• Kaunas, Lithuania
    Lithuania

    Kaunas history: second Lithuanian city was the capital once

    The settlement which later developed into Kaunas was first mentioned by chroniclers in 1361. To protect the city against Crusader attacks, a stone castle was built in the 14th c., which later became an important part of the city’s defense system. In 1408, Kaunas was granted Magdeburg rights by Grand Duke Vytautas. Since then Kaunas started developing rapidly, as its importance as a port and a trading center with western Europe was growing. In the 16th c. the first school, public hospital, and pharmacy were built, and towards the end of the century, Kaunas became one of the best-organized cities in the Great Duchy of Lithuania. The economy of Kaunas…

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  • saltibarsciai
    Lithuania

    Lithuanian cuisine: “interesting” won’t be your sole reaction to traditional cuisine

    A polite reply consisting of the word “interesting” won’t be your sole reaction to Lithuanian cuisine. Our kitchen is rather simple, even laconic, I dare say, if you consider our most widely used ingredients – potatoes, mushrooms, meat, sour-cream and vegetables – but also nutritious. Be brave in your quest to familiarize yourself with it – sample and experiment away! Satisfaction is guaranteed, and you just might want to bring a recipe or two back home. Fried bread and beer. They are as common to an average Lithuanian these days as spears and armor used to be back in the day. Beware of the thick coating of garlic on the…

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