Lithuania > Kaunas district

Kaunas district

Kaunas district, covering an area of 149,500 hectars, surrounds the second largest city of Lithuania.. At the beginning of 2009, it had a population of 86,685 and is one of the most densely populated districts in Lithuania. There are 25 local administrative units (seniunijos), which embrace 371 villages, 9 settlements, and 3 towns.

The district contains the confluences of the three longest rivers of the country, the Nemunas, the Neris and the Nevezis, and is called by some the green eme-rald of Lithuania, famous for its landscape and cultural heritage. The area is rich in history, beautiful sights, and natural resources. Charming valleys and bends of the three longest Lithuanian rivers, Kauno Marin Regional Park, and the natural unspoiled landscape in reserves fascinate and enchant. The district hosts old architectural masterpieces, such as the 16th c. Gothic St.John the Baptiser Church in Zapyskis, the 17th c. estate in Raudondvaris, and Zemaitkiemis (Babtynas) estate, which will mark its 500th anniversary in 2009.

One of the oldest settlements in Lithuania, Babtai, lies in the district. Its archeological finds reach back to the Neolithic period. Vilkija on the steep Nemunas banks and Cekiske on the Dubysa are famous for their settlement heritage. Kulautuva and Kacergine are well known as quiet, cozy health resorts. Kaunas district counts 302 objects of cultural heritage.

Memorable views of Vilkija and the Nemunas bends open up from Ringoves Mound. Jauciakiai Mound (Vilkijos administrative unit, seniiinija) is a witness of Lithuania's history: allegedly, Pastuvos (Vilkijos) castle had been built on it, later destroyed by Teutonic Knights in 1369. Pypliq Mound on the left bank of the Nemunas, not far from the Nevezis mouth, reminds of the heroic and tragic Pilenq battle. Legends and stories surround Altoniskiq and Jadagoniq Mounds near Zapyskis.

In memory of the prominent Lithuanian pilots, S.Darius and S.Girenas, a roadside shrine was put up on Stabaunycios hill in Babtq adm.unit, and a monument in Padainupio village, Alsenq adm. unit. They were only Lithuanians who crossed the Atlantic in the first half of the 20th c. (1933 m.), covered the second longest cross Atlantic distance in the world without landing, and reached the fourth longest flight duration.

Postwar guerrilla resistance fights are memorialized by a cross and a monument in the place where J. Luksa- Daumantas, the leader of Birutes Squad, „Tauro" district, perished.

Kaunas district is the land of knygnesiai (persons who smuggled Lithuanian language books printed in the Latin alphabet into Lithuanian-speaking areas of the Russian Empire). They are commemorated in Zapyskis, Babtai, Garliava, Karmelava, and Rokqadm. unit. Garliava pharmacist and active cultural figure, K. Aglinskas, teachers J.Andziulaitis, K.Sakalauskas-Vanagelis, J.Macys-Kekstas, and knygnesiai (persons who smugg-led Lithuanian books printed in the Latin alphabet into Lithuania) established the Society of Lithuanian Book Lovers and Distributors which promoted the Lithuanian language. K. Aglinskas often hosted Jonas Basanavicius, one of the founders of the Lithuanian State.

In Saliq village (Domeikavos adm.), the Andziuliai family have preserved a unique underground printing house “ab“ in their homestead. At present, it is a branch of Vytautas the Great Military Museum. In this printing house, national, Catholic, and political literature was printed in the years 1981-1991. It was the only underground printing house in Soviet Lithuania that was not detected by KGB.

SitkQnai and Juragiai with their monuments comme-morating the events of January 13, 1991, have been included in the list of New History memorials.

An extremely attractive place for active leisure is Pagonijos Rock, the only rock for climbing in the Baltic States. Visitors can test their courage, stamina, and dexterity by taking one of the 12 different paths to climb the 13,5 meterhigh rock. In 2007, a new attraction, “Pagonijos Web", was introduced: extreme rope climbing in trees at the height of 10 metres.

The internationally known Nemuno ziedas circuit for car and bike racing is located near Kacergine, 16 km from Kaunas. Various auto-moto races and championships are held all the year round; extreme driving training sessions take place regularly.

Water tourism is gaining popularity in Kaunas district. Passenger ships Tolstojus, Svyturys, Deima, owned by Inland Waterways Authority (Vidaus vandens keliq direkcija), navigate along the Nemunas tourist route. In 2007, two mobile jetties were opened for tourists in Vilkija and Zapyskis. A ferry in Vilkija carries tourists across the Nemunas. Leisure boats Algirdas and Nemunas offer their services for passengers who want to take a boat trip round the Kauno marios.

Kaunas district is easy to reach. Both the Via-Baltica and Vilnius-Kaunas-Klaipeda motorways cross Kaunas district. The biggest, newest, and most technically- advanced Kaunas International Airport is in Karmelava, minutes from the Kaunas city centre. The district also offers the Nemunas water route Kaunas-Jurbarkas- Klaip¸da, and the local water route Birstonas-Kaunas.

Kaunas district has ambitions to become an attractive tourist attraction centre. Future plans include national water, bike and car tourism routes, as well as rapid development of an inviting tourism infrastructure.