LITHUANIA – History, Sightseeing, Curiosities
LITHUANIA – History, Sightseeing, Curiosities
Lithuania, situated on the eastern coast of the Baltic Sea is one of the three Baltic States, alongside Latvia and Estonia.
Lithuania is recognised as the geographical centre of Europe, according to calculations made by France’s National Institute of Geography in 1989. This point is located in the village of Purnuškės, about 26 kilometres north of Vilnius. Today, it is marked by a special monument surrounded by stars symbolising the EU.
In the 14th century, Lithuania stood as one of the largest and most powerful countries in Europe, its Grand Duchy encompassing vast territories from the Baltic to the Black Sea. A key moment in its history happened in 1386 when Grand Duke Jogaila became a Christian and married the Polish Queen, forming the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth. This alliance lasted for centuries, influencing Lithuania’s politics.
After the Third Partition of Poland in 1795, Lithuania became part of the Russian Empire and lost its independence, facing heavy Russification. It declared independence in 1918 after World War I but soon lost Vilnius to Poland, causing tensions. Lithuania was occupied by the USSR in 1940, then by Nazi Germany. After being re-occupied by the Soviets in 1944, it experienced decades of Soviet rule before regaining independence on 11 March 1990. Today, Lithuania is a member of the European Union and NATO.
RASOS CEMETERY
Rasos Cemetery in Vilnius, founded in 1801, is one of Lithuania’s oldest and most important cemeteries. It is the burial site of many notable Lithuanian, Polish, and Belarusian figures. Beyond its historical importance, Rasos Cemetery is valued for its picturesque tombstones and its role as a symbol of the region’s shared heritage.
A SHORT NOTE ON THE BATTLE OF GRUNWALD
The Battle of Grunwald (1410) was a major victory for Poland and Lithuania over the Teutonic Order, marking the decline of Teutonic power in Europe.
LITHUANIA – History, Sightseeing, Curiosities
The official language of Lithuania is Lithuanian, which belongs to the Baltic branch of the Indo-European language family. Lithuanian is considered one of the oldest surviving Indo-European languages, retaining many features similar to ancient Sanskrit. In everyday life, especially among minority communities, Polish and Russian are also commonly spoken.
Vilnius, the capital, is known for its medieval Old Town, which features Gothic, Renaissance, and Baroque architecture, like the Vilnius Cathedral, or the Gate of Dawn. The Old Town of Vilnius is one of the largest historic centres in Central and Eastern Europe.
Lithuania currently has a population of around 2.7 million people. For many years, the country has been facing depopulation due to a low birth rate and emigration, mainly to Western European countries. The majority of the population are ethnic Lithuanians (approximately 84%), with the main minority groups being Poles (around 6.5%), Russians (around 5%) and Belarusians.
TRAKAI
A popular tourist spot in Lithuania is Trakai, about 28 kilometers west of Vilnius. The main attraction in Trakai is the Trakai Island Castle, a beautiful red-brick fortress built in the 14th century by Grand Duke Kęstutis. It was first built for defense but later served as a home for Lithuanian royalty.
THE COLD BEAT SOUP
Cold beetroot soup, known as šaltibarščiai, is a traditional Lithuanian dish made with kefir, boiled beets, cucumbers, dill, and often served with a hard-boiled egg and warm potatoes.
