From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Kaunas
—  City municipality  —
Top: Kaunas Castle Middle left: House of Perkūnas, right: Kaunas city hall The 3rd row: Kaunas lagoon Bottom left: Vytautas the Great War Museum, right: Church of Saint Michael the Archangel.
Coat of arms
Nickname(s): Laikinoji sostinė
Location of Kaunas
Coordinates: 54°54′N 23°56′E / 54.9°N 23.933°E / 54.9; 23.933Coordinates: 54°54′N 23°56′E / 54.9°N 23.933°E / 54.9; 23.933
Country	Lithuania
Ethnographic region	Suvalkija
County	Kaunas County
Municipality	Kaunas city municipality
Capital of	Kaunas County Kaunas city municipality Kaunas district municipality
First mentioned	1361
Granted city rights	1408
Boroughs	List Aleksotas Centras Dainava Eiguliai Gričiupis Panemunė Petrašiūnai Šančiai Šilainiai Vilijampolė Žaliakalnis
Area
- Total	157 km2 (60.6 sq mi)
Population (2008)
- Total	355,550
Time zone	EET (UTC+2)
- Summer (DST)	EEST (UTC+3)
Website	kaunas.lt

Kaunas (English pronunciation: /ˈkaʊnəs/, Lithuanian: [kɐˈunɐs]( listen), see also other names, is the second largest city in Lithuania and a former temporary capital. Kaunas is located at the confluence of the two largest Lithuanian rivers, the Nemunas and the Neris, and near the Kaunas Reservoir, the largest body of water entirely in Lithuania.

Contents 1 Etymology and other names 2 Legend 3 Coat of arms 4 History 4.1 Grand Duchy of Lithuania 4.2 Russian Empire 4.3 Inter-war Lithuania 4.4 Soviet period 4.5 The Tragedy of Kaunas' Jews 4.6 Modern times 5 Demography 5.1 Historical population 5.2 Ethnic composition 6 Municipality council 6.1 Mayors 7 Climate 8 Geography 8.1 Administrative divisions 8.2 Neighborhoods 9 Cityscape 9.1 Points of interest 9.2 Museums 9.3 Theatres 9.4 Public art 10 Economy 11 Infrastructure 11.1 Highways 11.2 Public transportation 11.3 Airports 11.4 Bridges 12 Sports 13 Education 14 Annual events 15 Notable residents 16 International relations 16.1 Twin towns — Sister cities 17 Footnotes and references 18 Notes 19 External links

Etymology and other names

The city's name is of Lithuanian origins and most likely derives from a personal name.^[1]

Before Lithuania regained independence, the city was generally known in English as Kovno, the traditional Slavicized form of its name; the Polish name is Kowno; the Belarusian name is Koўнa. An earlier Russian name was Ковно, although Каунас has been used since 1940. The Yiddish name is Kovne (קאָװנע), while its names in German include Kaunas and Kauen. The city and its elderates also have names in other languages (see Names of Kaunas in other languages and names of Kaunas elderates in other languages).

Legend

One of the legends tells us, that Kaunas was established by Romans in ancient times. The head of this Romans group was the patrician Palemon, who had three sons: Barcus, Kunas and Sperus. Palemon went away from Rome, because he feared emperor Neron. So, he with his sons and other relatives came to Lithuania. After his death three sons shared out all Lithuania's lands. Kunas got lands, which now is standing city of Kaunas. Kunas build a castle near confluence of Nemunas ir Neris rivers and city was call - Kaunas from his name.

Coat of arms

In June 30, 1993 the historical coat of arms of Kaunas city was established by a special presidential decree. The coat of arms features a white aurochs with a golden cross between his horns, set against a deep red background. The aurochs is the original heraldic symbol of the city since 1400. The current emblem was the result of much study and discussion on the part of the Lithuanian Heraldry Commission, and realized by the artist Raimondas Miknevičius. An aurochs has replaced a wisent, depicted in the Soviet era emblem, used since 1969.

History

Grand Duchy of Lithuania

On the site of the current Kaunas old town at the confluence of two large rivers, a settlement had been established by the tenth century AD. It is believed that the town was founded in 1030, but it is first mentioned in written sources in 1361. In the thirteenth century, a stone wall was built as protection from constant raids by the Teutonic Knights. In 1362, the town was captured by the Teutonic Knights, who destroyed the Kaunas Castle. The castle was rebuilt at the beginning of the 15th century.

In 1408 the town was granted Magdeburg Rights by Vytautas the Great and became a center of Kaunas Powiat in Trakai Voivodeship in 1413. Kaunas then began to gain prominence, since it was at an intersection of trade routes and a river port. In 1441 Kaunas joined the Hanseatic League, and Hansa merchant offices were opened. By the 16th century, Kaunas had a public school and a hospital and was one of the best-formed towns in the Grand Duchy of Lithuania.

In 1665, the Russian army attacked the city several times, and in 1701 the city was occupied by the Swedish army. The Black Death struck the area in 1657 and 1708, and fires destroyed parts of the city in 1731 and 1732.

Russian Empire

After the final partition of the Polish-Lithuanian state in 1795, the city was taken over by the Russian Empire and became a part of Vilna Governorate. During the French invasion of Russia in 1812, the Grand Army of Napoleon passed through Kaunas twice, devastating the city both times.

After the Partitions, Kaunas was one of the centres of the November Uprising (1830–1831) and the January Uprising (1863–1864). To suppress the local population, the Russian authorities subsequently placed a huge military garrison in the town. The Russian military fortifications from that time still survive throughout the town.

Kovno Governorate with a center in Kovno (Kaunas) was formed in 1843. In 1862 a railway connecting the Russian Empire and Germany was constructed, making Kaunas a significant railway hub with one of the first railway tunnels in the Empire, completed in 1861. In 1898 the first power plant started operating.

Up to the Second World War, like many other cities in Europe, Kaunas had a significant Jewish population: according to Russian census of 1897, out of the total population of 70,900, Jews constituted 25,500 (so around 36% percent).^[2]

Inter-war Lithuania

After Vilnius was occupied by the Russian Bolsheviks in 1919, the government of the Republic of Lithuania established its main base here. Later, when capital Vilnius was annexed to Poland, Kaunas became the Temporary capital of Lithuania, a position it held until October 28, 1939, when the Red Army handed Vilnius to Lithuania.

Between the World Wars industry prospered in Kaunas; it was at the time the largest city in Lithuania. Under direction of the mayor Jonas Vileišis (1921–1931) Kaunas grew rapidly and was extensively modernised. A water and wastewater system, costing over 15 million Lithuanian litas, was put in place; the city expanded from 18 square kilometers to 40; more than 2,500 buildings were built, including three modern bridges over the Neris and Nemunas rivers. All the city streets were paved, horse-drawn transportation was replaced with modern bus lines, new suburbs were planned and built (Žaliakalnis neighborhood in particular), new parks and squares were established. The foundations for a social security system were laid, three new schools were built, and new public libraries, including the Vincas Kudirka library, were established. Vileišis maintained many contacts in other European cities, and as a result Kaunas was an active participant in European urban life.

During the inter-war period Kaunas had a Jewish population of 35,000-40,000, about one-fourth of the city's total population.^[3] Jews were concentrated in the city's commercial, artisan, and professional sectors. Kaunas was also a center of Jewish learning. The yeshiva in Slobodka (Vilijampolė) was one of Europe's most prestigious institutions of higher Jewish learning. Kaunas had a rich and varied Jewish culture. The city had almost 100 Jewish organizations, 40 synagogues, many Yiddish schools, 4 Hebrew high schools, a Jewish hospital, and scores of Jewish-owned businesses. It was also an important Zionist center.

Soviet period

In 1940 Kaunas was annexed by the Soviet Union as part of the Lithuanian SSR. 14 June 1941 marked the beginning of mass arrests, executions and deportations of citizens to Siberia and other parts of Russia. After the outbreak of German invasion into USSR on 23 June an uprising began in Kaunas and short-lived period of independence was proclaimed in Kaunas on June 23, 1941.

