Šiauliai

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Šiauliai
City municipality
Cathedral of Šiauliai
Cathedral of Šiauliai
Flag of Šiauliai
Flag
Coat of arms of Šiauliai
Coat of arms
Nickname: 
Saulės miestas (The Sun City)
Country Lithuania
Ethnographic regionSamogitia
CountyŠiauliai County
MunicipalityŠiauliai city municipality
Capital ofŠiauliai County
Šiauliai city municipality
Šiauliai district municipality
First mentioned1236
Granted city rights1589
EldershipsMedelynas eldership, Rėkyva eldership
Area
 • Total81 km2 (31 sq mi)
Population
 (2012)
 • Total107,875
Time zoneUTC+2 (EET)
 • Summer (DST)UTC+2 (EEST)
Websitehttp://www.siauliai.lt
Šiauliai Cathedral standing in the place of the wooden church built in 1445
Vilnius street pedestrian boulevard
Pedestrian boulevard at night
Hill of Crosses
Šiauliai church in 19th century
Šiauliai after the First World War
File:Szawle lucznik.jpg
Golden boy, Šiauliai
Iron Fox, Šiauliai

Šiauliai (Lithuanianⓘ), is the fourth largest city in Lithuania, with a population of 133,900. 1994 to 2010 it was the capital of Šiauliai County. Unofficially, the city is the capital of Northern Lithuania.

Names

Šiauliai is referred to by a various names in different languages: Samogitian: Šiaulē, Latvian Saule (historic) and Šauļi (modern), German (old fashioned): Schaulen, Polish: Szawle, Russian: Шавли (Shavli - historic) and Шяуля́й (Shyaulyai - modern), Yiddish: שאַװל (Shavel).

History

The city was first mentioned in written sources as Soule in Livonian Order chronicles describing the battle of Saule. Thus the city's founding date is now considered to be September 22, 1236, the same date when the battle took place, not far from Šiauliai. At first it developed as a defense post against the raids by the Teutonic and Livonian Orders. After the battle of Grunwald in 1410, the raids stopped and Šiauliai started to develop as an agricultural settlement. In 1445, a wooden church was built. It was replaced in 1634 with the brick church which can be seen in the city center today.

Šiauliai was granted Magdeburg city rights in 1589. In the 16th century it became an administrative center of the area. However, in the 17th and 18th centuries the city was devastated by The Deluge and epidemics of the Bubonic plague.

The credit for the city's rebirth goes to Antoni Tyzenhaus (1733–1785) who after a violent revolt of peasants of the Crown properties in the Northern Lithuania (so-called in Polish: Powstanie Szawelskie, 1769), started the radical economic and urban reforms. He decided to rebuild the city according to the Classicism ideas: at first houses were built randomly in a radial shape, but Tyzenhaus decided to build the city in an orderly rectangular grid. Šiauliai grew to become a well-developed city, with several prominent brick buildings. In 1791 Stanisław August Poniatowski, king of the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth, confirmed once again that Šiauliai's city rights and granted it a coat of arms which depicted a bear, the symbol of Samogitia, the Eye of Providence, and a red bull, the symbol of the Poniatowski family. The modern coat of arms has been modeled after this version.

After the Partitions of Poland, Šiauliai got a new coat of arms. The city grew and became an important educational and cultural center. Also, infrastructure was rapidly developing: in 1836–1858 a road connecting Riga and Tilsit was built, in 1871 a railroad connecting Liepāja with Romny was built. Šiauliai, being in a crossroad of important merchant routes, started to develop as an industrial town. Already in 1897 it was the third largest city in Lithuania with population of about 16,000. The demographics changed also: 56.4% of the inhabitants were Jewish in 1909. Šiauliai was known for its leather industry. Chaim Frenkel owned the biggest leather factory in the Russian Empire.

During World War I, about 65% of the buildings were burned down and the city center was destroyed. After the war and re-establishment of Lithuania, the importance of Šiauliai grew. Before Klaipėda was attached to Lithuania, the city was second after Kaunas by population size. By 1929 the city center was rebuilt. Modern utilities were also included: streets were lighted, it had public transportation, telephone and telegraph lines, water supply network and sewer.

The first independence years were difficult because the industrial city lost its markets in Russia. It needed to find new clients in Western Europe. In 1932 a railroad to Klaipėda was built and it connected the city to the Western markets. In 1938 the city produced about 85% of Lithuania's leather, 60% of footwear, 75% of flax fiber, 35% of candies. Culture also flourished as many new periodicals were printed, new schools and universities opened, a library, theater, museum, and normal school were opened.

