KAUNAS CASTLE in the 14Th Century, a Stone Castle Was Built at the Confluence of the Nemunas and Neris Rivers to Resist Crusaders’ Attacks
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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. RAUDONDVARIS CASTLE Approximately 9 km away from Kaunas on both sides of the highway to Jurbarkas a beautiful town of Raudondvaris welcomes you. The architectural ensemble of the town is located on the upper terrace of the river Nevėžis valley. The Raudondvaris Manor complex consists of the castle, subsidiary builings, an orangery and the stables. All the buildings are surrounded by a park. Various concerts, festivals, exhibitions and other events take place here today. BELVEDERIS MANOR Belvederis Manor is a gem of Italian Renaissance architecture from the 19th century, a villa-style structure designed by Pietro de Rosi. The unique harmony between the natural environment and the exceptional architecture gave the estate its name; Belvedere means beautiful view in Italian. The vivid beauty of the manor and park are emphasised by a unique series of 365 steps that, according to the fancy of the designers, take you from the palace to the banks of the Nemunas. VELIUONA MANOR Veliuona Manor is a fine example of Neo-Classical wooden architecture dating back to the 19th century. Two hundred years of tumultuous history have barely touched the exterior. This oblong wooden building with its prominent Doric columns adorning the entrance really catches the eye even today. RAUDONĖ CASTLE Raudonė Castle, one of the biggest and best preserved residential castles in Lithuania, was built in the late 16th century. Jeronimas Krišpinas Kiršenšteinas (Jan Hieronim Kryszpin-Kirszensztein), the son of a merchant of Prussian origin, built this fortified palace in 1600. A coat of arms is still embedded in one of the walls of this Renaissance-style structure. Today, Raudonė houses a secondary school for some very lucky local children. Tourists too can visit to get a feeling for the authentic stonework of the old castle’s walls and enjoy a panorama of the Nemunas valley from the 33.5-metre tower. PANEMUNĖ CASTLE The 17th century Renaissance-style Panemunė Castle is perhaps the region’s most authentic residence, with a surviving pond system and park. A Lithuanian noble of Hungarian origin, Yanushas Eperyeshas, built a residential castle for his family here in 1604-1610. Construction began on a natural hill where a massive castle arose towering above the river with a defensive wall and four-storey towers. It is believed that the project was designed by the architect P. Nonhardt. JURBARKAS MANOR In the central park of Jurbarkas, by the River Mituva, 19th century buildings still stand that once belonged to the owner of the Jurbarkas estate, Count Platon Zubov, and later became a summer residence for Count Ilarion Vasilčikov. Life is still bustling in the old buildings. Jurbarkas Tourist Information Centre is situated inside what was once one of the residential buildings for the servants. Jurbarkas Region Museum is located in the other. Concerts and art exhibitions find space in the reconstructed and renovated former Russian Orthodox church. A memorial museum to the sculptor Vincas Grybas, an art studio and a gallery can be found in the estate’s western buildings. .