeys and bison, numerous representatives of felines. The pride of the zoo is llamas, they participate in city parades and events. There is also a poultry house, serpentarium, terrarium and aquarium. On the territory of the park there is a zoo museum, children's attractions, a gift shop.
Kaunas funiculars
On the whole territory of Lithuania, this type of urban transport has survived only in Kaunas. Today, there are two lines, along which colored trailers have been moving for more than 80 years. One of them, the oldest, is laid on the Zaliakalnis hill, the second leads to the top of Aleksotas mountain. In the early 90s, the boarding stations and carriages were thoroughly renovated. During the trip, music sounds in them. Kaunas funiculars have been declared a cultural monument.
Observation deck on Mount Aleksotas
One of the best panoramic sites in Kaunas is located on Aleksotas Hill. From here you can see the rivers Neman and Neris, Town Hall Square, Kaunas Castle, bell towers and spiers of churches, Zaliakalnis Hill. You can get to the observation deck by funicular, which has been operating here since 1935. It connects the peak of Aleksotas with the Old Town. Travel time is about 2 minutes. Those who wish can climb the stairs on foot, for this they will have to overcome 250 steps.
Juniper Valley
It is located on the banks of the Neman River, in the vicinity of the village of Arlaviskes. The thickets of juniper occupy an area of 5 hectares and are recognized as a natural monument.Some of the bushes are over 100 years old and reach 12 meters in height. The hiking trail, laid through the valley, over the cliff, is recognized as the most picturesque sightseeing trail in Lithuania. Its length is more than 1 km. Rare plants, as well as some species of butterflies, are found between the juniper thickets.
