An ancient defensive fortress, the only such structure in Lithuania. It was built in the XIII century to repel the attacks of the Teutonic knights and was of great strategic importance. It was built at the confluence of two rivers. It was destroyed several times and rebuilt anew. Only a third of the castle with 2 towers has survived to this day. There is a museum dedicated to the history of the city and the fortress, as well as exhibitions of paintings and sculptures. Santacos Park is located nearby.

This is the most popular pedestrian street in Kaunas. Translated from Lithuanian – Freedom Alley. It was founded in the XIX century. Length – 1.7 km, width – 24-27 meters. There are no vehicles here and smoking is prohibited. Rows of trees are planted along the alley, flower beds are laid out, there are many benches for recreation. There is a large assortment of shops, restaurants, theaters, hotels, museums, nightclubs. There are many monuments and ancient buildings of historical value.

The Kovno defensive fortress around the city was built at the end of the XIX century and consisted of 8 forts. The last, the ninth, was built on the eve of the First World War. In Soviet times it was used as a prison. And during the Nazi occupation, the fort turned into a concentration camp, where Jews and Poles were shot en masse. Today, a museum of genocide and mass murder has been created here, as well as a large memorial in memory of the thousands of victims of the Nazis.

It rises in the heart of the historical part of the city – on the Town Hall Square. It was built in the XVI century, was often rebuilt, therefore it combines elements of different styles. The town hall housed a prison, commercial warehouses, an Orthodox church, a royal residence, a fire station, a theater, a city archive, and an institute. The last reconstruction was carried out in 2005. Today there is a city museum dedicated to the history of Kaunas, equipped with an observation deck.

An architectural monument. One of the largest Catholic churches in Lithuania. It began to be built in the XV century in the Gothic style. 2 centuries later, a structure appeared in the form of a rectangular basilica, 100 years later a 55-meter bell tower was completed, and in the XIX century – a chapel. The interior decoration in the Baroque style has been preserved since the XVIII century. 9 altars have great artistic value. The temple is known for the ancient image of the Suffering Mother of God giving healing.

The white stone building in the Baroque style was erected in the XVII-XVIII centuries. Belongs to the Jesuit Church. It is located on the central square, near the Town Hall. It has two tall bell towers. There is an observation deck on the roof. The church was repeatedly passed from hand to hand – first to the Franciscans, then to the Orthodox Church, the gymnasium. In Soviet times, it housed a gym with a sauna. It was returned to the faithful and re-consecrated in 1992.

The grandiose white stone cathedral was built at the end of the XIX century by order of Alexander II. It was intended for the Russian garrison. The height of the building is 50 meters, one of the 5 domes has a diameter of 16 meters and is considered the largest in Lithuania. The temple was built in the neo-Byzantine style and can accommodate up to 2000 people. Decorated with a large number of columns, sculptures, stucco and gilding. In Soviet times, it was given over to a museum. Since 1990 it belongs to the Catholic Church.

It was built in 1400 by order of Prince Vytautas the Great for Franciscan monks. It has a high bell tower. It is built of fine red brick in the style of Hanseatic Gothic. All geometric patterns and decorative elements on the facade are exceptionally regular in shape, which is typical for this style. The interior has not been preserved. Everything contained in the temple was made in the XX century. The church is functioning, available for inspection, but not during divine services.

Compact Gothic building in one of the corners of the Old Town. An architectural monument. One of the oldest brick churches in Lithuania. It was built in the XV century, later the bell tower was completed. The most valuable shrine is the cross with the crucifixion of Christ, which is credited with miraculous power. In Soviet times, warehouses were located in the walls of the church. In the 80s, they wanted to demolish it completely, but the public prevented it. Now the temple has been restored, services are held in it.

It was built in the 30s of the last century. It is a majestic stylish structure made of white stone with a height of 70 meters. Accommodates up to 5,000 people. In Soviet times, it was turned into a workshop of a radio factory where televisions were produced. Currently belongs to the Catholic Church, services are held. On the roof of the church there is an observation deck, one of the best in the city. The temple is located on the hill of Jalakalnis, which can be reached by funicular.

