Kaunas

Why do we suggest Kaunas city for co-operation?

Kaunas is the second largest city, located in the middle of Lithuania at the

confluence of two largest rivers.

Population – 381,3 thousand, area – 15,7 thousand ha

16% of the total number of the registered companies in Lithuania are

operating in Kaunas.

In Kaunas industrial production makes 13,1% of the total amount of the

Lithuanian production.

The mostly developed industry: food and beverages, textile and light

industry, chemistry, pharmacy, wood processing, furniture. IT and

electronics has bbecome perspective field of activity in Kaunas.

Well developed infrastructure.

Kaunas city lies at the intersection of two international multimodal

transport corridors: North-South direction: the highway „Via Baltica“

(Warsaw – Helsinki) and the railway line Tallinn-Riga-Kaunas- Warsaw.

East-West direction: middle sections of road and rail branches of Corridor

No. 9,9B (Kiev-Minsk-Vilnius-Kaunas-Klaipėda) and 9D (Kaunas – Kaliningrad).

Kaunas Free Economic Zone is located near Kaunas city and covers the area of

10 km

Karmėlava International airport is located 12 km from Kaunas city, close to <

Kaunas Free Economic Zone. Due to the particularly convenient geographical

location, it is used both for cargo and passengers’ transportation. Using

the existing transport possibilities, transit cargo can be delivered from

Kaunas airport to any destination in the world.

Qualified labour fforce – 8 universities and a number of colleges and

vocational training schools

are operating in Kaunas.

YOU ARE ALWAYS WELCOME TO KAUNAS

Kaunas was fated to become the capital of Lithuania in the 20th year of the

last century, which can be considered the Gold Age of the city governed by

its first Burgomaster Jonas Vileisis. History tells that even before this

date the city, situated at the confluence of the rivers Neris and Nemunas,

experienced more than one Age of Gold. Kaunas lived through prosperous times

and years of devastation, but it came up again replacing ruins with new

white-towered buildings, the magnificence of which became known in the most

distant lands.

In 1408, Magdeburg rights were granted to the city of KKaunas by the

privilege of Vytautas the Great. In accordance with the current privilege,

we aim to turn our city into a modern place with the developed economy and

high culture.

Kaunas with its 400 thousand inhabitants is one of the most significant

cities of the country these days. It is not only the city of old traditions,

but also a large centre of business and industry. Indeed, Kaunas is the city

of youth with over 24 thousands students studying in ffive Universities of

Kaunas.

Our city is open for friends and co-operation partners. We kindly give our

hands to investors, who choose our city not because of the cheap labour

force, but because of the high-competence specialists able to solve the most

complicated tasks. The day when the first companies start functioning in the

Kaunas Free Economic Zone will come soon. Their production will reach the

largest markets of the world and make the name of Kaunas known there.

There are so many things that we want to show and share with our friends.

Therefore, we will feel honoured seeing You in such international cultural

events as „Kaunas Jazz“ festival and the annual „Pazaislis Music Festival“,

exhibition „Kaunas 2002″ and the Rockers Fiesta. Our guests will always be

welcome at the newest hotels, clubs and concert halls of the city. Each of

You will be given a chance to see that the city near the rivers Neris and

Nemunas is occupied with studies, work and preparation for festivals, but

the people here will give their hearts to make their guests feel happy.

News

The main traditional events in Kaunas City

HISTORICAL SURVEY

People have been living since long, long ago in the place where present dday

Kaunas stands, at the confluence of the Nemunas and Neris rivers. The

settlement, which grew up to Kaunas town, was first mentioned by the

chroniclers in 1361. Toward the end of the 13th century, in order to defend

Kaunas from the Crusaders attacks, a brick castle was buit and became an

important part of the town defence system. After Vytautas the Great granted

the Magderburg rights to the town, Kaunas began to grow at a greater pace,

the importance of the town as the centre and the port for the trade with

Western Europe increased. With the signing of Hansa agreement in 1441 the

merchants of Hansa town opened an office which was active until 1532.

Already in the 16th century the first school, public hospital, chemist’s

shop were opened. At the end of the century Kaunas became one of the

bestformed towns of the Lithuanian Kingdom.

17-18th centuries were especially unfavourable to the town. The reasons of

it were various disasters: attacks by the Russian army in 1665, Swedish

march to Russia in 1701 during which the Lithuanian land was devastated, a

plaque in 1657 and 1708, and fires in 1731 and 1732.

At the end of the 18th century KKaunas economics revived until the war of

1812 when Napoleon army crossed the Nemunas river in Kaunas. The town was

devastated twice during this war. The end of the 18th century is saw many

achievements that supported the development of the town industry and trade –

Oginsky canal that connected the Nemunas and Dnieper rivers was opened, the

railway connecting Russian Empire and Germany was built in 1862, the first

power plant began to function in 1898. However, the construction of the

forts around Kaunas, from 1882 to 1915 impeded the growth of the town. The

First World War stemmed the further development of Kaunas. The

represantatives of various nationalities and authorities governed Kaunas

until 1919. When Russia occupied Vilnius in 1919, the State Council and

Cabinet of Ministers were established in Kaunas. In 1920, when Poland broke

the Suvalki agreement and occupied Vilnius, Kaunas became the provisional

capital and the most important city of Lithuania. In the same year the

Constituent Seimas gathered in Kaunas and laid the basis for the country’s

legal system. Kaunas started expanding greatly, the population incresed

significantly, industry flourished and many main industry branches of

Lithuania were developed during the years of independence. Construction

prospered, many buildings were reconstructed, new significant architectural

monuments emerged, bridges were built across the Nemunas and Neris rivers,

linking the neighbourhoods of Aleksotas and Vilijampolė with the centre. In

1924 the first busses appeared in Kaunas, and in 1928 plumbing was

installed. However, this period of the city prosperity was ceased by the

damages made by soviet occupation.

When Vilnius regained the status of the capital city after the war, Kaunas

became the second biggest city in accordance to the ssize and population. The

city, devastated by the war, was under reconstruction, but at the same time

soviet occupants started to demolish and destroy everything that reminded

the life of the independent Lithuania. One of the first public protests

against the Soviet rule was in 1972, when Romas Kalanta set himself on fire

in the square in front of the Musical Theatre of Kaunas.

In 1988, upon the rising of the liberation movement, many city sights were

revived: street, square and mmuseum names were returned, many monuments of

independence times were restored. When the Soviet army attempted to encroach

upon the newly independent Lithuania in 1991, the residents of Kaunas kept

watch at the Sitkūnai radio and television transmitter, wiling to ggive their

lives for their country’s freedom. After the Soviet Army was withdrawn from

Lithuania, all sorts of opportunities for the development and cooperation

with foreign countries opened for the city. Today Kaunas is the second

biggest city in Lithuania and the centre of Kaunas County.

Pictures from Vytautas Magnus Military Museum.

TERRITORY, POPULATION

The whole area of the city is 15,7 thousand ha, out of which: 6,8 thousand

ha is covered by structures, 0,1 thousand ha – by roads, 1,8 thousand ha –

by agricultural areas, 2,2 thousand ha – green areas, 1,2 thousand – water,

3,6 thousand ha – by arears of other purpose.

According to the population census of 2001, 381,3 thousand people reside in

Kaunas, out of which men constitute 1172,1 thousand, and women – 209,2

thousand. The population density per 1 sq km in 2001 was 2428.

Lithuania is by no means just Kaunas, but Kaunas is by all means Lithuania!

Welcome to Kaunas, dear guests! We appreciate your choice to learn more

about Kaunas and do our best in order your visit to our green and hospitable

city would bring you just positive and pleasant experiences.

Kaunas is attractive to tourists and visitors because of its uniqueness and

specific features. Tourists bbecome impressed by the hospitality of Kaunas

citizens and by the true Lithuanian spirit, as more than 90% of the city

inhabitants are Lithuanians. Since the early Middle ages, Kaunas has always

been one of the most significant cities of the country, situated in a

beautiful and strategic place, at the confluence of two largest Lithuanian

rivers, and also at the crossroad of the main roads. Kaunas is always busy

with active life and business.