In 1939, one fifth of the city's population was Jewish.[1] German soldiers entered Šiauliai on June 26, 1941. According to one of the Jewish survivors of Šiauliai, Nesse Godin, some 700 people were shot in nearby woods during the first weeks of occupation after having been forced to dig their own graves. The Šiauliai Ghetto was established in July 1941. There were two Jewish ghetto areas in Šiauliai, one in the Kaukas suburb, and one in Trakų. During World War II, the Jewish population was reduced from 8,000 to 500. About 80% of the buildings were destroyed.[2]

The city was largely rebuilt anew in a typical Soviet fashion during the years of subsequent Soviet occupation.

Mayors

  • 1990–1991 – Kazimieras Šavinis
  • 1991–1995 – Arvydas Salda
  • 1995 - 1997 – Alfredas Lankauskas
  • 2000 – Vida Stasiūnaitė
  • 2002-2003 – Vaclovas Volkovas
  • 2003–2007 – Vytautas Juškus
  • 2007–2011 – Genadijus Mikšys
  • 2011–present – Justinas Sartauskas

Geography

Šiauliai Žemaičių located in eastern part of the northern plateau, Mūša, Dubysa and Venta River divide. Distance of 210 km to Vilnius, Kaunas - 142 km, Klaipėda - 161 km, Riga - 128 km, Kaliningrad - 250 km. The total city area 81.13 square km, from the green areas 18.87 square km, water - 12.78 km ². Urban land outside perimeter of the administrative 70,317 km.

Altitude: Rėkyvos the lake water level - 129.8 m (425.85 ft) above sea level, Talsos lake level - 103.0 m (337.93 ft) in the city center - 128.4 m (421.26 ft), Salduvės Hill - 149.7 m (491.14 ft) above sea level.

Water

The total water area - 1,280 ha, 15.7% in urban areas.

  • Šiauliai Lakes
    • Rėkyva Lake, 1179ha
    • Talša lake, 56,2ha
    • Ginkūnai Lake, 16,6ha
  • River
    • Kulpė
    • Rūdė
    • Vijolė
    • Švedė
    • Šimša
    • Tilžė
    • Šventupis

Climate

The average temperature in January; −7 °C (19 °F) in July; +18 °C (64 °F). The amount of precipitation in a year - 538.5 mm.

In 1942, the city recorded the lowest Lithuania year mean temperature (+3.6 °C).

Climate data for Šiauliai
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °C (°F) 9.1
(48.4) 		13.3
(55.9) 		21.0
(69.8) 		25.1
(77.2) 		30.4
(86.7) 		32.1
(89.8) 		34.3
(93.7) 		32.4
(90.3) 		28.5
(83.3) 		23.3
(73.9) 		16.9
(62.4) 		13.4
(56.1) 		34.3
(93.7)
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) −2.6
(27.3) 		−1.7
(28.9) 		2.8
(37.0) 		10.1
(50.2) 		17.3
(63.1) 		20.7
(69.3) 		21.7
(71.1) 		21.2
(70.2) 		16.3
(61.3) 		10.5
(50.9) 		4.0
(39.2) 		−0.2
(31.6) 		10.0
(50.0)
Daily mean °C (°F) −5.1
(22.8) 		−4.7
(23.5) 		−1.0
(30.2) 		5.2
(41.4) 		11.8
(53.2) 		15.5
(59.9) 		16.7
(62.1) 		16.1
(61.0) 		11.7
(53.1) 		7.0
(44.6) 		1.8
(35.2) 		−2.6
(27.3) 		6.0
(42.8)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) −7.9
(17.8) 		−7.7
(18.1) 		−4.2
(24.4) 		1.2
(34.2) 		6.7
(44.1) 		10.5
(50.9) 		12.3
(54.1) 		11.7
(53.1) 		8.1
(46.6) 		4.1
(39.4) 		−0.3
(31.5) 		−5.0
(23.0) 		2.5
(36.5)
Record low °C (°F) −36.0
(−32.8) 		−36.4
(−33.5) 		−27.0
(−16.6) 		−11.5
(11.3) 		−5.5
(22.1) 		−0.1
(31.8) 		4.7
(40.5) 		2.1
(35.8) 		−5.7
(21.7) 		−8.5
(16.7) 		−17.8
(0.0) 		−31.1
(−24.0) 		−36.4
(−33.5)
Average precipitation mm (inches) 33
(1.3) 		24
(0.9) 		32
(1.3) 		38
(1.5) 		47
(1.9) 		60
(2.4) 		74
(2.9) 		77
(3.0) 		60
(2.4) 		53
(2.1) 		58
(2.3) 		44
(1.7) 		600
(23.6)
Average precipitation days 19 14 15 13 13 13 15 15 16 16 19 20 188
Mean monthly sunshine hours 37.2 65.0 124.0 177.0 263.5 276.0 260.4 241.8 170.5 99.2 42.0 27.9 1,784.5
Source 1: World Meteorological Organization [3] NOAA (extremes)[4]
Source 2: Hong Kong Observatory (sun only)[5]