The Tragedy of Kaunas' Jews

Jewish life in Kaunas was first disrupted when the Soviet Union occupied Lithuania in June 1940. The occupation was accompanied by arrests, confiscations, and the elimination of all free institutions. Jewish community organizations disappeared almost overnight. Soviet authorities confiscated the property of many Jews while hundreds were exiled to Siberia. Meanwhile, the Lithuanian Activist Front, founded by Lithuanian nationalist émigrés in Berlin, disseminated anti-semitic literature in Lithuania.^[3] Among other themes, the literature blamed Jews for the Soviet occupation.

Following Germany's invasion of the Soviet Union on June 22, 1941, Soviet forces fled Kaunas. Immediately before and following the German occupation of the city on June 25, the anti-Communist German organized insurgents began to attack Jews, blaming them for Soviet repressions, especially along Jurbarko and Kriščiukaičio streets.^[3] They murdered over three thousand eight hundred Jews and took hundreds more Jews to the Lietūkis garage, in the city center, and killed them there.

The Nazis eventually established the Kaunas Ghetto, which by the end of the war would be nearly completely liquidated.^[3]

Modern times

After World War II Kaunas became the main industrial city of Lithuania – it produced about a quarter of Lithuania's industrial output.

After the proclamation of Lithuanian independence in 1991, Soviet attempts to suppress the rebellion focused on the Sitkūnai Radio Station.^[4] They were defended by the citizenry of Kaunas.^[5]

Demography

Historical population

Year	Inhabitants
1796	8,500
1813	3,000
1825	5,000
1840	8,500
1860	23,300
1897	71,000
1923	92,000
1940	154,000
1959	214,000
1966	275,000
1989	418,087
2001	378,943
2004	366,652
2005	361,274

Ethnic composition

1897 Russian census revealed the following ethnic composition in the city (by mother tongue, out of 70,920):^[6]

1. Jews 25,052 - 35%
2. Russians 18,308 - 26%
3. Poles 16,112 - 23%
4. Lithuanians 4,092 - 6%
5. Germans 3,340 - 4.5%
6. Tatar 1,084 - 1.5%
7. Other 2932 - 4%

Today, with almost 93 percent of its citizens being ethnic Lithuanians, Kaunas is one of the most Lithuanian cities in the country. Kaunas has a higher proportion of ethnic Lithuanians than Vilnius, and more ethnic Lithuanians than Riga has ethnic Latvians or Tallinn has ethnic Estonians.

Ethnic composition in 2001, out of a total of 378,943:^[7]

1. Lithuanians 352,051
2. Russians 16,622
3. Ukrainians 1,906
4. Poles 1,600
5. Other 6,764

Municipality council

Kaunas city municipality council is the governing body of the Kaunas city municipality. It is responsible for municipality laws. The council is composed of 41 member elected for four-year terms.

The council is the member of The Association of Local Authorities in Lithuania.

Mayors

• 1921-1931 - Jonas Vileišis
• 1931 - Juozas Vokietaitis
• 1932–1933 - Antanas Gravrogkas
• 1933–1939 - Antanas Merkys
• 1940 - Antanas Garmus
• 1990–1991 – Vidmantas Adomonis
• 1991–1992 – Vilimas Čiurinskas
• 1992–1995 – Arimantas Račkauskas
• 1995 – Rimantas Tumosa
• 1995–1997 – Vladas Katkevičius
• 1997 – Alfonsas Andriuškevičius
• 1997–2000 – Henrikas Tamulis
• 2000 – Vytautas Šustauskas
• 2000 – Gediminas Budnikas
• 2001–2002 – Erikas Tamašauskas
• 2002–2003 – Giedrius Donatas Ašmys
• 2003–2007 – Arvydas Garbaravičius
• since 2007 – Andrius Kupčinskas

Climate

Climate data for Kaunas

Month	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec	Year
Average high °C (°F)	-2.6 (27)	-1.4 (29)	3.5 (38)	10.7 (51)	17.9 (64)	21 (70)	22.2 (72)	21.9 (71)	16.7 (62)	10.8 (51)	4.4 (40)	0 (32)	10.4 (51)
Average low °C (°F)	-8.5 (17)	-7.6 (18)	-3.6 (26)	1.8 (35)	7.4 (45)	10.9 (52)	12.4 (54)	11.8 (53)	8.1 (47)	4 (39)	-0.5 (31)	-4.9 (23)	2.6 (37)
Precipitation mm (inches)	39 (1.54)	31 (1.22)	35 (1.38)	42 (1.65)	55 (2.17)	69 (2.72)	80 (3.15)	78 (3.07)	56 (2.2)	45 (1.77)	53 (2.09)	47 (1.85)	630 (24.8)
Avg. precipitation days	18	14	14	13	13	13	14	13	15	15	17	19	178
Source: World Weather Information Service [8] 01.12.2008

Geography

The city covers 15,700 hectares. Parks, groves, gardens, nature reserves, and agricultural areas occupy 8,329 hectares.^[9]

Administrative divisions

Kaunas is divided into 11 elderates:

Aleksotas Centras Dainava (Kaunas) Eiguliai Gričiupis Panemunė

Petrašiūnai Šančiai Šilainiai Vilijampolė Žaliakalnis

Neighborhoods

Cityscape

Points of interest

Central Kaunas is defined by two pedestrian streets: the 2-km-long Laisvės alėja (Liberty Avenue), a central street of the city, lined by linden trees, and its continuation, Vilnius Street, leading to the oldest part - Old Town of Kaunas. Some of the most prominent features in Kaunas include:

• the Kaunas Castle, a 14th century fortification;
• the Vytautas' Church, one of the oldest churches in Lithuania and the oldest in Kaunas;
• the Kaunas Cathedral Basilica, the largest Gothic building in Lithuania, with a late Baroque interior;
• the St. George's Church, which was rumoured to have been turned into a dance studio during the Soviet Occupation;
• the Pažaislis abbey, an impressive complex in Baroque style;
• the massive Neo-Byzantine church of St. Michael the Archangel;
• the Christ’s Resurrection Church with an unfolding panoramic view of the city;
• Kaunas Zoo, the only state-operated zoo in Lithuania;
• Kaunas Fortress, one of the largest defensive structures in Europe, occupying 65 km2 (25 sq mi), a 19-20th century military fortress, which includes a Holocaust site of the Ninth Fort;
• Kaunas Botanical Garden;
• Napoleon's Hill;
• House of Perkūnas;
• Kaunas Town Hall and the square;
• Interbellum functionalism architecture complexes;
• The Žaliakalnis Funicular Railway and the Aleksotas Funicular Railway;
• Ąžuolynas Park and the valley of Girstupis River named after Adam Mickiewicz.

Museums

Kaunas is often called a city of museums, because of the abundance and variety of them. The museums in Kaunas include:

• the War Museum of Vytautas the Great;
• the M. K. Čiurlionis National Art Museum, commemorating the work of the early 20th century avant-garde artist who sought to combine painting and music into a single artistic medium;
• a gallery of works collected by Mykolas Žilinskas at the Kaunas Art Gallery;
• the Žmuidzinavičius Museum (best known as the Devils' Museum), which houses a collection of more than two thousand sculptures and carvings of devils from all over the world, most of them of folk provenance. Of particular interest are the Hitler and Stalin devils, together doing the dance of death over a playground littered with human bones;

• Aviation Museum;
• Ceramics Museum in the Town Hall of Kaunas;
• Communications History Museum;
• Kaunas Picture Gallery, with a little exhibition about George Maciunas, founding member of the Fluxus-movement, born in Kaunas;
• Lithuanian Sports Museum;
• Museum of the History of Lithuanian Medicine and Pharmacy;
• Historical Presidential Palace, displaying exhibits from the interwar period
• Kaunas Museum for the Blind;
• Museum of Exiles and Political Prisoners;
• Povilas Stulga Museum of Lithuanian Folk Instruments;
• Tadas Ivanauskas Zoological Museum;
• Sugihara house-museum;
• Museum of Gemology;

Theatres

Kaunas is notable for the diverse culture life. Kaunas Symphony Orchestra is the main venue for classical music concerts. Kaunas theatres has played an important role in Lithuanian society. There are at least 7 professionlas theatres, lots of amateur theatres, ensembles, abundant groups of art and sports. Kaunas is best known for the Kaunas Jazz Festival, Pažaislis music festival, which usually run from early June until late August each year. Probably the longest established festival is the International Modern Dance Festival, which first ran in 1989. Some of the best examples of culture life in Kaunas are:

• Kaunas State Drama Theatre
• Kaunas State Musical Theatre
• Kaunas Pantomime Theatre
• Kaunas Chamber Theatre
• Kaunas Dance Theatre Aura
• Kaunas State Puppet Theatre
• Kaunas Little Teatre

Public art

A great deal of sculptuary is on display in the public areas of Kaunas.

