Kaunas
This endless rival of Vilnius, the capital of Lithuania during the period of internal wars and the city of the rich history is located in the confluent of the two major rivers of Lithuania, Neris and Nemunas, close to the Kaunas lake, the city flourished due to its important fluvial harbour and its strategical position in the crossroads of commercial important roads, and it was a part of the Hanseatic League. Due to this strategic position the city was almost destroyed several times. However, the city had been constantly restoring and remained a large number of ancient monuments. Kaunas has an important Jewish past, a community which before the World War II constituted a fourth part of the whole population of the city. Today Kaunas is considered to be a friendly student city with beautiful architecture and museums.
Panoramic tour of Kaunas. During the panoramic visit we will be admiring the Castle of the 14th century, the Government Square and the magnificent Churches among which the Neo-Byzantine Church of St. Miguel Archangel, the Resurrection Church with its wonderful views of the city and the Cathedral, the biggest gothic edifice of Lithuania.
Visit of the Monastery of Pazaislis. This is the biggest conventual complex of Lithuania and the best example of baroque art in the country. It was constructed in 17th century by the Camaldoli order, conducted by the Italian architects. The Russian invaders turned it into an orthodox church during 19th century and later, during Soviet epoch they used it for different purposes such as a hospital or a museum. Since the independence of Lithuania in 1991, the monastery was returned in the Catholic religion and entirely restored. In summer it is a seat of famous musical festivals.
Visit of the Ethnographical open air Museum at Rumsiskes. Situated inside the Kaunas Reservoir Regional Park, next to the water and among landscapes of stunning beauty, this museum is one of the biggest of its kind in Europe. It hosts 140 authentic farms and houses, built mostly during the 18th and 19th centuries, brought from all Lithuanian regions and reassembled here. Many of them have kept intact their interiors, with all their working tools, furniture and decorations. The buildings are grouped in complexes: isolated farms, small villages and towns, thus permitting to discover the way of living in the different kind of settlements. Many traditional activities are performed both inside and outside the houses. The museum organizes also different folkloric events all over the year.
