Kaunas (Lithuania) – the most detailed information about the city with photos. The main attractions of Kaunas with a description, guidebooks and cards.
Contents
Kaunas City (Lithuania)
Kaunas is a city in the northern part of Lithuania, located in a place confluence of the rivers Viliya and Neman. It is the second largest city in the country with wonderful old town. Kaunas is a city of students and one of cultural capitals of Lithuania with a rich history, an abundance of museums and interesting sights. If you want to look at real Lithuania, then come to Kaunas.
- Geography and climate
- Best time to visit
- Practical information
- Story
- How to get there
- Movement
- Shopping and shopping
- Food and drink
- sights
- Video
- Maps and guides
- Comments and reviews
Geography and climate
Kaunas is located 100 km north-west of Vilnius in place the confluence of the river Viliya in the Neman. The relief is mostly flat. Kaunas is located at an altitude of 60-70 meters above sea level. Most The highest point of the city is 100 meters.
The climate is moderately continental with warm summer and enough cold winter. For the year falls more than 600 mm of rain. During the southwesterly winds predominate.
Panorama of Kaunas
Best time to visit
The best time to visit Kaunas is May-September.
Practical information
- The population of Kaunas is more than 300 thousand inhabitants. Of these, 93% Lithuanians.
- Area – 174 square meters. km
- The official language is Lithuanian.
- Currency – Euro.
- Visa – Schengen.
Story
Kaunas was founded in 1361. This is one of the oldest cities. Lithuania. In 1408, the Grand Duke Vitovt bestowed upon Kaunas city rights (so-called Magdeburg rights). At that time the city was called Kovno.
In the 15th century, Kaunas was part of the Hanseatic League. City becomes one of the main shopping centers of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania. AT 17-18 centuries the collapse of the Hansa and the war stopped the prosperity of Kaunas. The city fell into disrepair. In 1795, Kaunas became part of the Russian empire.
In 1920-1940 was the temporary capital of Lithuania after Revolution.
On the streets of Kaunas
How to get there
Kaunas International Airport is located 14 km from the city. AT flights to major cities in Central Europe Scandinavia and the UK. In the summer, airplanes fly to Spain, Malta and Cyprus. From the airport to the city center can be reached on bus 29.
Kaunas is easily accessible by car. A1 motorway connects Kaunas and the capital of Lithuania – Vilnius, A6 -Daugavpils, Baltic the highway goes a little further west and then goes to Tallinn and Warsaw.
Regular bus services connect Kaunas with Vilnius, Riga, Tallinn, Minsk, Warsaw.
Kaunas streets
Shopping and shopping
Lovers of shopping must visit numerous shops in the Old Town. They can buy souvenirs and products of local artisans. From Kaunas as souvenirs porcelain, amber products, dolls made of wood and fabric, products from flax.
Kaunas City
There are several large shopping centers in Kaunas:
- Mega – a huge shopping complex 20 minutes walk from the center cities. You can get here by buses 38 and 21.
- Acropolis – a large shopping center almost in the center Kaunas, located in a 4-storey building.
- Urmas – a whole shopping area in the eastern part of the city 65,000 sq. M. m
Food and drink
From the dishes of the national Lithuanian cuisine we recommend to try: Šaltibarščiai – vegetable beet soup, Šaltnosiukai – dumplings with Lingonberries, Piršteliai prie alaus – puff pastries, Cepelinai (or didžkukuliai) su spirgučiais – potato balls with meat, Vėdarai – potato sausage stuffed with pork, Virtinukai – cottage cheese pies, Silkė – pickled or salted herring, Ruginė – rye bread, Bulviniai blynai – potato pancakes. Besides national cuisine in many restaurants you can find dishes European, Eastern, Russian and Italian cuisine.
Many budget places can be found around Laisvės. aleja In general, in Kaunas there should be no problems with food. Here You can find a sufficient amount of both budget and enough expensive institutions.
Night Kaunas
sights
The main attraction of Kaunas is the eponymous Castle. Founded in the 14th century at the confluence of the Viliya and Neman rivers, it is one of the oldest castles of Lithuania. Was built to protect from the crusaders. Interestingly, Kaunas Castle was the first stone castle of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania. Although he served the city is not long. After Kaunas obtained city rights, the value of the lock quickly fell.
Kaunas Castle
In Kaunas, you can also look at the Kovno fortress – the system defensive fortifications built by Russian troops in 19 century.
The Town Hall is one of the most interesting buildings in Kaunas, which wears nickname “White Swan”. It is an expressive building built in 16 century and combining the features of Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque. Area in front the town hall was almost always the center of a busy city of life.
Town Hall in Kaunas
The house of Perun (Perkunas) is one of the most beautiful buildings in Kaunas. gothic style. The house was built by Hanseatic merchants at the end of the 15th century. This house can be found in the old town near the church Vytautas.
House of Perun
To enjoy the wonderful panorama of Kaunas you can climb Aleksotas Hill The hill is connected to the old town by a funicular.
You should definitely walk along the most beautiful street of Kaunas – Vilnius. This is the main street of the old town, which is completely pedestrian. There are preserved buildings of the 16th century and more. late time.
The popular walking spot is Laisves Pedestrian Alley, which connects the old and the new city.
Sacred architecture
Catholic church of sv. Peter and Paul – brick basil of the 15th century. it the only fully Gothic church of this type in Lithuania.
Catholic church of sv. Peter and Paul’s
Catholic church of sv. George and Bernardine Monastery – one of the oldest religious buildings of Kaunas. Gothic style church built in late 15th century. Here you can look at the beautiful altar and old graves.
Catholic church of sv. George
Pažaislis Monastery is a beautiful baroque monastery complex, built in the 17th century. It is one of the most beautiful structures. this kind in Lithuania.
Monastery Pažaislis
Vytautas Catholic Church is one of the oldest stone buildings in Kaunas. Brick church of the 15th century in the style of the Gothic.
Catholic Church Vytautas
Catholic church of sv. Gertrude – one of the oldest religious buildings Lithuania, built in the second half of the 15th century. Architectural style – Gothic.
Catholic church of sv. Gertrude
Catholic church of sv. Mihaila – Orthodox Church in Neo-Byzantine style, built in the late 19th century.
Catholic church of sv. Michael
Basilica of the Resurrection of Christ – a religious monumental building built in the 30s of the 20th century.
Catholic church of sv. Francis
Catholic church of sv. Francis – Baroque church of the 17th century in the late style Baroque with two tall towers. Located close to Town Hall.
Museums
Interesting museums of Kaunas:
- The Museum of Folk Life is one of the largest museums in Lithuania. On the area of 195 hectares located 140 buildings and more than 88 000 exhibits that introduce the life of Lithuanians in the 17th century.
- Aviation Museum – more than 40 aircraft and tens of thousands of others exhibits.
- Museum of Cultural Heritage of Pažaislis Monastery
- Museum 9 Fort – one of the forts of Kaunas (Kovno) fortresses
- Kaunas Picture Gallery
Video
Maps and guides
Public transport scheme Detailed map of Kaunas