Sculptures in Vienybė Square

Vytautas the Great statue near city municipality

Economy

Head offices of several major International and Lithuanian companies are located in Kaunas, including "Kraft Foods Lietuva", largest Generic Pharmaceutical producer in Lithuania "Sanitas group", producer of sportsweare AB "Audimas", one of the largest construction companies "YIT Kausta", JSC "Senukai", largest producer in Lithuania of strong drinks JSC "Stumbras", Finnish capital brewery JSC "Ragutis", JSC "Fazer Gardesis", largest wholesale, distribution and logistics company in Lithuania and Latvia JSC "Sanitex", JSC "Stora Enso Packaging", "UBIG group" - a management company of diversified holdings which operates in the property development, banking, aluminium, mining, logistics, textiles, sports, financial intermediary and other sectors; producer of pharmaceuticals, and the only producer of homoeopathic medicines in Lithuania JSC "Aconitum". There are also some innovative companies located in Kaunas, such as leading wholesaler of computer components, data storage media "ACME group", internet and TV provider, communications JSC "Mikrovisata group", developer and producer original products for TV and embedded technologies JSC "Selteka". Before its disestablishment, Air Lithuania had its head office in Kaunas.^[10]

Infrastructure

The city is located in the centre of Lithuania, making it highly significant from a logistical point of view.

Highways

Kaunas is served by a number of major motorways. European route E67 is a highway running from Prague in the Czech Republic to Helsinki in Finland by way of Poland, Kaunas Lithuania, Riga (Latvia), and Tallinn (Estonia). It is known as the Via Baltica between Warsaw and Tallinn, a distance of 670 kilometres (420 mi). It is the most important road connection between the Baltic states. Kaunas also is linked to Vilnius to its east and Klaipėda, on the Baltic Sea, via the A1 highway and Daugavpils (Latvia), via E262(A6) highway.

Public transportation

Kaunas has well developed public transportation system. There are 16 trolleybus routes, 49 bus routes ([1]), a wide shared taxi carrier network - see Kaunas Public Transport. In 2007 new electronic monthly tickets began to be introduced for public transport in Kaunas. Until 2010 regular paper tickets, which are valid for single journeys on Kaunas public buses and trolleybuses, can be purchased from newspaper kiosks and bus/trolleybus drivers. It is available to purchase Kaunas electronic card in shops and newspaper stands and have it credited with an appropriate amount of money. The monthly e-ticket cards may be bought once and might be credited with an appropriate amount of money in various ways including the Internet. Previous paper monthly tickets were in use until August 2009.^[11] Kaunas is also one of the major river ports in the Baltic States and has two piers designated for tourism purposes and located on the banks of Nemunas river and Kaunas Reservoir.

Airports

Kaunas International Airport (KUN) is one of the biggest airports in the Baltic states. In 2009 it handled 456,698 passengers and 2,119 tonnes of cargo. The smaller S. Darius and S. Girėnas Airport, established in 1915, is located about three kilometers south of the city center. In 2010 Ryanair announced Kaunas Airport as their 50th base. In 2011 they believe that the airport will handle up to one million passengers.

Bridges

Since Kaunas is located at the confluence of two rivers, there are 34 bridges in the city, including:

• Vytautas the Great Bridge, connecting Old Town with Aleksotas across the Nemunas;
• M. K. Čiurlionis Bridge, an automotive bridge across the Nemunas;
• Petras Vileišis Bridge, connecting Old Town with Vilijampolė across the Neris River;
• The Green railway bridge.

Sports

Kaunas is home to the Žalgiris basketball club, one of Europe's strongest, which plays home matches in Kaunas Sports Hall. The city is also the birthplace or childhood home of many of the country's top basketball stars, among them Arvydas Sabonis, Šarūnas Marčiulionis, Žydrūnas Ilgauskas, Linas Kleiza and Šarūnas Jasikevičius. The main stadium of the city is S.Dariaus ir S.Girėno Sporto Centras (total capacity 9,000), which is also the Lithuanian soccer club FBK Kaunas's and Lithuanian national football team home stadium. Granitas Kaunas is a strongest men team handball club in Lithuania.

Education

Kaunas is often called a city of students; there are about 50,000 students enrolled in its universities.

• ISM University of Management and Economics
• Vytautas Magnus University
• Kaunas Business College
• Kaunas College
• Kaunas University of Medicine
• Kaunas University of Technology
• Lithuanian Academy of Physical Education
• Lithuanian University of Agriculture
• Lithuanian Veterinary Academy
• Vilnius University Kaunas Faculty of Humanities
• Kaunas Art Institute

Annual events

• Kaziukas Fair Kaunas fork (beginning of March)
• International open-air "Kaunas Jazz Festival" (April-May)
• International dance competition "Amber Couple" (beginning of May)
• Day of Kaunas city (middle of May)
• International poetry festival "Spring of poetry" (end of May)
• Pažaislis music festival (June-August)
• Traditional folk music competition "Play, Jurgelis" (November)
• Christmas tree lighting (end of November)
• Kaunas Textile Art Biennial
• Bike Show Millenium (middle of June)

Notable residents

• Valdas Adamkus ^[12]
• Aharon Amir
• Donatas Banionis
• Aharon Barak
• Antanas Baranauskas
• Montague Maurice Burton
• Marija Gimbutas
• Emma Goldman
• Juozas Grušas
• Joseph Gurwin (1920–2009), American philanthropist.^[13]
• Žydrūnas Ilgauskas
• Tadas Ivanauskas
• Valdas Ivanauskas
• Šarūnas Jasikevičius
• Romas Kalanta
• Linas Kleiza
• Vytautas Landsbergis
• Emmanuel Levinas (philosopher)
• George Maciunas
• Maironis
• Abraham Mapu
• Šarūnas Marčiulionis
• Adam Mickiewicz
• Hermann Minkowski
• Oskar Minkowski
• Vlado Perlemuter (pianist)
• Michał Pius Römer (lawyer, judge)
• Arvydas Sabonis
• Sidney Shachnow
• Mykolas Sleževičius
• Ladislas Starevich
• Jonas Vileišis
• Edita Vilkeviciute
• Vytautas Šliumba (Former Soaring Champion)
• Vytautas Žalakevičius
• L. L. Zamenhof (inventor of the Esperanto language)
• Erika Kilmanaite(runs the office at Traders Gate)

International relations

Twin towns — Sister cities

Kaunas is twinned with:

Brno, Czech Republic[14] Los Angeles, California, United States Wrocław, Poland[15] Łomża, Poland Trabzon, Turkey Myślibórz, Poland Tartu, Estonia

Tampere, Finland Odense, Denmark Grenoble, France, since 1997[16] Linköping, Sweden Kharkiv, Ukraine

Brescia, Italy Ferrara, Italy Hordaland, Norway Växjö, Sweden Cava dei Tirreni, Italy Tyumen, Russia Xiamen, China

Footnotes and references

Notes

This article incorporates text from the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, and has been released under the GFDL.

