Kaunas

Kaunas Castle

In the 14th century, a stone castle was built at the confluence of the Nemunas and Neris rivers to resist Crusaders’ attacks. It was the first stone castle in Lithuania which played a significant role in the city's defence system. Kaunas Castle is a Gothic building with two rows of protective walls and is the only castle of this type in Lithuania. A settlement started forming around the castle, growing into the present-day city. This castle was first mentioned in written records in 1361, when the Teutonic Knights were preparing to attack it. After a severe battle in 1362, the castle was rebuilt several times, but lost its significance in the 15th c. When Kaunas was granted Magdeburg rights in 1408, town activity started moving to the market place (later - Town Hall Square). The preserved remains of the castle reveal its original structure, shape, method of construction and provide important information about the development of Lithuanian architecture in the 14th century. 

Town Hall

Often called the White Swan, the Town Hall’s construction was begun in 1542. The building encompasses Gothic, Baroque and early Classicism elements. In the Medieval Ages, the Town Hall, along with the main market place, was the centre of Kaunas. After its latest reconstruction in 1970, the Town Hall became the Wedding Palace with the Ceramics Museum in its basement. 

Avenue of Freedom

This 1.7 km-long street was built in the 19th century. Laisvės Avenue, connecting the new and old parts of the city, is a pedestrian street. The Avenue runs almost precisely in the East-West direction. 
 

Pazaislis Ansemble of the Church of Holy Virgin Mary and CamaldollI Abbey

It ranks among the most beautiful Baroque-style buildings in Lithuania. The church and monastery were built for Camaldolese (Benedictine) monks in the 17th century under the supervision of Italian masters from Florence (Michelangelo Palloni, Joan Merli, and Pietro Perti). Pažaislis music festivals are held here in summer. 

St. Francis Xavier church and Jesuits

The church was constructed in late Baroque style in the early 18th century. In 1787, the church was given to the Order of Franciscan Monks, later it served as an Orthodox Church, as A. Nevsky's Cathedral and as a technical college. In 1990, the Church was returned to the Jesuit community, who opened a Jesuit gymnasium in the former college building.                                                                                                                        

The Tallest Marine aquarium in the Baltic States!

MEGA shopping and leisure centre stands out for its marine aquarium of 10 meters height, 4 meters wide and 11 meters length, while its volume is 170,000 liters. It is the highest aquarium in the Baltic States and also considered as one of the top ten highest aquariums in the world. MEGA aquarium is one of the most spectacular sights in the country!
It took 3 months for specialists from USA, Australia, South Africa, and Lithuania to build this aquarium. It is made of 90 tons of acrylic plates and 20 tons of stainless steel. The thickness of aquarium’s walls reaches 30 cm.
MEGA aquarium houses more than 30 various kinds of fish from the Atlantic Ocean, the Indian Ocean, the Pacific Ocean, the Red Sea, the Mediterranean Sea, the Caribbean Sea, in total more than 800 tropical fish and six sharks. Corals in the aquarium have been brought from the Republic of South Africa.
Sharks and other fish are fed and fostered by a professional team of divers and biologists. Sharks and fishes are fed every day at 10 a.m. and 5 p.m., on Saturdays - 1 p.m. Do not miss your chance to witness this!                                                                                   

Source: www.visit.kaunas.lt