Aiste and I are now in Kaunas.
Kaunas, the second largest city of the country,
is situated on the confluence of the Nemunas and the Neris.
The city originated in the 13th century, when the first brick castle in Lithuania, the biggest defence fortress then, was built.
In 1408 the city was granted the Magdeburg rights by the privilege of Vytautas the Great- Grand Duke of Lithuania.
Afterwards Kaunas began growing at a fairly rapid pace,
especially its importance as the centre and main port for trade with Western Europe.
In the 16th century Kaunas was one of the best developed cities in the Lithuanian Grand Duchy.
°°°°
Laisves Aleja, where you can see me in this photo,
is the main street of Kaunas meant for pedestrians.
It is believed to be the longest pedestrian walkway in Europe.
Commercial outlets are concentrated here as well as government institutions and universities.
The length of the walkway is 1,621 m.
It begins in Old Town on Vilniaus Street, and shoots straight to the street's most obvious accent – Sobor of Garrison (you can see it in the next picture).
The street was already being formed in the second half of the 19th century
until the beginning of the 20th century.
The architecture of the buildings along the walkway is ascribed to Eclectic epoch or "between the wars" modernism.
In its "heart", its center, stands a fountain,
frequently used for dates and for city guests
who use it as a meeting place if they get lost.