External links

• Website of Kaunas city
• Kaunas travel guide from Wikitravel
• Kaunas Web Page by Jose Gutstein
• Kaunas tour overview
• Kaunas In Your Pocket City Guide (also a downloadable PDF guide)
• The city of Kaunas
• A short description of Kaunas
• Historic images of Kaunas
• Kaunas International Airport
• Kovno site and Kovno stories links by Eilat Gordin Levitan
• Museums in Kaunas
• The Kaunas Jazz festival
• The Kaunas ower bird flight
• Kaunas Textile Art Biennial
• Kauno mozaika - the project of urban photography
• Public transportation in Kaunas (omnibuses, trolleybuses)
• Tourist Information Centre of Kaunas region
• Kaunas Travel Guide (tips about Kaunas)
• United States Holocaust Memorial Museum - Kovno

Members of the Hanseatic League by circle Chief cities shown in bold · Free Imperial Cities of the Holy Roman Empire shown in italics Wendish and Pomeranian Greifswald · Hamburg · Kiel · Lübeck · Lüneburg · Rostock · Stade · Stargard · Stettin · Stralsund · Wismar Saxony, Thuringia, Brandenburg Berlin · Brandenburg · Bremen · Brunswick · Erfurt · Frankfurt (Oder) · Goslar · Halle · Magdeburg Bohemia, Poland, Prussia, Livonia, Sweden Breslau (Wrocław) · Danzig (Gdańsk) · Dorpat (Tartu) · Fellin (Viljandi) · Elbing (Elbląg) · Königsberg (Kaliningrad) · Krakow · Pernau (Pärnu) · Reval (Tallinn) · Riga · Stockholm · Thorn (Toruń) · Visby Rhine, Westphalia, Netherlands Bochum · Breckerfeld · Cologne · Deventer · Dortmund · Duisburg · Groningen · Haltern · Hamm · Harderwijk · Hattem · Hasselt · Kampen · Münster · Nijmegen · Oldenzaal · Osnabrück · Recklinghausen · Roermond · Soest · Tiel · Unna · Werl · Zutphen · Zwolle Principal Kontore Bryggen (Bergen) · Hanzekantoor (Brugge (Bruges)) · Steelyard (London) · Peterhof (Novgorod) Subsidiary Kontore Antwerp · Berwick · Boston · Damme · Leith · Hull · Ipswich · King's Lynn · Kaunas · Newcastle · Polotsk · Pskov · Yarmouth · York

Municipalities of Lithuania District municipalities Akmenė · Alytus · Anykščiai · Biržai · Ignalina · Jonava · Joniškis · Jurbarkas · Kaišiadorys · Kaunas · Kėdainiai · Kelmė · Klaipėda · Kretinga · Kupiškis · Lazdijai · Mažeikiai · Molėtai · Pakruojis · Panevėžys · Pasvalys · Plungė · Prienai · Radviliškis · Raseiniai · Rokiškis · Skuodas · Šakiai · Šalčininkai · Šiauliai · Šilalė · Šilutė · Širvintos · Švenčionys · Tauragė · Telšiai · Trakai · Ukmergė · Utena · Varėna · Vilkaviškis · Vilnius · Zarasai City municipalities Alytus · Kaunas · Klaipėda · Palanga · Panevėžys · Šiauliai · Vilnius · Visaginas Municipalities Birštonas · Druskininkai · Elektrėnai · Kalvarija · Kazlų Rūda · Marijampolė · Neringa · Pagėgiai · Rietavas

Kaunas County Municipalities Birštonas • Jonava • Kaišiadorys • Kaunas (city) • Kaunas (district) • Kėdainiai • Prienai • Raseiniai Cities Ariogala • Birštonas • Ežerėlis • Garliava • Jieznas • Jonava • Kaišiadorys • Kaunas • Kėdainiai • Prienai • Raseiniai • Vilkija • Žiežmariai Towns Akademija, Kaunas • Akademija, Kėdainiai • Babtai • Balbieriškis • Betygala • Čekiškė • Dotnuva • Girkalnis • Gudžiūnai • Josvainiai • Kačerginė • Karmėlava • Krakės • Kruonis • Lapės • Lyduvėnai • Nemakščiai • Pagiriai • Pakuonis • Panoteriai • Pernarava • Rukla • Rumšiškės • Šėta • Šiluva • Surviliškis • Truskava • Vandžiogala • Veiveriai • Viduklė • Žaiginys • Zapyškis • Žasliai • Žeimiai Villages Gaižiūnai • Molavėnai • Paliepiai • Raudondvaris • Ruoščiai • Šatijai • Šeteniai • Stakliškės • Upninkai

From Wikitravel

Kaunas [1], [2] is the second biggest city in Lithuania.

Understand

Kaunas is Lithuania's second city but is in no way a poor relation. For a time it acted as temporary capital and as such benefited from investment and the status.

A visit in February is not everyone's idea of peak holiday time but it may add to the city's appeal. Yes it will be -15 degrees C outside, and yes there was snow and ice and it takes 10 minutes to dress before venturing out and another 10 to undress when you go back inside but when else do most of us get to experience that? It's not like England where one snowflake brings the transport network to a halt. Don't forget the people of Kaunas are used to it and life goes on with great efficiency. Museums have cloakrooms, everywhere is well heated and draft proofed, supermarkets have lockers to leave your coats, hats, scarves, gloves, sledges and so on and nobody minds you sipping vodka from a 200 ml bottle to keep your insides warm. As well as the usual attractions this time of year allows you to go sledging (sledges from 3 LTL in supermarkets) or across the bridge to the park on an island in the river to build snowmen, have snowball fights and drag huge chunks of ice up to the bridge to send crashing onto the frozen river below. You will notice that some couples had attached padlocks to the bridge with their names scratched or painted on - a custom one may have observed in Riga. The gist is pretty clear and the bridge to the park is an ideal location to continue this eastern European (?) custom. There is a locksmith who sells padlocks in a courtyard off the northern side of Laisves Aleja towards the eastern end - reasonably priced too. Go for the ones with the longest hasp (loop) as the bars of the bridge are really thick. Failing that attach yours to one that is already there!

Get in

By plane

Kaunas can be reached with the low cost airline Ryanair[3] to the Kaunas airport,[4], (IATA: KUN), which is located ~30 minutes drive from the downtown.Kaunas airport is currently served by Ryanair from Dublin, Birmingham, Frankfurt-Hahn, Bremen, Liverpool, London-Stansted and London-Luton and it is expected a flight from Brussels since 2nd March 2010. Or fly via Riga with AirBaltic, the Latvian airline. [5] New modern terminal for passengers was opened in March 2008. There are some vendors in the terminal building, including restaurant, bars, and duty free shops, as well as car rentals.Travel agency, currency exchange, and ATM services are also available. Airport has 3 parking lots with ~1000 parking spaces offering short- and long-term parking. From the airport bus #29 - found right outside - takes you into the center of Kaunas (tickets 2.0 LTL from the driver). Shuttle bus #120 goes by route: Kaunas Airport - Savanoriu Avenue - Kaunas castle bus stop. There are also two routes by shuttle bus from Kaunas airport to Vilnius and Klaipeda.

Vilnius airport [6] is just 100 km away from Kaunas. The Airlines that operate from Vilnius airport are Aer Lingus, AirBaltic, Czech Airlines, Estonian Air, Finnair, Lufthansa, Norwegian AirShuttle, Brussels Airlines Scandinavian Airlines (SAS) and LOT.

By road

Kaunas is served by a number of major Baltic motorways. The international road Via Baltica (connecting Warsaw, to Tallinn) crosses Kaunas just after about 70 km from the Lithuanian-Poland border. It is the most important road connection between the Baltic states. There is 210 km motorway from westwern part of Lithuania, Klaipeda and Palanga (city by the Baltic sea), and connects Kaunas, and Vilnius in the east. Buses serve section Kaunas-Vilnius every 30 to 60 min. Another important highway (named A6) links Kaunas with Jonava, Ukmerge, Utena, and [Daugavpils], in Latvia.The modern four-lane motorways and main roads are in a very good state. The speed-limit is 130 kph on the motorways (110 kph in winter), but just 100 kph on the Vilnius-Kaunas sector.

By train

There are many trains from Vilnius and Klaipeda to Kaunas. Some trains are going from Vilnius to Sestokai, and, Poland, through Kaunas. Recently renovated Kaunas railway tunnel near Kaunas central railway station built in 1861 is worth attention for tourists.

By boat

Lithuania's ferry port is Klaipeda on the Baltic sea coast. From there one can rent a car or take a bus to get to Kaunas, which is about 200 km (130 miles) inland. There is a chance to come to Kaunas pier from Nida by boat (summer time only).

