Jurbarkas region is situated in the south west of Lithuania; it stretches 70 kilometers nestled against Father of Lithuanian rivers the Nemunas and occupies an area of 1508 sq. km.
The region is famous for renaissance–style castles, manors and their parks, remained fragments of defensive line of the Nemunas from 13–15th centuries, valuable Panemunė landscape and unique cultural treasures. The most famous architectural structures are: the renaissance style Raudonė castle (end of the 16th century) and Panemunė castle (beginning of the 17th century).
You can reach Jurbarkas via the Old Post Canal from Kaunas, down the old postal trails, along which post was carried to Klaipėda (Memel) and Karaliaučius (Kaliningrad).
Jurbarkas is situated on the right bank of the Nemunas River at the confluence of three rivers – the Nemunas, the Mituva and the Imsre. The name of Jurbarkas was first mentioned in the chronicle of P. Duisburg, in 1259, when the crusaders built Georgenburg (Jurgenburg) castle there. Since the 14th century Jurbarkas became a royal estate. In the third decade of the 16th century the Polish King and the Grand Duke of Lithuania Žygimantas the Old constituted a decree to govern the Samogitian land – all the populated locality on the Prussian border was given to govern to the Queens. The Queen Bona, the wife of Žygimantas II, was the first to govern Jurbarkas. In 1611 Jurbarkas was granted the rights of Magdeburg and a coat of arms, three white lilies on the red shield.
History Till the end of the XVIII century Jurbarkas was the manor. In the years of Tsar Russia, until 1918, it was the centre of a rural district that belonged to the Kaunas province. Until 1947 the rural district of Jurbarkas belonged to the Raseiniai district. At the end of 1947, after joining some more surrounding municipalities of vicinity, the Jurbarkas rural district became a district. In 1950 the district was reorganized into the Jurbarkas region, territory of which was gradually expanding.
In the spring of 1990s after Lithuania regained independence, it became the Jurbarkas Municipal Administration, and from 1995 having divided Lithuania into ten districts, the Jurbarkas Municipal Administration belongs to the Tauragė district.
Millennium for Commemoration of Lithuania – 750 years for Jurbarkas Town
In 1009 the name of Lithuania was mentioned for the first time in historical sources, in the Annals of Quedlinburg, in connection with the mission of the monk Boniface Bruno of Querfurt. It came to a tragic end when the Archbishop was killed on his way to Poland. However a part of population was baptised, therefore the Lithuanian Millennium is the anniversary of the state’s evangelism too.
Nobody doubts that Lithuania existed earlier. However, in the writing that was first found, its name is essential and undeniable condition of proving its existence.
Multi-coloured history of the town is not dissociated from millenary state life. Archaeologists confirm that namely inhabitants of Jurbarkas region were the first to experience strikes of Teutonic Order. Thus, the land itself becomes very important historically for the whole Lithuania as the cradle of battles for freedom. The rhythm of life in the town was dictated by the change of events.
Jurbarkas people were happy to meet honourable guests – 7 delegations, great officers, members of the Parliament, leaders of Tauragė region and regional Mayors, and of course our countrymen that have spread all over our towns and cities.
Jurbarkas’ festivity was honoured by the representatives of the town-partners: from Laakdal (Belgium, Flemish part) 8 people delegation lead by Jurgen Mensch, Berlin Lichtenberg 2 people delegation lead by Michael Rasler Wolf, a councillor (at the same time the group of 3 artists came). Crailsheim (Germany, Baden-Viurtenberg land) community accepts rather big groups of ours every year and they were very curious and friendly. Although young people have a tense examination period 31 member of non-governmental organization “Stadtkapelle Crailsheim“ – a musician determined to play and participate in all our events, 9 community members, old acquaintances of Jurbarkas people lead by the Mayor Andreas Raab. 19 participants came from The Russian Federation, Kaliningrad region lead by Mayor A.S Melnikov. Kriulen (Moldova) – 19 participants hardly pluck the roads through the bureaucratic visa and customs and tiredness bars, but we were able to see them in more than one concert. Together such ensembles as “Loziuare“and Neman children’s music school folk ensemble gave concerts. As well there participated one of our faithful friends, a delegation from Ryn (Poland, Varmia – Mozur land), lead by the Mayor Mr. Joseph Karpinski and two groups “Sterlawiacy“ and “Rominek“(30 participants). Perhaps the furthest, most seldom seen and visited were the people from Glamorgan Valley (Wales, Great Britain) a 4 people delegation, lead by Mr. H. Jarvie. The guests not only participated in our festivity, but tried get acquainted with the town, the region, visited Kaunas, the Hill of Crosses, Šiluva, Vilnius.