Culture

Theaters

  • Šiauliai Drama Theater
  • Amfitheatre

Museums

  • Aušros alėjos Palace
  • Ch. Frenkel vila
  • Bicycle Museum
  • Museum of Photography
  • Jovaro the poet's memorial house
  • Radio and TV Museum
  • Venclauskių Palace
  • Railway Museum
  • Cat's Museum
  • Police Museum
  • Fire Safety Museum
  • Water Museum
  • Fire truck museum
  • Šiaulių Sports Museum

Leisure, Entertainment

  • Cinemas
    • Atlantis Cinemas (Tilžė)
    • Forum Cinemas (Akropolis)
  • Shopping centers
    • Akropolis, opened March 2009
    • Saulės miestas, opened March 2007
    • Bruklinas, opened November 2007
    • Tilžė, opened February 2008
    • Arena, opened November 2007

Demographics

In 1795 Šiauliai were 3 700 people, but already in 1897 Šiauliai population (16 128 population) was the second provincial city of Kaunas. In 1909 56.4% of the population was Jewish. In 1923 Šiauliai population was in third place in Kaunas and Klaipėda. Under the occupied territory of the area (24 km ²) remained fourth in the city of Kaunas, Klaipėda and Panevėžys.

Economy

In 22 December 2005, Šiauliai City Council set some strategic directions and objectives for economic growth until 2015. Šiauliai vision: "Šiauliai - Sun City: the open, pushing and safe."

Starting from the 19th century Šiauliai become an industrial center. During the Russian Empire period, the city had the largest Leather factory in the whole empire, owned by Chaim Frenkel. Šiauliai contributed to around 85% of all Leather production in Lithuania, 60% of footwear the industry, 75% of the flax fiber industry, and 35% of the sweets industry.

During the Soviet years, the city produced electronics, mechanical engineering, wood processing, construction industry. Most of the industrial enterprises were concentrated in urban areas.

According to 2005 data, the city has:

  • Manufacturing and service companies - 3195
  • Commercial enterprises - 781
  • Shopping centers - 30

Energy

Governor beer brewery was equipped with the first steam machine in 1867. In 1900 Šiauliai Chaim Frenkel's leather factory has been equipped with a 50 kW Dynamo machine, which was used to produce electricity for the factory premises and to illuminate the area. It also turned 16 and 12 horsepower engines. Šiauliai average annual electricity per capita is 2,170 kWh (average in Lithuania - 3,264 kWh; in Europe - 6,482 kWh).

Šiauliai city municipality council is the governing body of the Šiauliai city municipality. It is responsible for municipality laws. The council is composed of 31 member elected for four-year terms.

Education

  • 1851 Boys Gymnasium (now Julius Janonis gymnasium) was opened
  • 1898 Girls Gymnasium (now Didždvaris gymnasum) was opened
  • 1920 Jewish Gymnasium was opened
  • 1920 Šiauliai Teachers seminary was founded
  • 1928 Primary education became compulsory
  • 1930 Vincas Kudirka primary school was opened
  • 1939 The Institute of trade was moved from Klaipėda, it was the first Higher Education school in Šiauliai
  • 1948 Šiauliai Teachers Institute was founded, in 1954 it became Pedagogical Institute, and since 1996, when the Šiauliai faculty of Kaunas Polytechnic Institute was connected, it is Šiauliai University.

Students in city (in 2006):

  • In Šiauliai University - 10 440
  • In Šiauliai College - 2770
  • In Northern Lithuania College - 700
  • In Šiauliai region College of Management and Languages - 517
  • In Šiauliai Conservatory - 149
  • In Šiauliai Vocational Training Center - 2663

There are 8 gymnasiums, 7 high schools, 16 secondary schools, 7 primary schools, 9 children non-formal education schools, 29 kindergartens. 21 000 students studied in general education schools in 2006.

Urbanization

Parks

The city park to the creation of Anton Tyzenhaus essentially graduated Vladimir Zubov. The 19th century Park was the middle of regular rectangular shape, and age at the end was close to the English style of the free layouts. Citizens for a small fee was allowed to walk in the park. In 1931, Park and Alley chestnut was officially donated to the Šiauliai city municipality.