Get around

Kaunas has well developed public transport system. There are 16 trolleybus routes and 47 bus routes inside of the city. Buses and trolleybuses tickets can be bought at press kiosks and in the transport. Price for one journey is 1.8 LTL (0.52 EUR) or 2.0 LTL (0.56 EUR) if ticket is bought in the bus or trolleybus. You must validate your ticket on entry in one of the machines. The Kaunas Public Transport [7] site offers useful information and a downloadable map [8] of the bus and trolleybus routes. Since 2007 electronic monthly tickets are being introduced for public transport in Kaunas. Until 2010 regular paper tickets, witch are valid for single journey in Kaunas public buses and trolleybuses, can be purchased from newspapers stands and public transport drivers. Each public transport stop in the downtown area is equipped with Kaunas public transport maps. Monthly tickets for buses are not valid for trolleybuses and conversely. Single journey (paper) tickets are valid for both transport - buses and trolleybuses.

There are about 16 routes of private owned microbuses routes in Kaunas. Shuttle (microbuses) service charges 2.5 LTL (0.72 EUR) per journey. For journey one should pay in cash at the moment of boarding and travel till necessary, i.e. just say "stop, please".

Taxi prices varies from 2 LTL (0.6 EUR) to 2.5 LTL (0.72 EUR) per kilometer. For travelling with taxi, it is advisable to order one by phone because halting a cab on the street is not a custom. In the evening and at night, the price will be higher.

Renting a car for at least 24 hours in Kaunas is easy. The vehicles are provided with a full tank. The car must be returned with full tank, otherwise, 1 EUR per liter is charged. To rent a car without a driver a deposit must be paid.

See

Kaunas has several districts and sites interesting for tourists. The Old Town is the area mostly built between XIV and XVII centuries, resembling buildings in Gothic, Renaissance, and, Baroque architecture. Other districts and places of interested are the compact New Town and scattered in different locations. A walking tour is the best way to see the Old Town of Kaunas. Lots of excursions are available at Kaunas region tourism information office [9].

• Kaunas castle is now reopened for the visitors. Kaunas castle was built in the middle of XIV century and is the oldest building in Kaunas. Nearby Kaunas castle a nice park is set at the confluence of the two largest rivers of Lithuania - Nemunas and Neris.

• The Kaunas city hall - Rotuses sq. 15, built in the middle of XVI century, at the time when Kaunas was flourishing city of merchants, City hall is nice example of renaissance architecture in Kaunas. It is unofficially among ocals called "The white swan". In 1836 the City hall was reconstructed and the residence for Russian czars was made there. The Wedding Hall (marriage registration office) was opened in the ground and first floor of City hall in 1973. The cellars are used by a Kaunas Ceramics museum. The museum collection consists of various archaeological findings from the Old Town and surroundings of Kaunas. The collection contains craftsmen-made crockery, tile stove ornaments as well as roof tiles of impressive size. The exposition also reflects the lifestyle of the townsmen of the time. Museum is open Tu-Su 11AM-5PM.

• The city hall square - the main square of Old Town is the place for Kaunas city hall and the surrounding buildings with lots of restaurants, bars, coffee-houses, museums, art galleries, and, hotels nearby.

• Maironis Museum of Lithuania Literature[10] - Rotuses sq.13; museum located in XVIIIth century palace, has been arranged as a memorial home of Lithuanian poet Maironis. The museum houses huge collection of books, manuscripts, art works, and memorial items. Working hours: Tu-Sat 9AM-5PM. Tickets 4 Lt (1,2 EUR).

• Kaunas cathedral - being 84 m long and 34 m wide is the largest Gothic church in Lithuania. It was first mentioned in writing sources in 1413.

• Kaunas Medicine and Pharmacy Museum [11] - Rotuses sq. 28. Houses a huge collection of skulls, herbs, medicine articles, and, other stuff of older times. Open 10AM-7PM daily. Mon.Closed.

• Vytautas' church - officially named The Church of Taking Holy Virgin Mary into the Heaven church is the oldest one in Kaunas and is one of the first Gothic brick buildings built in 1400 in Kaunas. The church belonged to Franciscan monks. During the Napoleonic Wars it was turned into a war ammunition warehouse.

• Evangelic Luteran church - small church located on the right bank of Nemunas river in the Old Town is in Baroque and Romanticism styles. The church was built in 1682 - 1683.

• St. Gertrude church - built in the late XVth century. It is a small sacral building in the outskirts of the Old city, a national architectural monument of Gothic style.

• Church of Holy Trinity - the Bernardine convent's church was built in 1624-1634. It is of late renassance style with a gothic tradition. At the moment, it is used for needs of Kaunas seminary.

• St. George church and Bernardine Monastery - located near Kaunas castle, church's Gothic walls have survived despite frequent fires. The monastery is a Gothic monument with unique façades. The interior features a number of valuable Renaissance and Gothic elements.

• Perkunas' house - one of the most beautiful secular so called "flaming" Gothic building (House of Thunder) in Lithuania. At the moment, a museum of famous Lithuanian and Polich poet Adomas Mickevicius (Adam Mickewicz) is opened inside.

• St. Michael Church and Benedictine Convent - the fine example of 15th century Gothic sacral building that is only with asymmetric layout in Lithuania. The church and convent complex is located on Benediktiniu str. 8 to the north-east from the central part of Kaunas Old town. It is reachable on foot by crossing busy Saukliu str. from Kaunas castle.

• Jewellery (gemmology) Museum Zamenhofo str./Kurpių str. 13, located between Nemunas river and the main Vilniaus street of the Old Town, small private museum attracts with rare minerals, preciuos stones exposition from different locations of the world.

• Historical Presidential palace - Vilniaus str. 33, Former Palace houses objects, which relate to presidential institution of the First Republic (1918–1940). Representational portraits, art works from the interiors of Presidential Palace are exhibited here, also – the presents received by the president, authentic furniture. Working hours: Tu–Su 11AM–5PM. Tickets 3 lt (around 1 EUR).

Downtown area

Kaunas downtown area is compact so everyone is able to stroll around on foot and take some photos. Be prepared for great variety of sculptuary on display in the public areas of Kaunas.

• Laisvės Alėja - Kaunas' most famous walking street is fully pedestrianised and runs from the Old Town for a distance of alomost 2 km to the Church of St. Michael the Archangel. Two lines of Linden trees, seating and flower beds run the length of the avenue. There is a good assortment of shops, banks, supermarkets, restaurants, a cinema, casinos, night clubs, museums, tourist information office, places to stay and a post office. It would be possible to spend your entire stay on Laisves Aleja and not get bored. It is kept clean and snow free (in the winter) with great efficiency and is a great place to spend time. In the late morning and afternoon various stalls selling foods, souvenirs hats etc. appear and are worth a look. The monument "Field of victims" in Laisves aleja near the garden of the Musical theatre was unveiled in 2002. It was dedicateg to Romas Kalanta, who self-immolated himself protesting the Soviet oppresion in 1972.

• Vytautas' Monument - located on Laisves aleja, near Kaunas city municipality. The monument to the most famous rulers of medieval Lithuanian was erected in 1930. It was demolished by the Soviets and then re-erected in 1990.

• Synagogue - Ozeskienes str.13. Kaunas choral synagogue, located near the western end of Laisves aleja, is one of two remaining Jewish houses of prayer in Lihuania. It was built in 1872 in reformist decorative style of synagogues of that time. The facade of the synagogue is reminiscent of a neobaroque church. It's dome was rebuilt some years ago.

• Tadas Ivanauskas Zoological Museum, Laisves Aleja, 106. Houses a collection of thousands of stuffed and preserved animals. In winter make use of the cloakroom to the left of the main hall on the ground floor as the museum is well heated. Arranged over several floors the collection ranges from full grown giraffes to butterflies and is well worth an hour or two of your time. Open 11AM-7PM daily. Mon. closed.

• Catacombs - enter the Church of St. Michael the Archangel (the beautiful domed building at the eastern end of Laisves Aleja) sand the entrance to the catacombs (katakombos) is on your right. Ask at the sacristy (right of the main altar) and they will let you in for free. You descend a spiral staircase into total darkness then begin a journey using your remaining senses which takes you through an underground assault course. When you make it through you ascend a similar spiral staircase on the opposite side of the church entrance. Not for the fainthearted, small children or anyone with difficulty moving around. They appreciate a donation to the church afterwards in one of the boxes scattered around.