One of the most beautiful monasteries in Europe in the Baroque style. It was founded in 1667 and was intended for Kamaldol monks. It was built by Italian craftsmen. The main gem of the complex is a magnificent church with two symmetrical towers and an impressive central dome. Inside the temple is lavishly decorated with paintings, frescoes, bas-reliefs, stucco molding, marble wall decoration. Currently, the monastery is active, female, open to tourists.

The first professional drama theater in Lithuania. It was established in 1920. It is located in a building built in 1928 on the famous Laisves Alley. After a large-scale reconstruction, it is one of the most modern theaters in the Baltic region. His current repertoire consists of 30 successful productions, including for children and young people. Some performances use audio visualization for people with poor eyesight, as well as simultaneous translation.

The year of creation is 1940. It is located in the building of the city theater, built at the end of the XIX century. The best theater directors of Lithuania and other European countries stage musical performances here. Every season the theater pleases its audience with at least two premieres. His modern repertoire consists of operas, operettas, musicals, ballet performances and children's productions. The Symphony Orchestra of the theater annually holds an instrumental concert with the participation of famous performers.

It was opened in 1921. The name of the talented artist and composer Mikaloyus Ciurlenis was given in 1944. The museum contains his paintings, manuscripts, letters and personal belongings, recordings of the most famous musical works are available for listening. There are also collections of Lithuanian paintings of the past centuries, wooden sculpture, numismatics, folk art objects. The museum's funds number about 330 thousand exhibits today.

It was opened in 1966 thanks to the artist A. Zhmuidzinavicius, who collected figurines and masks of various evil spirits for 60 years. A museum was organized in the artist's house after his death. Here are figures of devils made of different materials – ceramics, leather, metal, wood. And also a lot of things in the form of devils – mugs, pipes, candlesticks, ashtrays, etc. The unusual collection consists of 3,000 exhibits brought from 23 countries of the world, and continues to be replenished.

The military history of Lithuania, since ancient times, is presented in the expositions of this museum. It was founded in 1919. There are about 200 thousand exhibits in its funds. Samples of military equipment, cold and firearms, ammunition and all kinds of military paraphernalia, archaeological finds, paintings, books and documents testify to past hostilities. The memorial exposition of the museum in the black marble hall is dedicated to all those who died for the independence of Lithuania.

One of the best art museums in the country. It is named after the Lithuanian art collector Mikolas Zhilinskas. It is located in a modern building specially built for the gallery in 1989. There are unique examples of ancient Egyptian art, works by Dutch, German and Italian painters, as well as Baltic authors, magnificent collections of porcelain and ancient tapestries. An exhibition for blind people has been organized.

It was established in 1936. Located on the Town Hall Square, in an old mansion of the XVI century. The museum has over 17 thousand exhibits. Among them are antique pharmacy tableware, medicine bottles, scales, medical instruments, books, personal belongings of doctors and pharmacists, furniture and equipment for medical offices and much more. The reconstruction of the Lithuanian pharmacy of the XIX century is of interest. It is advisable to visit the museum with a guide.

A complex of old houses and outbuildings in a picturesque place Rumshiskes, 18 km from Kaunas. The largest ethnographic museum in Europe. It opened to the public in 1974. On the territory of 175 hectares, the life of a traditional Lithuanian village of the past centuries has been recreated. Visitors have the opportunity to see the interior of residential buildings, get acquainted with folk crafts, ride britzkas, taste national cuisine, buy Lithuanian souvenirs.

It was established in 1990 on the territory of the oldest airfield in Lithuania. The expositions include about 40 pieces of equipment: gliders, airplanes, helicopters. Among the exhibits are models of aircraft, engines, pilots' uniforms, personal belongings of famous pilots, aviation signs of many countries, photographs and documents. Visitors have the opportunity to try out a real flight simulator. The pride of the museum is a rare ANBO–I aircraft, created in a single copy.

