Kaunas, known for its exceptional interwar modernist architecture, received the European Heritage Label in 2015 and was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2023 as Modernist Kaunas: Architecture of Optimism, 1919-1939. This legacy reflects the city’s golden era, when Kaunas became the temporary capital of Lithuania and a symbol of national identity.
We invite you to join a guided tour through the Žaliakalnis and Center districts of Kaunas, part of the UNESCO-listed territory, to explore the architectural treasures and history of this unique period. The tour is conducted in English and combines bus and walking segments. After the tour, we will invite you to a traditional Sodai (straw mobile) crafting workshop held in the auditorium. This tradition of Sodai crafting is inscribed on the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
The tour begins at the Christ’s Resurrection Basilica, a striking modernist landmark symbolizing faith and national revival. Strolling along the main streets and squares of Kaunas, you will discover remarkable modernist buildings that embody Lithuanian statehood and cultural life. Highlights include the Vytautas the Great War Museum, the National M. K. Čiurlionis Art Museum, and major interwar institutions such as the Bank of Lithuania and the former Central Post Office. You will also see cultural venues like the State Philharmonic, City Hall, and National Drama Theatre, along with sites reflecting the ambition and innovation of interwar Kaunas.
Through stories of architecture, history, and daily life, you will discover why Kaunas Modernism remains so important for today’s Lithuania.
After the walking tour, you are invited to join a traditional craft workshop: SODAI making. These intricate straw mobiles, made from rye stalks, are home decorations traditionally given during important life events such as weddings or the birth of a child. Guided step by step, you will create your own Sodas, carefully packaged to take home as a unique and meaningful souvenir from Lithuania.
Walk through history, architecture, and tradition – and take a piece of Kaunas heritage with you.
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- Starting and ending point: S. Daukanto g. 28, Kaunas
- Duration: 14:00–18:00 (approx. 4 hours)
- Ticket price: €35 per person
*The tour takes place in all weather conditions – please wear appropriate clothing and footwear.
**Tickets are non-refundable, except in cases of cancellation or date change.
***The event may be filmed and photographed.
