Become a Virtual Tourist Member Today!  Sign Up for Free | Sign In

%ft%s4%cr%bLet's start virtual walk around Kaunas! and other Kaunas, Lithuania Things to Do Tips

Search:
Home » Europe » Lithuania » Kauno Apskritis » Kaunas » matcrazy1's Kaunas Page » %ft%s4%cr%bLet's start virtual walk around Kaunas! and other Kaunas, Lithuania Things to Do Tips

Kaunas Things to Do Tips by matcrazy1

See the Entire Kaunas Travel Guide

Click Picture to enlarge.
 email me
 add as friend


matcrazy1    
Keep smiling, take it easy :-)


Real Name: Maciek (Matt)
Lives In: Tychy, PL
Member Since: Jan 12, 2000
VT Rank: 18

 
Tips 1 - 10 of 101
Kaunas Things to Do
 Sort by: Most Recent | Best Rated | Author's Order

Things To Do: Let's start virtual walk around Kaunas!
  • Tip Rating:
  • Written by matcrazy1 on Sep 15, 2004
  • Kaunas Travel Guide
  • Send to a Friend
  • Kaunas - TOWN  HALL  SQUARE  (ROTUSES  AIKSTE)
  • TOWN HALL SQUARE (ROTUSES
  • AIKSTE)
  • by matcrazy1
  • Send Photo to a Friend
  • Welcome to a walk or better to say a few walks around Kaunas. I started at main square of the Old Town that was Town Hall Square (Rotuses aikste). It was large square with interesting architecture, churches, restaurants and museums around. A place to see, to eat/drink something and to meet someone.

    All a must see activities, I visited, where located either in compact and quiet Old Town or in larger and more busy the New Town. There were a few must see, I skipped both in the above area and outside. Read my first Warnings Or Dangers tip here for more, please.




    Leave a Comment

    Directions: Clickable map of Lithuania (online) is here. Search Kaunas and zoom in to get detailed map with numbers of houses marked.
    Rate      Not Helpful  1   2   3   4   5  Very Helpful 

    Visiting Kaunas?

    Read reviews about Kaunas Hotels

    Real Reviews from Real VirtualTourist Members.

    Things To Do: White Swan
  • Tip Rating:
  • Written by matcrazy1 on Sep 15, 2004
  • Kaunas Travel Guide
  • Send to a Friend
  • At the main square of the old town I paid attention to this high, white structure on my picture. It was not a church but old Town Hall (Kauno Rotuse, 1542) often called White Swan, a symbol of Kaunas. It was interesting to observe its mixed style of both Baroque (mainly), Gothic and early Classicism.

    RICH AND (UN)FAMOUS VISITORS
    The Town Hall during Russian occupation in 19th century was the seat of tzarist governors. There were luxary apartmerts put up inside for leisure of Russian tzar during his visits to Kaunas. Some rooms were hired for rich and famous visitors since the rail track reached Kaunas.




    Leave a Comment

    Address: Rotuses aikste, 3000 Kaunas, Lithuania
    Directions: From Minotel hotel: go eastwards Muitines gatve to southeastern corner of the Town Hall Square. The Town Hall was put in its western part.
    Rate      Not Helpful  1   2   3   4   5  Very Helpful 

    Things To Do: Wedding Hall
  • Tip Rating:
  • Written by matcrazy1 on Sep 15, 2004
  • Kaunas Travel Guide
  • Send to a Friend
  • Kaunas - KAUNAS TOWN HALL  (ROTUSES  AIKSTE)
  • KAUNAS TOWN HALL (ROTUSES AIKSTE)
  • by matcrazy1
  • Send Photo to a Friend
  • Nowadays Kaunas City Municipality is located on the main walking street of the New Town, at Laisves aleja # 96.

    The old Town Hall was renovated and reconstructed many times in the past. Since the last reconstruction in 1970, it housed the Ceramics Museum underground and the Wedding Hall called after Soviets the Wedding Palace above. Well, I didn't see any brides and grooms although I was there twice on Saturday. Maybe I was at wrong time or maybe... they used to get married on Sundays or they skip civil ceremonies and get married exclusively in nearby Basilica of SS. Peter and Paul. Other visitors to Kaunas were more lucky, look here, please.