Šiauliai has 16 parks, covering an area of 1177 hectares. Didždvario, province and Rėkyvos parks add to the cultural values of the registry.

Infrastructure

Roads

Šiauliai has always been a major intersection. The famous Saulės battle took place near a trade route from Riga to Bubiai and Tauragė.In 1836-1858 Riga-Sovetsk highway was built near it.

About 1912 first cars appeared on city's streets.

Highways passing through Šiauliai :

  • A9 / E272 Šiauliai - Panevėžys (79 km)
  • A11 / E272 Šiauliai - Palanga (147 km)
  • A12 / E77 Riga - Šiauliai - Sovetsk (186 km).
  • City has is western bypass A18.

In 2006 Šiauliai had 297 km of roads, of which 32% had gravel surface. Longest streets are Tilžės street - 9.72 km and Vilnius street - 5.67 km with 1.28 km of pedestrian Boulevard.

Railways

In 1871 Liepāja-Romny railway was built.In 1916 Tilžė-Riga and in 1931 - Šiauliai-Klaipėda railways were built. The city has a railway station.

Airport

In 1930, an air strip was developed. It was expanded in 1961 during the Soviet period, and is now a military (NATO) base, and home to the Šiauliai International Airport.

Public transport

The first passenger transport company in the city of Šiauliai was founded in 1940. It was autotrestas, which had 29 buses. In 1944 instead of autotresto was organized motor firm. In 1947 the first taxi Šiauliai machines. And then, a growing city, increasing the number of passengers - in 1955 founded the city of Šiauliai bus and taksomotorų autoūkis. In 2006, a modern bus station with the trade center. The city has 27 city routes, the maximum number is 29.

Connections

Šiauliai of communication in 1897 could be used not only for mail or telegraph, and telephone. Telephone subscribers in 1923 was 170, while in 1937 - 700 rooms. 1936; the city to install a phone machine.

1957, a television tower, which are equipped with radio and antenna lines. In 1995 launched the construction of cable television lines, 1998 started to install the cable internet, since 2003 - Optical Internet line. In 2008 the city has 14 post offices (central LT-76001).

Sport

Šiauliai arena

Since 1924 soccer was played in Šiauliai. By the year 1936 there were 14 soccer teams in the city. Later other sports also started to be played professionally: basketball, handball, rugby, hockey, athletics, cycling, boxing and other sports. On 25 July 2007 in preparation for the 37th European men basketball championship, a modern Šiauliai Arena was opened to the public.

Club Sport League Venue
BC Šiauliai Basketball Lithuanian Basketball League (LKL), Baltic Basketball League (BBL), Eurocup Šiaulių arena
FK Šiauliai Football The A League A Lyga Šiaulių stadionas
ABRO- Saulė Basketball Šiaulių sporto rūmai
RC Vairas Rugby union Lithuanian Rugby Championship Zoknių stadionas
RC Baltrex Rugby union Talšos stadionas
RC Šiauliai Rugby union Talšos stadionas
Šiauliai central square

International relations

Twin towns - sister cities

Šiauliai is twinned with:

People

According to the population census of 2001, ethnic Lithuanians comprise 93%, Russians - 5%, and the remaining 2% consist of Ukrainians, Belarussians, Jews, Roma, Latvians, Armenians and other ethnic groups. About 94% of the city's population consider Lithuanian their native language, 5% are Russian speakers and the remainder speak Ukrainian, Belarussian, Latvian, Roma, Armenian etc. About 80% of those older than 20 have command of the Russian language, while only 17% can speak English and 7% - German.

The list of famous people who were born in Šiauliai:

See also

References

Notes
  1. ^ Urieli, Assaf. "Shavl - שאַװל - Šiauliai, Lithuania". Kehila Links. JewishGen. Retrieved 26 April 2012.
  2. ^ Levin, Dov (2008). "Šiauliai". Encyclopaedia Judaica. The Gale Group. {{cite encyclopedia}}: Cite has empty unknown parameters: |month= and |coauthors= (help)
  3. ^ "World Weather Information Service - Siauliai". World Meteorological Organization. Retrieved February 2, 2013.
  4. ^ "Siauliai Climate Normals 1961-1990". National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved February 2, 2013.
  5. ^ "Climatological Information for Siauliai, Lithuania". Hong Kong Observatory. Retrieved February 2, 2013.
  6. ^ "The History of Omaha Sister Cities Association." Omaha Sister Cities Association. Retrieved 12/8/08.

http://www.eilatgordinlevitan.com/siauliai/siauliai.html

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Šiauliai.

General

City resources

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