Táto hra minigolfu končí v Ramybės parkas, ale cesta začína oveľa skôr. Toto je Kaunas, kde mapa je skutočné mesto a loptička sa kotúľa po jeho skutočných uliciach. Skutočné atrakcie mesta, ako napríklad Kauno pilis, tvoria jednotlivé jamky a celá 18-jamková hra zahŕňa prechádzku dlhú 10,8 km so šiestimi portálmi, ktoré spájajú jednotlivé úseky. Poznám každý kút týchto chodníkov a som miestny sprievodca, hoci väčšinu času trávim hľadaním omrviniek.
The Kaunas Mosque is the only brick mosque in Lithuania and the Baltic countries. Located at Tatars Street 6 in the Centras eldership of Kaunas, Lithuania, it is built in the style of Islamic architecture. This site is a World Heritage-listed Sunni Islamic mosque. It holds a rare position in the region, as it is the only mosque in the Kaunas district and is one of only four mosques in Lithuania. Visitors can observe the specific architectural traditions used in its construction and its place within the local community.
Notice the wood-paneled coachwork first; it gives the Žaliakalnis Funicular a timeless feel. This funicular railway in Kaunas is the oldest of its kind in Lithuania. It provides a steep climb of 142 metres, starting from behind the Vytautas the Great War Museum and ending at the Basilica of the Resurrection. Built in 1931, it remains a distinctive way to move between these two landmarks. I've seen plenty of shiny new things in the city, but there is something special about the way this one handles the hill.
Founded in 1966, Velnių muziejus is a museum dedicated to collecting and exhibiting sculptures and carvings of devils from all over the world. Artist Antanas Žmuidzinavičius started the collection, which consisted of 260 sculptures when the museum opened. It is a part of the M. K. Čiurlionis National Art Museum. As the collection expanded, a three-story extension was built in 1982 to provide more space. By 2009, the holdings had grown to 3,000 items. I've always found the variety of these figures fascinating.
You'll notice the National Kaunas Drama Theatre as a central fixture of the city. This theatre company is the oldest professional theatre troupe in Lithuania, having been founded in 1920. While the troupe started at the building now known as the Kaunas State Musical Theatre, it eventually moved to this spot in 1959. Interestingly, the building you see now formerly housed the "Metropolitain" cinema. It is a great place to stop and appreciate the performing arts in Kaunas, and I think you will enjoy the atmosphere surrounding the entrance.
Located just off Laisvės alėja in the Old Town of Kaunas, the Church of St. Gertrude is a church building. It is one of the oldest buildings of Gothic architecture in Lithuania and one of the oldest Brick Gothic churches in the country. Visitors can observe the specific characteristics of Brick Gothic and Gothic art styles that define the structure. This placement in the Old Town makes it a key point of interest for those wanting to see the earliest examples of this architectural style within the city.
You might expect a modern government office, but the Historical Presidential Palace is actually a Neo-baroque building located in the Old Town of Kaunas, Lithuania. It served as the Presidential Palace during the interwar years, which gives the site its name and historical weight. Currently, the palace is a branch of the M. K. Čiurlionis National Art Museum, blending political history with artistic displays. I've noticed that the ornate facade makes it one of the most distinct sights when you are wandering through this part of the city.
You might think this building still runs the city, but it is actually the former Town hall of the Kaunas city government. Now known as Kauno Rotušė, this city hall stands in the middle of Rotušės Square in the Old Town of Kaunas, Lithuania. The structure dates from the 16th century and reflects the architecture of the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth. Today, the building houses a wedding hall and a branch of Kaunas City Museum. I've noticed that the square around it is a great spot for people-watching.
Let me show you the Aleksotas Funicular, a railway located in the Aleksotas elderate of Kaunas. Opened on 6 December 1935, this funicular is a great spot to see wooden seats, stop platforms, and pre-war wagons. As you look at the layout, you can pick out the separation in the centre of the track that allows the carriages to pass each other. It is a sturdy bit of machinery that has stayed true to its roots, maintaining the authentic traction equipment that has carried passengers up the slope for many years.
Kauno pilis is a castle built in the Gothic style. It sits on a rise on the banks of the Nemunas River near its confluence with the Neris River. This medieval site is located in Kaunas, the second-largest city in Lithuania. While much of the original structure is gone, you can still see the remnants of the fortifications. It's a great spot to watch the water flow by, though I usually find the riverbanks a bit too windy for a long nap.
You won't hear any spoken lines here. The Kaunas Pantomime Theatre is a theatre building and the only professional ensemble theatre in Lithuania that focuses its entire repertoire on the genre of pantomime. It was established in 1968 by its founder and leader, Kestutis Adomaitis, who lived from 1948 to 1996. Later, in 2003, the Kaunas Municipality became the founder of the theatre. I've always found it fascinating how much a performer can communicate to an audience without making a single sound. It is a truly unique part of the local culture.
Vytautas the Great is associated with this church building located in the Old Town of Kaunas, Lithuania. This Roman Catholic church is the oldest church in the city. It is built in the Brick Gothic style of architecture, which is evident in its exterior and structure. Visitors can notice the unique layout of the building, as it possesses the only Gothic cross-shaped plan in Lithuania. It remains a significant example of Gothic architecture within the region.
The structure reaches a height of 28 meters, showcasing the Gothic architecture style. This is the Archcathedral Basilica of Apostles St. Peter and St. Paul of Kaunas, a Roman Catholic Archcathedral basilica located in Kaunas, Lithuania. It is the seat of the Archbishop of Kaunas. Construction on the cathedral was started in 1413. Visitors can observe the specific details of the Gothic style that define the exterior and interior of this historic religious site.
The Kauno choralinė sinagoga is a synagogue built in the baroque revival style. Work on the building was started in 1871. It is located at 13 East Ožeškienės Street in the Centras eldership of Kaunas, within the Kaunas County of Lithuania. The site is an Orthodox Jewish congregation and synagogue, and it is also known as the Choral Ohel Yaakov Synagogue.
You will find the Kauno muzikinis teatras located in Kaunas, Lithuania. This opera house was founded in 1892 and is home to a musical theatre company of the same name. That company was established on 27 November 1940 in the former State Theatre hall on the Laisvės Alėja. It is a great spot to experience the local performing arts scene, and I've seen plenty of people gather here for a show. I always enjoy watching the crowds arrive in their finest clothes for a big performance.
Kauno Šv. Kryžiaus (Karmelitų) bažnyčia is a church building that was started in 1700. You can find this site located in the Centre elderate of Kaunas, Lithuania. It is an example of the baroque architecture style. When you look at the building, you can pick out the specific details that characterize this particular style of architecture. It is a significant site for those visiting the center of the city who want to see buildings from this period of history.
Ramybė Park is a public park established in 1959. It is located in the territory of the Kaunas City Old Cemetery, which was also known as the Carmelite Cemetery. This cemetery was established in 1847 and was designed to be inclusive of the city's diverse population, as it had sections for Roman Catholics, Eastern Orthodoxes, Lutherans, and Muslims. Visitors to the park can find a monument to fallen Lithuanian soldiers that was unveiled in 1930. This specific memorial also contains the tomb of an unknown soldier.
You will likely notice the massive television screen first, which is the biggest of its kind in the Baltic states. This is the S. Dariaus ir S. Girėno stadionas, a stadium in Kaunas designed by architect Steponas Darius. Since its inception in 1925, it has remained a hub of activity, hosting at least 50 events annually during the sporting season. The site has seen several updates to keep it current, including a renovation in 1998 and a more recent project that started in 2018 and ended in 2022. I've seen plenty of crowds gather here for the big games.