Vilkaviskis

Vilkaviskis is one of the oldest towns of Suvalkija, which was situated on the confluence of Vilkauja and Seimena in the western edge of Birstonas forest in the XVII century. The road from Kaunas to Prussia crossed Vilkaviskis. The name of Vilkaviskis is derived from the surname of an inhabitant. The man whose surname was Vilkas (wolf) or Vilkauja, it is believed that he moved here from either the river Nemunas area or from the creek Vilkauja area. Vilkaviskis is mentioned in the chronicle from the begining of the XVI century, which gained status as a town in 1623-1660, and in 1697 the rights of Magdeburgh were renewed. A coat of arms was granted to Vilkaviškis at this time.

Jewish residents built a small synagogue to the memory of a man called Pacas's wife, Ann. More information Further, smaller sinagogues were built during the interwars. on the 7th April in 1679 The Jews were granted permission to enhance trade and were allowed to sell drinks and various goods. Tradesmen, such as goldsmith, tinsmith, tailors etc., were allowed to work in the town. They also could have a school and three houses alongside. They could have their own cemetry and practise their own customs. They could build a slaughterhouse, where they had opportunity to sell meat without limits. In 1732 Vilkaviskis had streets named: Dvaras (Zamkowa), Gudeliai (Gudelska), Kaunas (Kowienska), Naumiestis (Wladyslawowska), Aukštoji (Wysoka), Varšuva(Warszawska) and Gardinas (Grodzienska). paaiškinti kodėl buvo jos lenkiįkos ) Vilkaviškis had a Market with 25 stands. However, in 1747 the market grew to 31 stands. Moreover,two new streets and backstreets appeared off Kaunas street.

Unfortunately, during June and September of 1781 and during October of 1782 Vilkaviskis suffered several fire outbreaks. 47 houses, warehouses, public houses were destroyed in the flames. However, the people were determined and started to rebuilt their properties. 1790 the same time the town got permission to build a brickyard.

On 22nd June in 1812 Napoleon Bonapart visited and stayed for three days in Vilkaviskis. Vilkaviškis with the rest of Lithuania experienced the hardships of the 1st and 2nd World Wars as well as the Soviet occupation. Many authors and celebrities of Lithuania were born in Vilkaviškis region. The Patriarch and signatory of the Independence act surasti data, Dr.Jonas Basanavičius, Vincas Kudirka, the author of the Lithuanian anthem, poets such as: P. Tysliava, S. Nėris, K. Bradūnas, and other authors such as: V.Pietaris, A.Kriščiukaitis-Aišbė, Pr. Mašiotas, Bronius Zumeris, a sculptor P. Rimša, a singer B. Almonaitytė. Inhabitants can also boast that even Martynas Mažvydas had some land in the Virbalis area. During Napoleon Bonapart stay in Vilkaviškis region he anounced the war against Russia, that's why Levas Tolstoy mentions Vilkaviskis in his writngs.

In spite of the fact that Vilkaviskis is in the heart of the Suvalkija region it has never been recognised as an important town. People from Suvalkija region are very intelligent and ambitious and they have a good sense of humour, in spite of this lots of anecdotes run them down, because they are economical people. (They are said to be selfish, greedy and rascals) we are glad to live in Vilkaviškis and are proud of our past. The town today is a lot smaller.