• Vytautas the Great War Museum - K. Donelaicio str. 64. A history of Kaunas from prehistoric times to the present day. It houses an immense collection of weapons through the ages. The highlight is the complete, but tragic, remains of the plane Lituanica in which S. Darius and S. Girenas crossed the atlantic in 1933 (see the 10 Lita note). Open Tu-Su 11AM-5:30PM. Admission - adult 2 LTL, child 1 LTL. In front of Vytautas the Great museum a square with statues of Lithuanian national renaissance figures and ad the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and Eternal flame are located. It was the main square where Lithuanian national holidays were celebrated during the period when Kaunas had been the Temporary capital of Lithuania.

• Carillion - Kaunas 35 bell Carillon in the tower of Vytautas the Great War Museum was completed in Belgium in 1935. The bell music from the tower started to ring in 1937. Kaunas carillon was restored by Royal Eijsbouts bell foundry in Netherlands in 2006. After the restoration, Kaunas carillon has 49 bells and new keyboard. Everyday the Lithuanian folk melody of wartime is being played automatically in the middle of the day.

When you finish Ciau Pizza is on the corner ahead and to your right. Tasty and welcoming but don't expect lightning fast service - a relaxed pace and a chance to watch the world go by while your food is cooked.

• The Bank of Lithuania - Maironio str.25; the branch of Lithuania National bank in Kaunas. It was built in 1928 as new Central Bank building. There is a small exhibition of lithuanian banknotes and coins of the First Republic time inside. Very impressive architecture of neoclassicism style. One may purchase Lithuanian collector coins there.

• M. K. Ciurlionis National National Art Museum - V. Putvinskio str. 55. Museum [12] collects, keeps, investigates and popularizes Lithuanian most famuous artist and composer's M. K. Ciurlionis' (1875–1911) creative works, cultural heritage of Lithuania and the world. Some art critics call Ciurlionis the pioneer of abstract art. His creations combine symbolism, secessio, abstractionsism and romanticism. Working hours: October – May: Tu – Su 11AM–5PM. June – September: Tu–Su 10AM–5PM.

• Devils' museum,[13]. Contains the A. Zmuidzinavicius collection of sculptures and carvings of devils, and a unique collection of devils from the whole world. Putvinskio 64 Tel: 22 15 87 Open Tue-Sun 11.00-18.00

• Kaunas picture gallery - K. Donelaicio str.16. Gallery houses XXth century Lithuanian and Lithuanian émigrés art, and a collection of North American Indian art donated by Juozas Kaributas (USA). There is also Jurgis Mačiūnas FLUXUS cabinet and Art Collection of Algimantas Miskinis. Open Tue-Sun 11AM-5PM. Ticket price 4 LTL (1,2 EUR).

• Funicular railways - There are two still functioning funiculars in Kaunas. The Žaliakalnis Funicular Railway (V. Putvinskio gatve) is an electrically operated funicular railway. The oldest funicular in Lithuania and one of the oldest in Europe. It was constructed by AEG and began operating on 5 August 1931. The funicular has wood panelled coachwork and is serviced by an English speaking operator in uniform. It climbs the 75 m up from behind the Vytautas the Great War Museum to the Church of the Resurrection for some of the best views in Kaunas. The ticket costs 0.5 LTL. Another funicular, built in 1935, near Aleksotas (Vytautas) bridge, that connects Aleksotas district with the Old Town, takes people up to Aleksotas hill. From here is probably the best view of Kaunas downtown.

• The Park (Nemunos salos parkas), accessed across a footbridge at the southern end of S. Daukanto gatvě. A huge open space minutes from the bustle of Laisvės Alėja. A great place to sledge when there is snow and of course the place to leave your padlocks. They are now building a largest indoor sport stadium in the Baltic states on that island. Kaunas Arena will be used to host sports games as well as concerts. It is expected to be open in October 2010.

• Kaunas M. Zilinskas picture gallery [14] - Nepriklausomybes sq.12; Contemporay building at the eastern end of Laisves Aleja, near the Church of St. Michael the Archangel. Gallery houses collection of fine and applied art from around the globe. There are Egyptian amulets, Roman glassware, Ming vases, and more inside gallery donated by collector M. Zilinskas. Right outside the gallery stands a statue of naked man - a place for youth meetings and variuos artistic performances. Open June-September Tue-Sun 10AM-5PM, October-May 11AM-5PM. Ticket price 6 LTL (1,8 EUR).

• The Mosque - Totoriu str.3. The only in Lithuania Eastern style building and mosque of bricks located in the corner of the park in Kaunas downtown. It was built in 1930, in commemoation of Vytautas the Great 500th anniversary of his death.

• Church of the Resurrection, follow V. Putvinskio street from the Devil Museum or walk up behind the War Museum and turn right to find the Žaliakalnis Funicular Railway. This takes you up to the Church of the Resurrection. The door on the right hand side of the church (as you face it) takes you in and from 12PM you can climb the satirs (3 LTL) or take the lift (5 LTL) to the terrace at the top. Spectacular views of Kaunas and beyond. The church itself is also open to visitors. If you arrive too early and the terrace is not open then carry on north-west along Žemaičiu gatvě and at the junction you'll find an IKI supermarket that has a coffee bar/restaurant upstairs.

• The House of Sugihara [15]- Vaizganto str. 30. The memorial exhibition located in quiet residential district of Zaliakalnis is functioning in the building where before World War II, The Japanese consulate's vicecouncilor Chiune Sugihara resided. In 1940 he handed out Japanese transit visas to Jews from Lithuania, Poland and other countries. It was saved about 6000 people from Holocaust.

• Azuolynas Park - named after the old Oak-wood tree park, it is located in Zaliakalnis residential district reachable from the downtown area by some staircases. The park is one of the most popular places among locals to stroll. At the eastern part of the Azuolynas park, Kaunas Zoo entrance is set.

• Lithuanian Zoo Park [16] - the only zoo in Lithuania was established in a park, in which grow hundred year old oaks near the city center in 1938. It is made up of 11 sections and offers 6 classes of animals. Children can ride a pony or donkey in the zoo.

• Lithuania's Museum of Aviation [17]- Veiveriu str.132. Museum is located in Aleksotas district, at the former S. Darius and S. Girėnas international airport of Kaunas. It is the oldest still functioning for sports and rescue reasons airport in Lithuania, established in 1915. The exposition explores the development of Lithuanian aviation, some flying apparatus, and the aviation signs of various countries. Visitor may test a real aviaton simulator. Working hours: Tu-Sat 9AM-5PM. Tickets - 4 Lt (1,2 EUR), with guided excursion - 10 Lt (2,7 EUR). Museum is reachable from the city central bus or railway station by taxi, bus #6 or minibus #51, 68, 105.

• Kaunas Botanical Garden - one of the beautiful sites of nature of Kaunas comprises the area of 62.5 hectares with greenhouses founded in 1923 [18].

• Napoleon's hill - actually Jiesia hill, located on the left bank of the Nemunas river, between the Panemune district and Railway bridge. Since the early XIXth century it has been nicknamed Napoleon's hill. It is believed that from this hill in June 1812 Napoleon I of France watched his army crossing the Nemunas. The hill is accessable from Kaunas castle by bus #25 or taxi.

• Kaunas fortress - built between 1882 and 1915, it was designated a "first-class" fortress in Russian Empire in 1887. The fortress was battle-tested in 1915 when Germany attacked the Russian Empire, and withstood eleven days of assault before capture. The Ninth Fort of the Fortress houses a museum and memorial [19] devoted to the victims of World War II mass executions.

• Pažaislis monastery and church - form the largest monastery complex in Lithuania, and one of the most magnificent examples of Italian baroque architecture in Eastern Europe.

Do

Kaunas is home to a variety of festivals, including famous Pažaislis Music festival [20], Kaunas Jazz [21] festival and International Modern Dance Festival [22].

Theatres

Kaunas has many theatres showing different plays:

• Kauno Musical theatre [23] – Laisves aleja, 91; variety of classical opera and operetta plays in original language. Everyone should purchase tickets in advance.Prices varies from 15 LTL (4,4 EUR) to 100 LTL (29 EUR).

• Kaunas State Drama theatre – Laisves aleja, 71; shows drama performances.

• Kaunas Pantomime theatre [24] - Kovo 11 str. 26; the only in Lithuania theatre of that kind.

• Kaunas Chamber theater [25] – Kestucio str.,74A. Located near Musical theatre, it is small, but yet well known drama teatre.

