Šiauliai

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Šiauliai
Country
Region
County
Eldership 		Lithuania
Aukštaitija
Šiauliai County
Radviliškis district
Population 133,883
Area 81.13 km²
Annual precipitation level 538.5 mm
Coordinates 55°56′ N 23°19′ E
Official website www.Siauliai.lt

Šiauliai is the fourth largest city in Lithuania, with a population of 133,883. It is the capital of Šiauliai County.

Contents

Names

approximate English transcription ʃəʊ.ˈleı
simplified Lithuanian transcription ʃiaŭliaǐ
Polish Szawle
German Schaulen
Russian Шавли Shavli
Yiddish שאַװל Shavl or Shavel

History

1200s-1300s

The city's founding date is now considered to be September 22, 1236, the same date upon which the battle of the Sun took place, not far from Šiauliai.

1400s-1800s

In 1445, a wooden church was built. It was replaced in 1625 with the brick church which can be seen in the city center today.

Sialuiai was granted Magdeburg city rights in 1589.

From the 16th-18th centuries, Šiauliai was devastated by both the Swedish army and by an epidemic of the Bubonic plague.

1900s

In 1909, 56.4% of the inhabitants were Jewish.

During World War I, 85% of the buildings were burned down and the city center was destroyed.

During the inter-war period, Šiauliai was the second most important city in Lithuania after the capital Kaunas.

In 1939, one quarter of the city's population was Jewish (source). German Nazis entered Šiauliai on Thursday, June 26, 1941. There were two ghetto areas, one in the Kaukas suburb, and one in Traku. During World War II, the Jewish population was reduced from 8,000 to 500. Again 80% of the buildings were destroyed.

Tourist attractions

Image:Lh-map.png

Perhaps one of Šiauliai's biggest tourist attractions is its famous Hill of Crosses.

There is an arch at the intersection of Vilniaus Str. and Vasario 16-osios str. Legend tells that if one thinks of a wish and passes under the arch, the wish will come true. But, if one forgets about it and walks back under the arch, the wish will vanish into thin air.

Zubovs Palace, located at Ausros Alley 50, was constructed in the 17th century. The exterior has remained unchanged since 1875. Today the palace houses the Faculty of Arts of Šiauliai University.

Šiauliai is:

External links

General

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City resources

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