Cities of Lithuania

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Tauragė

Tauragė Town (pop. 28.5 thousand) is located in the western part of Lithuania, in the plain of the lower reaches of the Nemunas River and is crossed by the Jūra River. The name of Tauragė is composed of two words having the meaning of “aurochs” (tauras) and “horn” (ragas). According to old tales, people found aurochs’ horns when gathering mushrooms in a forest. Today it is known that the Pajūris Manor was in the location of Tauragė back in 1499. A first wooden Catholic church along with a sheltered accommodation and a school was built in Tauragė in 1507. In 1567, the town with a status of a border settlement opened a customs house.

Marijampolė

Marijampolė is the capital metropolis of Suvalkija (Sūduva), the Užnemunė ethnic region of Lithuania. The town, settled by the Šešupė River, originated from the village of Pašešupis, first mentioned in the past records back in 1667. In the 18th century the village evolved into Starapolė Town. Upon having constructed a monastery the town was given the name of Marijampolė. On 23 February 1792, Marijampolė was settled a privilege of the Magdeburg rights and became a valid town and an significant trade centre of Užnemunė.

Telšiai

Telšiai is the capital of Samogitia, the centre of Telšiai County and District, the centre of Samogitian Catholicism. This is the town located on seven hills, from East and West surrounded by the legendary lake Mastis, famous for the number of the places to visit and unique sites.

Jonava

Jonava is one of the most beautiful cities in Lithuania. It is famous for it`s historical buildings and fests which are held in summer. The growth of Jonava was greatly assisted by good contact with the nearby towns of Kaunas, Kedainiai and Ukmerge. The town grew from a small settlement which was recognized in the middle of the 17th century. At that time a butler named Kosakovskis founded a small town near the estate. The town was later named after Kosakovskis' son Jonas. In the middle of 18th century Jonava was mentioned in historical chronicles for the first time.

Kuršėnai

Kuršėnai is the largest town in Šiauliai region.The town is located on the river Venta on the crossroad Šiauliai - Palanga - Mažeikiai. Kuršėnai has got two railway stations. Trains go from Šiauliai to Klaipėda and from Šiauliai to Mažeikiai.

Klaipėda

Klaipėda is the third Lithuanian city by to the amount of its people. About 203 thousand citizens live here. The city has many museums, galleries such as the Art Gallery, History Museum of Lithuania Minor, Blacksmith Museum of Lithuania Minor, and the Clock Museum.

Klaipėda cherishes pleasant oceanic way of life–it hosts the Sea Festival on the last weekend of July every year since 1934. This occasion includes a huge amount performances of artistic companies and craftsmen’s fairs. The celebration attracts many participants and guests not only from Lithuania but from foreign countries, too.

The Lithuania Minor and Castle Museums house exhibits related to the history of the region; Pranas Domšaitis Gallery stores priceless collections of paintings; the Museums of Clocks and Blacksmith also boast exciting collections. A number of unique artworks of the best state sculptors are displayed in Klaipėda Park of Contemporary Sculpture. One can listen to the carillon music concerts given in the tower of the Old Post-office at noontime on weekends. In summer the seaside enjoys intensive musical life–several festivals of serious and light music and concerts are held here.

Klaipėda is the city appropriate for recreation. Klaipėda, like the whole coast of the Baltic Sea in Lithuania, boasts brilliant white sand beaches. The Seaside Regional Park, in close proximity north of the city, is eye-catching by gorgeous scenery and exclusive nature.

Šiauliai

Šiauliai City is called “kissed by the Sun”. The city stretches in the North of the Lithuania.Šiauliai is very attractive and eye-catching. In Šiauliai there is 7 exclusive and magic Sun Monuments.

During all 770 years the city was set 7 times overwhelmed by wars, stormed by Black Death.One of the most significant landmarks is renaissance architectural sensation is St. Apostles Peter and Paul‘s Cathedral with the oldest Lithuania‘s Sun Clock on the wall. A few steps further your eyes meet one more space sign in the Sundial Square. The Sculptures of the Golden Boy – An Archer – sparkles in the emission of the sun on the top of the Sun Clock. Another a clock is Cock, which signs every noon or early sunset, and welcomes you in 16 different languages.

In Šiauliai you can visit also 3 art works: a sculpture in Salduve Park, a fresco in the Municipality and Lithuania‘s biggest Stained glass in the Cinema Centre „Saule“. And that is not all. Šiauliai is a proud of the pedestrian with its impressive little architecture and fountains of the „Three Birds“and „Pelicans“.

Šiauliai is the city of unique museums. There are more than 20 of them it is only one in Lithuania that has got Cats, Bicycle, Radio and Television Museums. The most spectacular and remarkable museum is Chain Frenkel‘s Villa well-known for its architecture not found in the other Baltic countries.

Kaunas

Kaunas (pop.364.1 thousand), the second largest city of the country, issituated on the confluence of the Nemunas and the Neris. The cityoriginated in the 13th century when the first brick castle inLithuania, the biggest defence fortress then, was built. In 1408 thecity was granted the Magdeburg rights. Afterwards Kaunas began growingat a fairly rapid pace, especially its importance as the centre andmain port for trade with Western Europe. In the 16th century Kaunas wasone of the best developed cities in the Lithuanian Grand Duchy.

Vilnius

Vilnius, as the capital of Lithuania, is the home of the President, the Seimas, the Government and the Supreme Court. Diplomatic missions, educational, cultural, financial, research, and health care institutions are based there.