Kaunas

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Pacifying but vivid Kaunas is the second largest in Lithuania with appr. 300, 000 residents. It is

located on the confluence of Nemunas and Neris rivers.

Kaunas has historically been cultural and economical center and it was the capital of the First Republic of Lithuania 1919-1940.

Kaunas is known as the city of students for its many universities

Shopping

Urmas shopping area (Pramones pr. 16) at the eastern part of the city, is equipped with specialized meat, fruit & vegetable and fish markets. Decorated by antique passenger train, Urmas is an idyllic bazaar for getting cheap souvenirs.

What to see

Castle

This castle were built in mid-14th century for purposes of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania and it is majorily reconstructed to its former glory.

Castle area often is used as a stage for concerts and performances and its round tower houses an art museum.

Town Hall

In the heart of the Old Town, lies the Renaissance Town Hall. Built in 15th century it is part of the historic Kaunas and it has nickname ”The White Swan” for its beauty. Nowadays it is used for the wedding ceremonies and official events of the town. It houses also the Museum of Ceramics in its cellar. The City Hall Square is the popular cafe area and Old Town has lots of restaurants, bars, coffee-houses, museums, art galleries and hotels.

House of Perkunas

Another gem of the Old Town, Gothic House of Perkunas were constructed originally by Hanseatic merchants and it served their headquarters 1440-1532. In 16th century it was sold to Jesuits, who changed its purpose to chapel in 1643.

The ruined house was rebuilt in the 19th century and served as a school and theatre. Today it belong once again to Jesuits and currently it houses a museum dedicated to art and works of Polish writer Adam Mickiewicz.

Cathedral basilica

This Roman Catholic cathedral basilica has mentioned first in written source in 1413. It was originally Gothic, but it was rebuild with some Renaissance features in 1671. The present day shape of the building is from a further renovation in 1800. The Chapel of the Blessed Sacrament with neo-Gothic furnishings were built as an independent extension in 1895.

Top 5 in Kaunas

1. Old Town
2. House of Perkunas
3. Cycling
4. The Kaunas Castle
5. Vytautas’ Bridge

How to get in Kaunas

RyanAir offers flights to Vilnius international airport from various cities.

Trains from Vilnius to Kaunas goes in daily basis. Train timetables are visible here

Bus operators Ecolines, Eurolines and Lux Express offers various transnational routes from e.g. Warsaw, Riga, Tallinn and St. Petersburg to Kaunas. Kautra is the main bus operator on the route from Riga and other Lithuanian hubs.

Text: Timo Hellman

Photos: Wikimedia Commons with CC licence / Arroww, pbqwx, Guillaume Speurt, Diliff, Nikater[/fusion_text]