    Leave a Comment

    Address: Rotuses aikste, 3000 Kaunas, Lithuania
    Directions: The Town Hall was put in western part of the square.
    Rate      Not Helpful  1   2   3   4   5  Very Helpful 

    Things To Do: Orientation point
  • Tip Rating:
  • Written by matcrazy1 on Sep 15, 2004
  • Kaunas Travel Guide
  • Send to a Friend
  • Kaunas - TOWER  OF  THE  TOWN  HALL
  • TOWER OF THE TOWN HALL
  • by matcrazy1
  • Send Photo to a Friend
  • White and octogonal tower of the Town Hall was 53 m (174 ft) high that was the height of, say 17-store building. Well, old edifice had only 7 floors. The tower was good orientation point in the old town. Four clocks put below its top were still operating.

    Unfortunately it was impossible to climb to the top of the tower to admire panoramic views of the old town. Top balconies were empty and ready. Maybe sometime...




    Leave a Comment

    Address: Rotuses aikste, 3000 Kaunas, Lithuania
    Directions: The Town Hall was put in western part of the square.
    Rate      Not Helpful  1   2   3   4   5  Very Helpful 

    Things To Do: Hidden excavations and wax
  • Tip Rating:
  • Written by matcrazy1 on Sep 15, 2004
  • Kaunas Travel Guide
  • Send to a Friend
  • Kaunas - GLASS PLATE  WITH  EXCAATIONS  UNDER
  • GLASS PLATE WITH EXCAATIONS
  • UNDER
  • by matcrazy1
  • Send Photo to a Friend
  • There were some archeological excavations seen under this green and glass floor plate, on my picture. Unfortunately there was something wrong with that glass which became not at all transparent although was put in 2002, two years before my visit to Kaunas. There was information in English under the glass plate but it was not so easy to read it.

    As I understood, the place was discovered in 1973 by Lithuanian archeologists and
    it was wax cupola from 15th century. The wax cupola was already mentioned in the privelege granted to Kaunas City by Vytautas Magnus, Grand Duke of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania. Here, wax brought from all parts of Lithuania, was melted into the so-called wax-stones which weighted about 14 kilograms. Wax was used to make seals in the past and was exported from Kaunas to other European states.




    Leave a Comment

    Address: Rotuses aikste, 3000 Kaunas, Lithuania
    Directions: The Town Hall was put in western part of the square, front to the east. The glass plate was put by the town hall, south-east of its front facade.
    Rate      Not Helpful  1   2   3   4   5  Very Helpful 

    Visiting Kaunas?

    Read reviews about Kaunas Hotels

    Real Reviews from Real VirtualTourist Members.

    Things To Do: Ceramics in beautiful cellars
  • Tip Rating:
  • Written by matcrazy1 on Sep 15, 2004
  • Kaunas Travel Guide
  • Send to a Friend
  • Kaunas - CERAMICS  MUSEUM  -  ENTRANCE  DOOR
  • CERAMICS MUSEUM - ENTRANCE DOOR
  • by matcrazy1
  • Send Photo to a Friend
  • The Ceramics Museum (Keramikos Muziejus) was placed in beautiful, authentic cellars of the Kaunas Town Hall. So, except both old and contemporary Lithuanian ceramic art I could admire stone walls and vaults of the cellars there. I admired both :-). Add temporarily exposition of ceramic art by one local artist I liked a lot.



    HOURS
    Tue - Sun: 11.00 am - 5.00 pm
    Monday: closed.


    TICKETS
    Adults - 3.00 Lt
    Pupils and students - 1.50 Lt.





    Leave a Comment

    Phone: +370 (37) 203572.
    Address: 15 Rotuses aikste, 3000 Kaunas, Lithuania
    Directions: The entrance door was at the southern wall of the Town Hall, right to the southern portal.
    Website: http://www.muziejai.lt/Kaunas/keramikos_muziejus.en.htm
    Rate      Not Helpful  1   2   3   4   5  Very Helpful 

    Things To Do: White church behind trees
  • Tip Rating:
  • Written by matcrazy1 on Sep 15, 2004
  • Kaunas Travel Guide
  • Send to a Friend
  • This white edifice behind trees, on my picture, housed Church of St. Francis Xavier and Jesuit Monastery (Sv. Pranciskaus Ksavero baznycia ir Jezuitu vienuolynas).

