Transcript Kaunas
KAUNAS Made by: Domicelė, Aurėja, Aivara, Eimantas, Justinas, Aistė, Lina and Lukas SOME FACTS ABOUT KAUNAS Kaunas is the second biggest city in Lithuania with the population of more than 415,700 and the area of 156 sq. km. It was founded in the 12th century and owes its existence to its favourable geographic position. Kaunas is situated in the centre of Lithuania, at the confluence of the two biggest rivers the Nemunas and the Neris, 100 km from the Lithuanian capital Vilnius and 250 km from the port city Klaipeda. CONFLUENCE OF THE NEMUNAS AND THE NERIS There is a confluence of the two largest rivers the Nemunas and the Neris. The Nemunas is also the longest river in Lithuania. The confluence closes Kaunas Old Town. Kaunas is believed to be founded in 1030 although it was first mentioned in written sources in 1361. KAUNAS CASTLE There is a famous Kaunas Castle. This brick castle on the confluence of two rivers – the Nemunas and the Neris - was built in the late 13th century in order to resist the attacks of the Crusaders. It was the first defence castle in Lithuania having played a significant role in the defence system of the city. Since 2003, the office of Kaunas Tourist Information Centre has been located in the castle. KAUNAS CHRIST RESURECTION CHURCH There is a panoramic view of Kaunas from the top of Kaunas Christ Resurection Church (Kauno Kristaus Prisikėlimo bažnyčia). The idea to build the church gained ground in 1922. The church had to be a symbol of gratitude to God for the regained independence of Lithuania (in 1918) and freedom in the city of Kaunas. Kaunas was a temporary capital of Lithuania at that time. However, the church was built only in 1940s. KAUNAS CATHEDRAL Kaunas Cathedral is the only church in Lithuania in the Gothic style with Basilica design. Have been reconstructed a number of times, it acquired architectural features of Renaissance and Baroque. The Cathedral has 9 altars and crystal-type arches in the sacristy. ST. MICHAEL THE ARCHANGEL’S CHURCH/THE GARRISON CHURCH/SOBORAS There is a photograph of St. Michael the Archangel’s Church also known as the Garrison Church (Įgulos bažnyčia). The other popular name used by citizens is Soboras. The church closes the Freedom Avenue (Laisvės alėja). Initially it was built as a Russian Orthodox church at the end of 19th century but later changed into Roman Catholic as Lithuania is a Catholic country. There are catacombs in the undergrounds. FREEDOM AVENUE This photo was taken in the middle of the Freedom Avenue (Laisvės alėja). It’s a pedestrian street which is the longest in Eastern Europe (1.7 km). It stretches from the Garrison Church to the Kaunas Old Town. There are a lot of tiny shops in which you can buy various souvenirs related to Lithuania. The main buildings, such as the Central Post, Kaunas State Musical Theatre, Kaunas State Drama Theatre and Kaunas Red Cross Hospital, together with lots of museums are located along the avenue. STATUE OF LIBERTY This monument is a Statue of Liberty which is in the garden of Vytautas the Great War Museum (not far away from the Freedom Avenue). The monument was opened in 1928. The museum was built in 1919-1921 as a memorial of through difficulties regained independence. TOWN HALL OF KAUNAS In the middle there is the Town Hall of Kaunas (Kauno Rotušė). It combines the elements of Gothic, Baroque and early Classicism and is often called the White Swan of the city. In the Middle Ages the Town Hall was the centre of Kaunas with the main market place. After the reconstruction of the building in 1973, the Town Hall was turned into the Wedding Palace and in its basement the Museum of Ceramic Art has settled. It is situated in the heart of old town, not very far away from the confluence of Nemunas and Neris. The Town Hall was built in 1562 and has been reconstructed several times. Weddings, receptions of honorable guests etc. take place in it. VYTAUTAS’ THE GREAT CHURCH On the right side there is Vytautas’ the Great Church (Vytauto Didžiojo bažnyčia) and on the left side Vytautas’ the Great Bridge (also known as Aleksoto bridge). Vytautas the Great was the Great Duke of Lithuania in the 15th century. This church is one of the oldest in the city. Obviously, it is situated in the old town. As you can see from the photo, there has been a severe flooding in Kaunas and all Lithuania. The Nemunas flooded in March. KAUNAS ZOO Kaunas Zoo is the only one zoo in all Lithuania. It is set up in the old oak grove and has around 270 species of animals and birds. Of course, it is not as stunning as, for instance, the Berlin Zoological Garden, but if you are a real animal-lover, you will definitely like it. COME AND SEE MORE!