• Kaunas Modern dance theatre[26] – M. Dauksos str. 30A. Locate in Old Town. Contempoary art of dance.

• Kaunas City Symphony Orchestra [27] – L. Sapiegos str. 5; Orchestra plays concerts at Kaunas Philharmonic which is located at the former Lithuanian Parliament House.

• Kaunas Puppet theater – Laisves aleja, 87A. Cosy theatre, plays for childern. Located near Musical theatre.

Learn

There are some universities in Kaunas. Some of them, listed below, attract students from other countries.

• Vytautas Magnus University. Founded in 1922 as national university, it is named after Vytautas the Great, the most famous XVth century Lithuanian ruler. University is one of the leading universities of Lithuania [[28]] - K. Donelaicio str. 58.
• Kaunas University of Technology - the largest technical university in the Baltic States [29]- K. Donelaicio str. 73. (central administration).
• Lithuanian Academy of Physical Education – the only institution of tertiary physical education in Lithuania [30] - Sporto str. 6.
• Kaunas University of Medicine [31] - A. Mickeviciaus str. 9.
• Kaunas Art Institute [32] - Muitines str. 4.
• University of Management and Economics [33] - E. Ozeskienes str. 18.

• Supermarkets - Maxima, IKI, Rimi, Norfa, Silas; Senukai (household goods).

• Vodka (Degtiné) - a whole range of flavoured vodkas starting at 5 LTL for 200 ml. Try cherry, cranberry, lemon, blackcurrant, raspberry and of course classic. The pepper was an acquired taste - but got easier the more you drank.
• Flax products (linas) - high quality and old traditions.
• Mead - orginal national beverage with honey flavour and taste.
• Cottage cheese - lot's of variations.
• Amber, so called "Lithuanian gold", decorations.
• Do not forget to visit the outdoor markets.

• Arena Pizza, Laisves aleja 57 and Savanoriu av. 363, [34]. Offers a huge range of pizzas and side dishes at good prices and is very centrally located.

• AJ šokoladas, Rotuses sq. 26. Chocolate restaurant offers marvelous snacks, nice coffee, and, beautiful atmosphere in the heart of Old Town of Kaunas near City hall square.

• Bernelių Užeiga, Valančiaus 9, [35]. Tasty traditional Lithuanian dishes, soup in bowls made of bread and home brewed beer. Cosy and atmospheric and very convenient if yo are in the Old Town as it is just a minute from the tourist info. center.

• Ciau. Closest eating place to the Vytautas the Great War Museum (see above) - tasty, warm, good value but a little slow.

• Čili Pica, [36]. One at Laisves Aleja 76 - good value, tasty and comfortable. Also at Mega shopping center (see below).

• Čili Kaimas, at Mega shopping center. Traditional Lithuanian food in a country themed surroundings including live chickens in glass cabinets - great for kids.

• Pizza Jazz, Laisves Aleja 68, Laisves Aleja 106 and others, [37]. Great pizzas and other dishes and good beer in very comfortable surroundings.

• Zalias Ratas, Laisvės 36b behind tourist info. center. A traditional country inn recreated in the city. Roaring fire, costumed waitresses, and tasty traditional Lithuanian food make this a great place to visit.

• Bokstas [38]- Kestucio str. 86; located near Musical Theatre and former tower of the City's wall. One of the best recently opened restaurant in Kaunas. European cuisine.

• Gralis [39]- Trumpoji str. 10; restaurant is located near Old Town, just take about 300 metres up the hill from Benediktiniu str. and turn left on Trumpoji stret. There are 4 banqueting halls inside on 2 floors. Luxury European cuisine, notably Italian. There is also a small guesthouse alongside.

Try these dishes: Cepelinai(didžkukuliai) su spirgučiais - potatoes balls with meat(~11 LTL); Vėdarai(~10LTL); Plokštainis - meal of potatoes(~8-12LTL); Bulviniai blynai(grated potato pancakes) with different sauces(~8-11LTL); Virtinukai - curd patties(~10LTL);

• Beer (Alus) - Utenos, Švyturys and Horn are to be recommended - expect to pay around 5 LTL per 0.5l in tourist bars and restaurants (Around 2 LTL in local bars e.g. Geru Alu Gerti Gera - has a red awning outisde and is situated on Birštono gatve. Worth a vist just to see the wild boar skin and wild boar head on the walls).

• Avilys, [40]. A great place to get a beer - all home brewed - but does not allow children in.

• Mega [41]- a huge shopping complex just outside the city centre with shops, multiscreen cinema, restaurants and a spectacular aquarium in the main entrance stocked with tropical fish including sharks. Stairs and an escalator take you up beside it for a better view. You can even watch them feed the fish (twice a day in the week, once at weekends). Served by bus #38 and #21 from the city centre (journey time about 20 minutes).

• Akropolis [42]- shopping mall built in 2007 and located in a 4-storey building in the centre of the city. There are lots of retailers, restaurants and cafés, entertainment providers. The shopping centre also comes with an ice skating arena surrounded by a food court, a bowling alley and a cinema.

• Urmas [43]- “Urmas” shopping area located at the eastern part of the city, comprises of more than 65000 m², and, is equipped with specialized meat, fruit & vegetable and fish markets. The business area is divided into separate units: Yellow, Green, Grey, Western and Eastern galleries and the Red passage. “Urmas“ center features a 2.500 parking lot which surrounds all galleries. “Urmas” shopping area is reachable from the city center by taxi, minibus #99 or troleybusses #15,16.

• Kaunas City Camping - Jonavos str. 51A, tel.: +370 618 09 407; Kaunas camping is located just off the Vilnius-Klaipėda motorway north of the Kaunas downtown on the right bank of the Neris river. Kaunas camping offers places for 50 motor homes and an area to pitch tents. Electricity, washing facilities are available. Kaunas Old town is reachable from camping by bus #20. Prices: tents 15 LTL (4,4 EUR) /person, vehicles 34 LTL (10 EUR) /person, double chalets 100 LTL (29 EUR).

• Hostel 10, Neries krantine str. 16, tel/fax.: +370 37 30 22 18 fax.: +370 37 30 22 19 [mailto: info@hostel10.lt] [44]. There are 116 beds: 14 eight-seater and 1 four-seater rooms. Breakfast (extra charge). Prices: bed – €10;

• Apple Economy Hotel, M. Valančiaus str.19, tel./fax: +370 (37) 321 404; [mailto: info@applehotel.lt] [45]. Hotel is located in Kaunas Old Town area and has 14 double rooms. Breakfast is not included in room price. Prices: bed – €40.

• Metropolis Hotel, S. Daukanto str. 21, tel.: +370 37 20 59 92; fax: +370 37 20 62 69 [mailto: metropolis@greenhillhotel.lt] [46]. The location of the oldest city's hotel is in the very heart of the downtown of Kaunas. Buffet breakfast is served. 74 rooms. Prices start from €32.

• Babilonas Hotel, Raseinių str. 25, Kaunas; tel.: +370 37 20 25 45; fax.: +370 37 20 91 56; [mailto: babilonas@hotel.lt] [47] Hotel is located in a quiet district of Kaunas, named Žaliakalnis. Hotel offers 10 modern arranged rooms. Prices from €49.

• Kunigaiksciu Mene Hotel, M. Daukšos str. 28; tel.+ 370 37 320800; fax: +370) (37) 320872; [mailto: mene@takas.lt] [48] Three-star hotel is located in the city of Kaunas, close to the historic centre and its 13th century castle. The hotel consists of 8 single and double rooms. Prices from €58.

• Hotel Magnus, Vytauto str. 24, tel.: +370 37 340 000; fax.: +370 37 240 804; [mailto: info@magnushotel.lt] [49] A new 3-star hotel in the centre of Kaunas, near recently renovated Central railway station of Kaunas. 82 rooms. Hotel has parking space for 30 cars and at least 3 buses. Prices from €70.

• Pažaislis park Hotel, T.Masiulio str. 18E, tel.: +370 614 63664; fax.: +370 37 351554; [mailto: pphotel@hotmail.com] [50] Hotel is located in the service and entertainment park, Pažaislis Park, consisting of the Svarstyklės European and Chinese restaurant. 10 rooms. The prices start from 58 EUR per night.

