Lithuania

Overview

The Republic of Lithuania is a country located in the Baltic region of Europe. It is on the southeastern shore of the Baltic Sea, east of Sweden and Denmark. Of the three Baltic counties, it is the largest and most southerly.

The country recorded a population of 2.794 million by 2020 and covers an area of 65,300 km2.

Its capital city is Vilnius known for its baroque architecture in its ancient old town, which is listed in UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Other major cities are Kaunas and Klaipeda.

Trakai Castle, located on an island in Lake Galve.

History

Lithuania was formerly occupied by German troops during the Russian rule in the First World War. It was founded in 1918.

Russia recognized the country’s boundaries in 1920. The Soviet Union forced Lithuania to accept their military base. They invaded in 1940 and forcefully assimilated the country into the Soviet Union. They later recognized their independence in 1991 when the country joined the UN.

It was admitted into the European Union (EU) and the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) in 2004.

Food & culture

The culture of the country resembles that of Latvia and also has influences from the cultures of the Nordic, German and Slavic.

He crops grown in the country include spring barley, winter rye, winter wheat, spring wheat, oats, potatoes, sugarbeets and pulses.

The common dishes include cepelinai, cold borscht, dark rye bread, stuffed cabbage and potato pancakes.

Wildlife

The common wildlife animals include otters, wolves, badgers, wild boars, ermine, stags, elk and deer.

Festivals & events

The common events include Galapagai Rock Music Festival, Palanga Smelt Festival, Vilnius Festival, Trakai Middle Age Festival and International Vilnius Film Festival.

Things to see

Ther is the Trakai Island Castle on an island on Lake Galve in Trakai in the 14th century.

There is also the Gedimino tower, which is the only remaining part of the upper castle in Vilnius built by Gediminas and alert by Grand Duke Vytautas and Jan Borowski.

Other good places to visit are the Hill of Crosses, Vilnius Old Town and Nerija National Park.

Interesting facts

Lithuania is the only world’s country with an official scent called the scent of Lithuania.

The most popular sport is basketball.

The official language is Lithuanian.

Majority of the population are Roman Catholics.

City guides

Cities & towns I’ve visited

Run a marathon in Lithuania

Vilnius Marathon

Vilnius · usually September

Runs through one of Europe's largest baroque old towns.

Dates move from year to year, so check the race website before you book.

UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Lithuania

2 of 5 visited. See every site I've been to.

Modernist Kaunas: Architecture of Optimism, 1919-1939 2023
Vilnius Old Town 1994
Cultural Reserve of Kernavė
Curonian Spit 2000
Struve Geodetic Arc 2005

My photos from Lithuania

From 2 trips, newest first, so you can see which places each set of photos came from.

May 2024 Vilnius

Vilnius

Whole trip gallery

August 2018 Latvia & Lithuania

The Republic of Užupis, Hill of Crosses -Siauliai transfers