"Kaunas." Kaunas by Askla

Kaunas Travel Guide: 960 reviews and 1,689 photos

A very brief history.

Kaunas is the second largest city in Lithuania with ~320.000 inhabitants. Some sources say that it was founded in 1030, but it is first mentioned in written records in 1361 together with the threats of an attack from the Teutonic Order. It showed not to be just a threat as in 1362 the town was captured by the Order who then destroyed the castle.
Kaunas was given the city rights in 1408 and in 1441 the Hanseatic League established a post there (that only remained until 1532).
During war with Russia in 1655 tsar Alexis burnt Kaunas to the ground and two years later the town suffered from the plague, which took many of the remaining people's life.

In the inter war time, Kaunas was the capital of Lithuania from 1920 until 1940.

Last visit to Kaunas: Aug 2010
Intro Updated Oct 22, 2011
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Reviews (20)

The post office. Favorites (2)

You will find the main post office at Laisves aleja 102, a huge concrete building. more travel advice

Church of St. Michael the Archangel. Things to Do (11)

The church was built in 1893 as a Russian Orthodox Cathedral for the Russian soldiers based in town but nowadays serves... more travel advice

Monument to Vytautas the Geat. Things to Do (11)

Vytautas the Great is one of the great names of medieval times. He lived 1350 to 1430. Together with the Polish king... more travel advice

St. Gertrude's Church. Things to Do (11)

St. Gertrude's church (25m to the right of the marker) is one of the oldest Gothic buildings in the country - it was... more travel advice

Transportation (5)
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Comments (2)

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Odiseya Dec 5, 2012 at 11:55 AM

We have a similar interesting in traveling. I spend here a little time and your page brings me a nice memory. Thank you!
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HORSCHECK Oct 22, 2011 at 6:18 AM

Great start with helpful transportation tips. I am looking forward to reading more and also seeing some photos.