sonunigam (Love Geek):
Grand Duchy of Lithuania
A settlement had been established on the site of the current Kaunas old town at the confluence of two large rivers, at least by the 10th century AD. It is believed the town was founded in 1030, but it is first mentioned in written sources in 1361.
. .Kaunas' View in 19th Century. *
06-01-11 - 04:39:35

sonunigam (Love Geek): In the 13th century, a stone wall was built as protection from constant raids by the Teutonic Knights. In 1362, the town was captured by the Teutonic Knights, who destroyed the Kaunas Castle. The castle was rebuilt at the beginning of the 15th century. *
06-01-11 - 04:40:45

sonunigam (Love Geek): In 1408 the town was granted Magdeburg Rights by Vytautas the Great and became a center of Kaunas Powiat in Trakai Voivodeship in 1413. Vytautas ceded Kaunas the right to own the scales used for weighing the goods brought to the city 0r packed on site, wax processing, and woolen cloth trimming facilities. *
06-01-11 - 04:41:24

sonunigam (Love Geek): The power of the self-governing Kaunas was shared by three interrelated major institutions: vaitas (the Mayor), the Magistrate (12 lay judges and 4 burgomasters) and the so called Benchers' Court (12 persons). Kaunas then began to gain prominence, since it was at an intersection of trade routes and a river port. *
06-01-11 - 04:42:04

sonunigam (Love Geek): In 1441 Kaunas joined the Hanseatic League, and Hansa merchant offices were opened. By the 16th century, Kaunas had a public school and a hospital and was one of the best-formed towns in the Grand Duchy of Lithuania. *
06-01-11 - 04:42:39