During the war years, Japanese diplomat Tiune Sugihara helped escaped prisoners of Nazi camps to leave the country by issuing them life-saving transit visas. Thus, he saved the lives of more than 6,000 Jews, for which he received the title of "Righteous among the Nations of the World." The museum dedicated to him is located in the building of the former Japanese consulate. It was opened in 2001. The consul's office, living room, library are recreated here, numerous photo and video documents are presented.

A powerful building in the style of late "fiery" Gothic was erected in the XV century by Hanseatic merchants and served as their office-warehouse. Its name is associated with the pagan god-thunderer, whose statuette was found in the XIX century in a brick wall. The house was reconstructed several times, but the facade remained unchanged. Currently, the building belongs to the Jesuit Order. There is a gymnasium, a museum of the poet Adam Mickiewicz, a hall for exhibitions and concerts.

The two-storey mansion in the neo-Baroque style was built in 1846. Later, a small garden was laid out around it. Since 1918 it has been the property of the Lithuanian government and the residence of the head of state. Until 1940, when Lithuania became part of the USSR, 3 presidents worked and lived here. There are monuments to them in the garden. Today the palace building belongs to the Art Museum. There are exhibitions dedicated to former presidents and the history of the palace.

The largest multifunctional indoor arena in the Baltic States. It was built in 2011 on the banks of the Neman River. It is designed for 15,000 spectators. The home ground of the basketball club "Zalgiris" is the most titled of all Lithuanian clubs, a multiple winner of the Lithuanian and former USSR championships, and in 1999 – the winner of the Euroleague. It is used not only for basketball matches, but also for other sports, as well as entertainment events and concerts.

The year of foundation is 1923. The area is 63 hectares . It is located on the territory of a former estate of the XIX century, where a house, a small fort, statues, ponds with bridges have been preserved. It belongs to a local university. The outdoor garden consists of 5 thematic zones: flowers, fruits and berries, local rare plants, medicinal flora, dendrological collection. The greenhouses contain heat-loving exotic plants from all over the world. In total, about 7000 plant species are represented in the botsad.

It is located in the picturesque residential area of Jalakalnis. The area is 84 hectares . The oak grove in the park is the largest in Europe. The age of some giant oaks exceeds 300 years. This is all that remains of the large oak forest that surrounded the city, but was cut down in the past centuries. There are also other deciduous trees here. The valley of the Girstupis River flowing through the park is named after the poet Adam Mickiewicz. He loved being here.

The only zoo in the country. It is located in Azhuolinas Park. The year of foundation is 1938. About 3,000 animals live on an area of 16 hectares. There are kangaroos and hippos, giraffes and reindeer, monkeys and bison, numerous representatives of the feline. The pride of the zoo is llamas, they participate in city parades and events. There is also a poultry house, serpentarium, terrarium and aquarium. On the territory of the park there is a zoo museum, children's attractions, a souvenir shop.

On the whole territory of Lithuania, a similar type of urban transport has been preserved only in Kaunas. To date, two lines are functioning, along which colored wagons have been moving for more than 80 years. One of them, the oldest, is laid on the hill of Jalakalnis, the second leads to the top of Mount Alexotas. In the early 90s, the boarding stations and carriages were thoroughly renovated. During the trip, music sounds in them. The Kaunas funiculars have been declared a cultural monument.

One of the best panoramic platforms of Kaunas is located on Aleksotas Hill. From here you can see the Neman and Neris rivers, the Town Hall Square, the Kaunas Castle, the bell towers and spires of churches, the Jalakalnis hill. The observation deck can be reached by a funicular, which has been operating here since 1935. It connects the top of Alexotas with the Old Town. Travel time is about 2 minutes. Those who wish can climb the stairs on foot, for this you will have to overcome 250 steps.

It is located on the banks of the Neman River, in the vicinity of the village of Arlavishkes. Juniper thickets cover an area of 5 hectares and are recognized as a natural monument. The age of some bushes exceeds 100 years, and the height reaches 12 meters. The hiking trail laid through the valley, over the cliff, is recognized as the most picturesque introductory trail in Lithuania. Its length is more than 1 km. Rare plants are found between juniper thickets, as well as some species of butterflies.