    Its facade was built in late Baroque style in 1666-1720 and reminded me many Baroque churches in Krakow, Poland. The church was closed during Soviet occupation and was restored to its original owners - Jesuit monks in 1990. Unfortunately the doors to the church were closed when I was there. Go there at time of holy service/mass.

    The holy service/mass schedule:
    Mon - Sat: 5.30 pm,
    Sun - 10.30 am, 12.30 pm.





    Leave a Comment

    Phone: +370 (37) 423098
    Address: Rotuses aikste 7-9, 3000 Kaunas, Lithuania
    Directions: At southern part of the Town Hall Square (Rotuses aikste).
    Website: http://www.inyourpocket.com/lithuania/kaunas/en/venue?id=LIKUENW0005
    Rate      Not Helpful  1   2   3   4   5  Very Helpful 

    Things To Do: Jesuits in Kaunas
  • Tip Rating:
  • Written by matcrazy1 on Sep 15, 2004
  • Kaunas Travel Guide
  • Send to a Friend
  • Kaunas - JESUIT  PROPERTIES  IN  KAUNAS
  • JESUIT PROPERTIES IN KAUNAS
  • by matcrazy1
  • Send Photo to a Friend
  • Jesuits, the Society of Jesus, is a religious order (for guys) in the Roman Catholic Church founded by Spanish cleric Saint Ignatius Loyola (1481-1556) and officially confirmed by Pope Paul III in 1540. They came to Lithuania before 1570 and put important role in Lithuanian and Kaunas history especially on field of education. Schools and colleges run by them were among the best that time. They founded the Jesuit college in 1649 in Kaunas.

    Kaunas Jesuit College and since 1924 High School (Kauno Jezuitu Gimnazija) were located in these buildings of the Church of St. Francis Xavier and Jesuit Monastery on my picture. The front facade of the church looked quite different and better than the backside. Surprized?

    No wonder, the construction in late Baroque style started in 1666, but this complex of buildings was destroyed by fires a few times. In 1825 it was turned into the Alexander Nevski orthodox church. Then, after World War I, the buildings were returned to the Jesuits and from 1962 they belonged to a vocational school and were given back to the believers in 1990.




    Leave a Comment

    Phone: +370 (37) 42 30 98
    Address: Rotuses aikste 9, 3000 Kaunas, Lithuania
    Directions: South of the Town Hall Square (Rotuses aikste). From its southeastern corner walk southwards Aleksoto gatve (street) and look to your right.
    Website: http://www.jesuit.lt/english/index.html
    Other Contact: gvsj@lcn.lt
    Rate      Not Helpful  1   2   3   4   5  Very Helpful 

    Things To Do: Late and... Lithuanian Baroque?
  • Tip Rating:
  • Written by matcrazy1 on Sep 15, 2004
  • Kaunas Travel Guide
  • Send to a Friend
  • Kaunas - LATE  AND  LITHUANIAN  BAROQUE
  • LATE AND LITHUANIAN BAROQUE
  • by matcrazy1
  • Send Photo to a Friend
  • Kaunas old town, in contrast to Vilnius, was not a Baroque city. A few Baroque edificies, including the Town Hall, were mixed in style. Additionally, all Baroque structures, I saw in Kaunas, looked different than Baroque masterpieces I saw in, say, Italy or France.

    Look at facade of late Baroque church of St. Francis. It had few curving forms and no domes. Was it Lithuanian school of Baroque? Typical Baroque facades were highly decorated by sculptures, columns, and oval decorations. Look at Baroque church in Wadowice, Poland, where Pope John Paul II was born and baptised here.




    Leave a Comment

    Phone: +370 (37) 423098
    Address: Rotuses aikste 7-9, 3000 Kaunas, Lithuania
    Directions: At southern part of the Town Hall Square (Rotuses aikste)
    Website: http://www.inyourpocket.com/lithuania/kaunas/en/venue?id=LIKUENW0005
    Rate      Not Helpful  1   2   3   4   5  Very Helpful 

    Things To Do: What a sculpture!
  • Tip Rating:
  • Written by matcrazy1 on Sep 15, 2004
  • Kaunas Travel Guide
  • Send to a Friend
  • This sculpture - fountain or maybe water well, on my picture, was placed in Town Hall Square (Rotusws aikste). The well didn't operate. The sculpture reminded me a little art of Maya or Aztecs... Am I wrong? Anyway, it was good example of Kaunas pretty small architecture.




