Kėdainiai (pronunciation (help·info)) is one of the oldest cities in Lithuania. It is located on the Nevėžis River. First mentioned in the 1372 Livonian Chronicle of Hermann de Wartberge, its population as of 2001 was 32,048. Kėdainiai old town from the 18th century is one of the largest in Lithuania.
The former Town Hall, the House of Rectors, the Church of St. George, the Calvinist Church, and the House of Scotch Merchants are notable architectural sites. It was a custom that everyone arriving in Kėdainiai had to bring a stone for the construction of the town. Kėdainiai is also the location of the only minaret in Lithuania. In all, Kėdainiai have two synagogues, one Ortodox church, one Luteran church, two Catholic churches and one Calvinist church.
The city is the administrative centre of the Kėdainiai district municipality. The geographical centre of the Lithuanian Republic is in the nearby village of Ruoščiai, located in the eldership of Dotnuva.
History
The area was the site of several battles during "The Deluge", the 17th century war between the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth and Sweden. In 1655 a short-lived treaty with Sweden, the Union of Kėdainiai, was signed by two members of Radziwiłł family in their Kėdainiai castle. While little remains of the Radziwiłł castle, the crypt of the Calvinist church (1631) houses the family mausoleum, including the tombs of Krzysztof Radziwiłł and his son Janusz.
For a period during 1940, the town served as home to about 300 students and teachers from the Mir Yeshiva. During the Cold War it was home to Kėdainiai air base, a major military airlift facility.
For many years, Kėdainiai housed a number of chemical (fertilizer) and food processing (ice cream, bread, meat, vegetables, souces) industries. Following years of stagnation, old enterprises have come back to life, and new ones have been established.
Kėdainiai district is very important growing region of cucumbers, tomatoes and other vegetables.
High schools
Accommodation
- Hotel "Grejaus namas"
- Hotel/Restaurant "Smilga"
Famous citizens
Twin towns
Image gallery
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Houses in the old town of Kėdainiai.
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Kranto II street in the old town
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Senoji street in old town
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Nevėžis river in city center
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External links
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