Panevezys

Panevezys is one of the biggest cities in Lithuania and the fifth largest by the population. This is an industrial city and can’t be called a tourist centre. Still it is popular among tourists thanks to the highway Vilnius-Riga which passes through Panevezys.

Panevezys is situated on the river Njavezhis. The name of the city comes from the name of the river. Lithuanian Grand Duke Aleksander was the founder of the city. He presented the lands near the village Ramigal to the local priest and obliged him to build a cathedral there. The 7 of September 1503 is considered to be the date when the city appeared. On this day the charter of immunity was signed. In 2003 the monument to Grand Duke Aleksander was built in Panevezys when people celebrated the 500th anniversary of the city.

The architecture of Panevezys has a classical style of 19-20 centuries. You may visit there the oldest bookshop in Lithuania (1905), the first gymnasium where all the subjects were taught in Lithuanian (1915) and the building of the Bank (1930).

There is a hotel “Njavizhis” on the central square Lisves in Panevezys. Not far from the square there is a cozy park of Sanvages. There are sculptures of such famous Lithuanian sculptors as Buckas, Smilingis and others. There also are a lot of sculptures in Panevezys that have become its visit cards.

There is a very old catholic Cathedral of Holy Trinity in Panevezys. It was built in the first half of the 18th century. The destiny of the cathedral can be compared with the destiny of the whole country. Since it had been founded the Cathedral became an orthodox church (when Lithuania was a part of the Russian Empire) and then it was an exhibition pavilion (when Lithuania was one of the republics of the former Soviet Union). In 1989 it was given back to Catholics.

The theatres of Panevezys are famous all over the world. Panevezys Drama Theatre is famous for its talented actors. There is also a Puppet Theatre in Panevezys.

Panevezys is a very important transport centre. It is situated near the ultramodern highway “Via Baltic” that сonnects Vilnius and Riga. That’s why the most popular type of tourism in the city is the so called “transit tourism”. The most interesting sight of the city is considered to be the oldest in Europe narrow-gauge railway which was founded in 1899. It is still working. You may travel to the nearest town Anickshie by this railway. It will be a nice and unforgettable tour.