• Alanta Hotel, Alantos str. 33; tel.+ 370 37 731 142; fax: 370 37 733 871; [mailto: hotel@alanta.lt] [51] Three-star hotel was opened in 1997 in quiet area of Žaliakalnis district, 2 km from the city centre.8 rooms. Prices from €52.

• Centre Hotel Nuova, Savanoriu Avenue 66/ Zemaiciu str.31; tel./fax: +370 37 321 418 [mailto: info@centrehotel.lt] [52] It is a new three-star hotel situated in the very heart of Kaunas city. Located in the quiet surroundings on the green slope of Žaliakalnis hill the hotel yet is very close to the city’s main artery — Savanoriu Avenue. 28 rooms. Prices from €45.

• Perkūno Namai Hotel, Perkuno av. 61, Kaunas; tel.: +370 37) 320 230; fax.: +370 37 323 678; [mailto: hotel@perkuno-namai.lt] [53] The hotel is the first private hotel in Kaunas. It is located in a residential district named Žaliakalnis adjacent to the old oak forest. Hotel offers 29 modern rooms. Prices start from €64.

• Kaunas Hotel, Laisves Avenue 79, tel: +370 37 750850, fax +370 37 750851 [54]. It offers comfortable rooms with views directly onto the avenue, has an elevator and provides a sumptuous breakfast in its cellar restaurant for the more discerning traveller. 85 rooms. Prices from €74.

• Europa Royale Kaunas Hotel, Misko str. 11, tel.: 370 37 407 500; fax.: +370 37 407 501; [mailto: kaunas@europaroyale.com] [55] A very fresh 4 star hotel of 91 spacious rooms is situated in the centre of the city and near the shopping mall with lots of shops and restaurants. Free parking lot for cars and busses (60 parking spaces) in the back yard of the hotel and another one in front of the hotel . Prices start from €75 per night.

• Best Western Santaka Hotel, J. Gruodžio st.. 21, tel.: .+ 370 37 302 702; fax.: +370 37 302 700; [mailto: neris.sales@revalhotels.com] [56] Hotel is located in the heart of Kaunas center, and, offers 92 stylish and well-equipped rooms with air conditioning systems. In the Hotel’s enclosed back yard there is a free parking lot and parages. Prices start from €105.

• Daniela Hotel, A. Mickevičiaus str. 28, tel.: .+370 37 321 505,; fax.: +370 37 321 632; [mailto: daniela@danielahotel.lt] [57] 4 stars hotel is located in the very heart of the city, next to the main pedestrian street Laisves Avenue. 75 rooms. Prices start from €85.

• Reval Hotel Neris, K. Donelaicio str. 27, tel.: .+ 370 37 306 100 ; fax.: +370 37 306 200; [mailto: office@santakahotel.eu ] [58] Kaunas’ largest hotel in very central location with largest Conference and Event centre in Kaunas. 4 star hotel has 208 air-conditioned guestrooms in Scandinavian Northern European style.

• Daugirdas Hotel, T.Daugirdo str. 4, tel.: .+370 37 301 561; fax.: +370 37 301 562; [mailto: hotel@daugirdas.lt ] [59] New business class four stars hotel and restaurant "Daugirdas" is situated in the very Old Town of Kaunas, in a restored XVI - XIX century building, 50 m from the Town Hall, in the confluence of the biggest Lithuanian rivers. 48 rooms. Prices start from €75 per night.

• Klaipeda Hotel, Rotuses square 5 / V. Kuzmos str. 8, tel.:+ 370 37 229 981; fax.: +370 37 220 355; [mailto: kaunas@klaipedahotel.lt] [60] 4 star hotel is newly renovated, situated in the Old Town, and, surrounded by architectural monuments – Kaunas Castle, Cathedral Basilica, Vytautas Church, Town Hall, St. Francis Xavier Church, gothic Perkūnas House. 28 rooms. Prices start from €86.

• Solo B&B, [61] Dysnos 10, tel.+370687 54443; +37037 743839 info@solohotel.lt. Solo B&B is newly built, in 2006, annex in the private territory, which provides excellent lodging facilities. Currently offering 2 homelike and modernly designed (27sq.m.) rooms with the separate entrances and outside terraces that lead to the spacious private garden.

Stay safe

Kaunas usually is a safe place but everyone should take some precautions against pickpockets and baggage theft, especially in public transport and at stations.

Opposite of the central train station there is a „Station‘ market“ - a particularly dangerous area, especially on evenings. The baggage lockers in Kaunas railway station are a cheap and secure place to store bags and other items.

• Internet. Free hotspots all over the city, especially in restaurants. Since June 2009 free WiFi hotspots on all Laisves avenue.

For tourism information there is Kaunas region tourism information center functioning since 1999. It also has offices at Kaunas airport, Central train station, Kaunas Bus station, and „Reval Hotel Neris“.

The official contacts are:

• Kaunas region tourism information center [62], Laisves avenue 36. Tel.: +370 37 323 436; fax:: +370 37 423 678, mail: info@kaunastic.lt. Working hours: June-August: Mo-Fr 9 AM – 6 PM, Sa 10AM- 6 PM, -Su 10 AM - 3 PM; September –May Mo-Fr 9 AM – 6 PM, Sa 10AM- 3 PM, October-April: Mo-Th 9 AM – 6 PM, Fr 9AM-5PM.

• Kaunas Airport Tel.:+370 616 50991; mail: info@kaunastic.lt Working hours:

1 hour 30 minutes before and after the company`s "Ryanair" flight.

• Kaunas Train station - M.K.Čiurlionio str. 16; Tel.:+370 37 272 955; mail: info@kaunastic.lt Working hours:

Mo-Fr 9.10AM - 5.30PM; Lunch break: 1PM-2PM

• Kaunas Bus station – Vytauto av.24; Tel.:+370 37 322 222; mail: info@kaunastic.lt Working hours:

Mo-Sa 8AM - 7PM; Su: 8PM-3PM

• Reval Hotel Neris – K. Donelaičio str. 27; Tel.:+370 37 306 100; mail: info@kaunastic.lt Working hours: Mo-Sa 6PM – 9AM; Sa-Su: all day and night.

Hospitals

Kaunas's hospitals offer generally high quality services at a small price if compare to the cost of a Western hospital. Probably the best-regarded is Kaunas University of Medicine hospital [63] - the largest medical institution in Lithuania. The hospital was established in 1939 as major hospital complex built near the 7 th fort. The hospital was designed by the French architects Urbain Cassan and Elie Ouchanoff. The hospital address – Eivieniu str.2. Tel.: + 370 37 32 63 75; Fax.:+370 37)32 64 27.

• Everyone, while in Kaunas, should take some time and make a short trip to Birstonas - one of the oldest balneology resorts in Lithuania. Birstonas is located about 30 km (19 miles) south from Kaunas among the beautiful forests in the Great Loops of Nemunas (Neman) river. Buses #52 leave often from Kaunas central bus station, cost a few Litas and take about 40 minutes. Birstonas tourism information center [64] is located in the heart of the town.

• 18 km (11 miles) to the east of Kaunas near Kaunas-Vilnius motorway in Rumsiskes is located one of the largest in Europe open-air ethnographic museum[65]. It displays the heritage of Lithuanian rural life in authentic re-erected buildings buildings from the 18th–19th centuries. Rumsiskės also belongs to the Kaunas Reservoir Regional Park. Museum is easliy reachable by bus, taxi or (in summer times) by boat from Kaunas Pazaislis pier.

• Some hours enough to make a visit to Zapyskis, 17 km (10 miles) west from Kaunas on the left bank of the Nemunas River. Zapyskis small town community is proud of St. John Baptist Church built in a gothic style in 1578. From the beginning of 20th century not used for cult. Sacral mucic concerts, cultural events are held here in summer time.

.

This is a usable article. It has information for getting in as well as some complete entries for restaurants and hotels. An adventurous person could use this article, but please plunge forward and help it grow!

Definition from Wiktionary, a free dictionary

Contents 1 English 1.1 Proper noun 1.1.1 Translations 2 Lithuanian 2.1 Proper noun

English

Wikipedia

Proper noun

Kaunas

1. The second largest city of Lithuania.

Translations

---

Lithuanian

Proper noun

Kaunas

1. Kaunas