Anykščiai
| Anykščiai | |||
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 Anykščiai
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| Coordinates: 55°32′N 25°6′E / 55.533°N 25.1°ECoordinates: 55°32′N 25°6′E / 55.533°N 25.1°E | |||
| Country |  Lithuania |
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| Ethnographic region | Aukštaitija | ||
| County |  Utena County |
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| Municipality | Anykščiai district municipality | ||
| Eldership | Anykščiai eldership | ||
| Capital of | Anykščiai district municipality Anykščiai eldership |
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| First mentioned | 1440 | ||
| Granted city rights | 1516 | ||
| Population (2001) | |||
| • Total | 11,958 | ||
| Time zone | EET (UTC+2) | ||
| • Summer (DST) | EEST (UTC+3) | ||
Anykščiai (
pronunciation (help·info)) is a ski resort town in Lithuania, 20 miles west of Utena.[1] The Roman Catholic Church of St. Matthias in Anykščiai is the tallest church in Lithuania, with spires measuring 79 meters in height.
The city has a football club FK Anykščiai.
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[edit] Name
Anykščiai is the Lithuanian name of the town. Versions of the name in other languages include Polish: Onikszty, Russian: Они́кшты Onikshty, Belarusian: Ані́кшты Anikshty, Yiddish: אַניקשט Aniksht, German: Onikschten, Latvian: Anīkšči.
[edit] History
Archeological research in the area has revealed settlements dating from the late Neolithic. Its location on the Šventoji River, connecting it to the Baltic Sea via the Neris River and Neman River, contributed to its development. It also lay on a land route between the cities of Vilnius and Riga. Its strategic importance led to frequent assaults by the Teutonic Order. The first written mention of the town dates to 1442; its first appearance on a map is tentatively dated to about 1578.[2]
Wool processing facilities, a winery, and Lithuanian and Jewish schools were established after World War I. Its population reached about 4,000. During World War II its bridges and city center were destroyed and many of its residents executed.[2]
Prior to Lithuania re-establishing its independence after World War I, Anykščiai was part of the Kovno Governorate of the Russian Empire. A shtetl existed within the town (Yiddish: אַניקשט/Aniksht), with a Jewish population of 2754, in 1900.[3]
[edit] Famous people
- Józef Abelewicz, Polish theologian
- Antanas Baranauskas, poet
- Jonas Biliūnas, writer
- Giedrius Titenis, swimmer
- Antanas Vienuolis, writer
[edit] International relations
[edit] Twin towns — Sister cities
Anykščiai is twinned with:
[edit] References
- ^ (English) Skiing in Lithuania - Ski vacation in Lithuania
- ^ a b "History". Anykščiai district municipality. http://www.anyksciai.lt/en/generalinformation/history#c. Retrieved 2009-12-16.
- ^ JewishGen
[edit] Links
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Anykščiai |
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