Kedainiai Things to Do Tips by Raimix

St. George church

It is the oldest church in Kedainiai city, built in the 15th century, in Gothic style. One story tells that it was constructed by crusaders on pagan temple - saint forest.

Church is located on small hill on another bank of Nevezys river (not in old town), so from that hill you could see panorama of Kedainiai old town. There is also nicely decorated bank of one pond near this church.

Directions: On the hill in other part of old town.

Minaret

Kedainiai is minaret is only one minaret in whole Lithuania. This structure was built in 1882 by landowner E. Totleben. After Russian-Turkish war (Lithuania was in Tsarist Russia when), someone needed to commemorate victory against Turkey, so it was a symbol of victory.

Minaret is not very tall, 31 meters. It is located just near Kedainiai train station, in park. You could look location in the map near train station.

Evangelist Lutheran church

The church was built in 17th century, it was the central cultural point of German people, who lived in Kedainiai. Some time ago there was cemetery of Germans as well. Church has some chapels around and built on a small hill a bit outside from old town.

"Light" gymnasium

"Sviesioji gimnazija" - this way it is called in Lithuanian language. The light here is a symbol of education, new ways to approach life. Building itself is classicism style. This place is famous, as here in 1653-1864 was Kedainiai College, where most of teachers (lecturers) were Lutherans - this place nowadays is called "the hearth of lituanistics".

Directions: Th end of Didzioji street.

St. Joseph church

St. Joseph church is wooden baroque style Catholic church (built in 18th century). The construction of it took even 60 years, as local people, who were mostly Lutherans, was against it. This structure is fenced around, church has nice inner yard, chapel. This building is very well preserved despite of it is wooden.

Directions: In Kedainiai old town.

the complex of synagogues

The complex of synagogues is two synagogues in one square (the square was called Jewish market square, I think). One of synagogues is from 17th century, baroque style (it was rebuilt after fire in the year of 1784) and another is a small winter synagogue, built in the beginning of 19th century. More unique is small winter synagogue, where you still could see nice interior and the gallery inside.

Directions: Kedainiai old town.

Town Hall

The town hall is located in the Great market square. In Lithuania there are only three old town halls (in Vilnius, Kaunas and Kedainiai). This building is from the middle of 17th century, renaissance style.

From the place where town hall is located Didzioji street starts, the main street of Kedainiai old part.

Directions: In the Great market square.

Evangelist reformers' church

Evangelist reformers' church looks a bit like a castle from outside. I think it is influence of the conflicts between Lutherans and Catholics - churches needed to be saved and defend themselves.

This Renaissance church was built in 17th century. It has an inner yard with a nice tower. Church houses a mausoleum of landowners Radvilas family, who were helping Kedainiai city a lot through the history. They were Lutherans as well. I haven't been to that mausoleum, but you could go there after you ask about before (to reserve time).

Directions: Near the Great market square.

Sculpture of Jonusas Radvila

It is a sculpture of one of the most popular person in Kedainiai. He was the one, who wanted to make union with Sweden to protect Lithuanian land from Russian Empire, but union wasn't made because of Sweden's side. Anyway, it scared Russians for further attacks of Poland-Lithuania common kingdom.

Jonusas Radvila was the one who found a print house, gymnasium in Kedainiai, he was a patron of Evangelist Reformist church members in Lithuania, so helped to get money to build churches and to get better status of their religion in Lithuania.

Directions: It is in the Great market square.

Great market square

It is the most beautiful old town market square in Kedainiai. You could see here houses from 16th - 17th centuries. There are houses of glaziers, the house of Scottish George Anderson (one of the richest and most popular person in city), and town hall.

This great market square is good place to start tour in city. Here main old town street called Didzioji starts and there you will find map and information about sights in town.