Around Old Town for Those in a Wheelchair
The main street of the Old Town – Didžioji – (strip between Senosios–Josvainių str.) is designed for pedestrians. You do not have to worry about cars here (official transport may go through once in awhile) and you can move freely. The street is paved with blocks. Public toilet in the town (Radvilų str. 9) is adapted for the disabled. When crossing the streets, you will have to overcome a step by taking another sidewalk. Even though some objects are completely adapted for tourists with movement disabilities, however, if you are travelling alone, it is necessary to call if you want to use the access for the disabled, therefore it is recommended to travel with an accompanying person. We recommend the hotel-restaurant "Smilga" and cafe "Svetainė" which are disabled friendly. The route will take 2-4 hours, depending on your abilities and visited objects. The length of the entire route is ~2.5 km (when also visiting Janina Monkutė-Marks museum-gallery).
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Old Market Square and Complex of Synagogues, Senosios Rinkos a. 12
It is the oldest trade square, formed in the 15th century. The Complex of Synagogues includes a 17th century Summer Synagogue (rebuilt in Baroque style after a fire in the 18th century. Now an Art School is established here) and 19th century Winter Synagogue – Multicultural Centre, where exhibitions are organized, and the history of Kėdainiai Jewish community is introduced. Tuesday–Friday 10.00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Entrance to the Multifunctional Centre (former Small Winter Synagogue) is available, the first storey is accesible for visitors. The Great Synagogue can be observed from the outside. An Art School is established there. There is a stone paving and an uneven path in the Old Market Square.
Česlovo Milošo street
The Nobel Prize winner (1911–2004) was born and spent his childhood in Kėdainiai District, Nevėžis Valley, therefore the street going along Nevėžis River is named after him. The street also has a "Milošofonas" - a chair dedicated to Č. Milošas. From this street, you will be able to view the oldest building in Kėdainiai, the brick St. George's Church (Šėtos str. 10). It is a gothic church built in the middle of the 15th century. Legend says that it was built by the crusaders in place of a pagan temple, after chopping down a large forest. In 1549-1627, it was occupied by Protestants. Open during services. Go through the sidewalk.
Great Market Square and Monument to the Radvilas
Former trade square formed in the 16th century. Monument to the Radvilas "Chest" built in 2006 (author A. Bosas). 17th century houses of glaziers (Didžioji str. 4, 6) – 17 century Dutch style homes with expressive pediments. One of them has a cosy art gallery-shop "Stiklių namas". Town Hall, Great Market Square – Renaissance town hall was built in the middle of the 17th century. It is one of the three town halls remaining in Lithuania. It had a Magistrate, the cellar had a prison and a room for the town's executioner. Today, a Civil Registry Office is established here. You can observe the courtyard of the Town Hall which is decorated with sculptures and a unique Rococo sun clock built in the beginning of the 19th century. The courtyard is open on Monday-Friday 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m., Saturday 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. 17th century burmist Anderson's house has remained in the southern part of the square. The square has an uneven paving. Take the sidewalk of Radvilų street and move towards the Evangelical Reformed Church.
Evangelical Reformed Church and Mausoleum of Dukes Radvilas, Senoji str. 1
The renaissance temple was built in the middle of the 17th century. Its constructions were funded by Dukes Radvilas. Reformers called the temple the cathedral – it was the largest and most important one in Žemaitija. It has survived up to this day with only minor changes. The crypt of the church has a mausoleum of Dukes Radvilas. The remains of Kristupas Radvila Perkūnas, his grandson Jonušas Radvila and other family members rest in embellished Renaissance and Baroque sarcophagi. In front of the church, on the other side of Senosios str., are the 17th century Homes of Rectors where reformer priests would live. May–October Tuesday-Saturday 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., for other times, please call (8 347) 53685. You need to ask the staff to unlock the central gates, and overcome a step. Entrance to the church for visitors with movement disability is available. It is not possible to move down to the crypt, however it is opened and the sarcophagi are perfectly visible in the crypt from above. If you travel alone – please call in advance.
Traditional Crafts Centre the Arnet's House of Kėdainiai Regional Museum, Radvilų str. 21
Established in the first half of the 17th century, in the house of a Scot merchant. Certified craftsmen provide lessons here, exhibitions are held and lectures are provided. Monday-Thursday 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., Friday 8:00 a.m. – 3:45 p.m.
Entrance for the disabled is available, inside there is an elevator which can be used to go to the second floor. If you travel alone – please call in advance by tel. 8 645 05168
Take the sidewalk of Senoji street towards Didžioji street, one of the oldest streets of the Old Town, which preserved its archaic irregular direction. It was formed as a trade route to Žemaitija. The street from Senoji str. is designed for pedestrians only. In the corner of Senoji–Didžioji str., there is a house (land plot of 17th century Scot merchant) with an installation "The Golden Age of Kėdainiai" (author Feliksas Paulauskas).
Kėdainiai Regional Museum, Didžioji str. 19
Established in 1922, it operates in the former 18th century monastery of the Carmelites and 19th century army barracks building. Tuesday-Saturday 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. There is a steep step at the entrance, however the staff have a ramp that can be used to go over it. The first floor of the museum is accesable without any problems.
St. Joseph's Church and Bell Tower, Radvilų str. 10
Carmelite monks built the wooden church and bell tower in 1766, where traditional folk forms match the pretentious Baroque style. It was turned into a warehouse during the Soviet era. 18th century altars, paintings and Rococo organs were preserved. Closed on Mondays. The entrance is adapted.
You move further Didžioji street. There is car traffic from the juction of Didžioji-Josvainių streets, where you move to the right sidewalk, towards Šviesioji gymnasium. There is a possibility to drive inside.
Šviesioji Gymnasium, Didžioji str. 62
Šviesioji Gymnasium (Gymnasium illustre) grew out of a protestant school established in 1625. Constructions of the ornate Renaissance building were funded by Duke Jonušas Radvila. Reformist culture spreaders and promoters of Lithuanian writing gathered in the gymnasium, where they prepared and printed a publication in the gymnasium printing house Knyga nobažnystės krikščioniškos. After the 1863 Uprising, the building was occupied by Tsar's army. Soldiers once again occupied this place after World War II until 1991. Gymnasium pupils returned to the restored school in 2002. The architecture's Renaissance, Baroque, Classicism and Contemporary Eclectic Styles work well together. The two-storey Renaissance arcade is particularly attractive. Open Monday-Friday 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.; Saturday 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. You drive in to admire the remaining 17th century Renaissance courtyard.
The Christ Conversion Orthodox Church, Gedimino str. 2
The first wooden Orthodox Church was built in Kėdainiai as early as in the 17th century, however it decayed. In 1861, according to the project of N. Ikonikovas, a new temple was reconstructed from the building that was already standing there. Until World War I, