The best walks and hikes in Lithuania

Usually, one, occasionally two, named saints are the patron saint of a church – and thus also of the parish it serves. However, this church in Kaunas took a different approach: it was not dedicated to one of the – almost countless – saints, but to Jesus Christ himself, specifically to his resurrection. This special and relatively rare patronage broadens the Christian perspective from the cross of Good Friday to the Easter perspective of hope: for suffering and death are only seemingly the end, but – in the infinite love of the triune God – they are overcome by the resurrection of Jesus, which we as Christians also hope for, leading to eternal life.

Kaunas has a beautiful old town. In the evenings, you can relax in one of the many bars.

The castle was originally built in 1367.

Beautiful town hall, called the "White Swan" by the locals.

No matter what you believe in or who you worship, the confluence of two Lithuania’s biggest rivers, Nemunas and Neris, is a place to restore your energy levels. It’s also sometimes called the birthplace of Kaunas. Some sources say this is where a grove of Milda, the Lithuanian goddess of love, courting, friendship and freedom, once was – maybe this is why the place has always been so popular among romantics. Setting a date at the confluence is a very traditional and special thing to do! Every Thursday, a Romuvian (Romuva is a contemporary continuation of the traditional ethnic religion of the Baltic peoples, more than 5,000 people consider themselves Romuvians) mass is held at the aukuras [fire altar] in the Confluence park.

Not Henry Wilson but Jonas Vileišis (January 3, 1872 – June 1, 1942) who was a Lithuanian politician. From September 30, 1921 until July 2, 1931, he served as mayor of Kaunas, the temporary capital of Lithuania. Under his direction Kaunas grew rapidly and became a truly modern city. A water and wastewater system, costing over 15 million Lithuanian litas, was put in place; the city expanded from 18 square km to 40; more than 2,500 buildings were built, including three modern bridges over the Neris and Nemunas rivers. All the city streets were paved, horse-drawn transportation was replaced with modern bus lines, new suburbs were planned and built, and new parks and squares were established. The foundations for a social security system were laid, three new schools were built, and new public libraries, including the Vincas Kudirka library, were established. He maintained many contacts in other European cities and as a result Kaunas was an active participant in European urban life.

Jonas Vileišis (January 3, 1872 – June 1, 1942) was a Lithuanian lawyer, politician, and diplomat. From September 30, 1921 until July 2, 1931, he served as mayor of Kaunas, the temporary capital of Lithuania. Under his direction Kaunas grew rapidly and became a truly modern city. A water and wastewater system, costing over 15 million Lithuanian litas, was put in place; the city expanded from 18 square kilometers to 40; more than 2,500 buildings were built, including three modern bridges over the Neris and Nemunas rivers. All the city streets were paved, horse-drawn transportation was replaced with modern bus lines, new suburbs were planned and built, and new parks and squares were established. The foundations for a social security system were laid, three new schools were built, and new public libraries, including the Vincas Kudirka library, were established. He maintained many contacts in other European cities and as a result Kaunas was an active participant in European urban life.

Kaunas State Musical Theatre is the second largest theatre in Lithuania, which has been distinguished for many years by its extremely large and loyal audience of visitors. The creative activity of Kaunas State Musical Theatre generates the creation of professional musical stage art, the development of musical stage art traditions, the fostering of Lithuanian and world theatre art values, and the presentation of contemporary national musical theatre. The artistic activity plan formed by the theatre largely satisfies the artistic needs of not only the Kaunas region, but also the population of Lithuania, and provides an opportunity to see performances of a high professional and artistic level. The building dates back to 1892, when a small theatre designed by Kaunas province architect Justinas Golinevičius was built next to what is now known as the City Garden. The decision to build a Kaunas City Theatre was made in 1891, and the first play was staged there on January 9, 1892.