    Leave a Comment

    Address: Rotuses aikste, 3000 Kaunas, Lithuania
    Directions: Main square of the Old Town, from the New Town walk westwards Vilniaus gatve - main walking street.
    Rate      Not Helpful  1   2   3   4   5  Very Helpful 

    1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 ... 11

    More Kaunas Tips

    OverviewThings to Do
    Tips: 101 - Photos: 101
    Restaurants
    Tips: 20 - Photos: 20
    Hotels & Accommodations
    Tips: 3 - Photos: 3
    Nightlife
    Tips: 20 - Photos: 20
    Off The Beaten Path
    Tips: 40 - Photos: 40
    Tourist Traps
    Tips: 3 - Photos: 3
    Warnings Or Dangers
    Tips: 20 - Photos: 20
    Transportation
    Tips: 20 - Photos: 20
    Local Customs
    Tips: 40 - Photos: 40
    Packing Lists
    Tips: 1 - Photos: 1
    Shopping
    Tips: 13 - Photos: 13
    Sports Travel
    Tips: 6 - Photos: 6
    General Tips
    Tips: 10 - Photos: 10

    Best Kaunas Travel Deals

    Hotels in Kaunas
    Book your hotel in Kaunas online. All hotels with special offers.

    Lithuania Hotels
    Hotel Photos, Info & Virtual Tours Find the Hotel You Want at Expedia!

    Discount Vilnius Hotels
    Massive savings & Free nights! Instant booking; live local help

    Hotels - Up to 75% Off
    Find the Cheapest Hotel Rooms Now Compare Rates up to 75% Off!

    Klaipeda Lithuania Hotels
    View Photos, Maps & Candid Reviews Save up to 70% at Yahoo Travel

    Sponsored Links


    Kaunas Forum

    Join a Discussion

    location of relatives on mother's side
    (1 replies, Tuesday, Oct 13, 2009, 9:16 AM UTC)

    A one day trip from Kaunas to Siauliai- is it possible?
    (4 replies, Tuesday, Oct 13, 2009, 10:01 AM UTC)

    Bookshops in Kaunas
    (4 replies, Tuesday, Feb 3, 2009, 5:42 PM UTC)

    » All Kaunas Posts
    » Ask about Kaunas

    FREE Deals Newsletter
    great deals, inside tips & no spam
      

    Kaunas Hotels

    Comments for matcrazy1 about Kaunas
    Hardryve Sun Feb 10, 2008 03:27 UTC
     you have hit the bullseye most beautiful country....glad to know such a place exists; shouts out to "LITHUANIA"..hey 'ayda' some kind of magic in this place for sure!!!!! other webmail you can reach me at; hardryve@gmail.com from the Hardryve: (John)
    Saulene Thu Jun 14, 2007 21:05 UTC
     There is written how to call special services: Police, Health Care, etc. without coins. ;)
    budapest8 Sat Mar 10, 2007 02:04 UTC
     Enjoyed reading your Local Customs tips! A great read. I remember the old CCCP type phones using the 10 and 5 kopek coins. I heard yesterday that a friend of mine in Gothenburg got a visitor from Riga and he only paid 160 SEK inc.taxes rtn trip flight.
    mvtouring Fri Mar 9, 2007 05:40 UTC
     Wow, you have some excellent tips here and very nice photo's ;-)
    See More Comments

    Best Kaunas Travel Deals

    Lithuania Hotels
    Find great Hotel deals in Lithuania Offical site Reval Hotels. Book Now

    Top 5 Star Resorts
    Luxury Resorts Per Your Needs & Style. Bid Now To Get Special Rates

    Kaunas Luxury Hotels
    Compare Top Travel Sites Find Lower Accommodation Rates!

    Sponsored Links

    About VirtualTourist10 Great Things to Do On VirtualTouristContact UsPress CenterHelpUser AgreementPrivacy Statement
    Virtual Tourist® ©1994-2009 VirtualTourist.com, Inc. All Rights Reserved.