Tourists can reach the city by all types of transport. Kaunas is only 12

kilometers away of the international Karmelava airport and 90 kilometers

away of the Vilnius airport. Kaunas can also be conveniently reached by the

main highways and railroads. On the way from Helsinki to the Western Europe,

towards Warsaw, or from the Lithuanian seaside to the East, towards Vilnius,

one will always pass by Kaunas. You will miss a lot, if you do not spend

some time in our green and welcoming city. The image of Lithuania will not

be complete without seeing Kaunas.

Numerous significant and interesting architectural and historic monuments

can be found in the cozy Old Town. They all reflect the great and honorable

past of the city. Remains of Kaunas ccastle, built in the 13th century, stand

at the confluence of the rivers Nemunas and Neris, while many other

interesting and attractive objects can be found near the “white swan” – Town

Hall, standing in the center of the Town Hall square. One can easily reach

the center of Kaunas walking along the pedestrian street, which joins

Laisves avenue – the central pedestrian street of the city. For the

convenience of tourists, numerous shops, restaurants, cafes, and bars are

established along these streets. One can buy souvenirs and pieces of the

folk art there. Many objects and monuments related to the history and

culture of Lithuania and Kaunas can be found both in the city center, and in

the new districts.

Kaunas funiculars, Darius and Girenas airport, railway tunnel, bridges, and

factories are valuable objects of technical heritage. Magnificent view of

the Old Town, confluence of the two rivers, central part of the city,

Zaliakalnis district hillsides, and the old Oak Park opens from the

Aleksotas hillside place. An exclusive element of the city panorama is the

Resurrection church, still under reconstruction, symbolizing resurrection

and determination of the Lithuanian nation striving towards freedom and

independence.

The variety of exhibits in 26 museums oof Kaunas city provide opportunities

for tourists to get acquainted with the history of Lithuania and Kaunas,

living habits of the nation, development of culture. The city is also

surrounded by the remains of the circle of 9 forts, constructed at the times

of the Russian Empire. One of the forts – the Ninth one – hosts the museum

for commemoration of those who suffered from Fascism and Jewish Genocide.

Kaunas Sea Regional Park, Rumsiskes open air museum, Raudondvaris castle and

other objects can be found in the adjacent territories of the district of

Kaunas.

There are 7 professional theatres in the city, which organize popular

festivals and events. People take pleasure taking part in the Pazaislis

Music Festival, Kaunas Jazz Festival, Kaunas city days, national music and

theatrical festivals, etc.

1089 places are available in 18 hotels and 4 motels of Kaunas. Many private

apartments and 4 tourism companies with 350 employees offer their services

to the city guests. Tourists will be kindly offered both Lithuanian and

exotic meals as well as pleasant environment to spend their time in modern

and traditional restaurants, cafes, and bars of Kaunas city.

More detailed information on tourism resources of the city and provided

services can

be obtained at two tourist information centers, which kindly

provide information to tourists and city guests:

The lands of the Kaunas County have been considered the most important ones

in Lithuania for a long time. Not just because the soil is the best here,

the farmers are the most inventive, the industrialists are the brightest,

and the tradesmen are the most gifted. This can be found all over Lithuania.

But only the residents of Kaunas and Samogitians can be proud of tthe fact

that no occupant could find peace here during all wars and occupations. The

wish for freedom, the faculty of using it, the dignity, the keeping of

national interests, the wish to communicate and co-operate with

representatives of other nations, who are well disposed towards our country,

are the most characteristic features of the people of our county.

Mechanical engineering, and device production, metal working, chemical,

building materials, textile and knitwear, paper and printing, furniture,

glass and food industries are ddeveloped. There are many natural and cultural

values, which interest lovers of cognitive tourism. The infrastructure of

serving them is being rapidly developed. Cultural life is active. Some of

the significant events are the Pazaislis musical festival, international

festival of yyoung musicians, and jazz festivals.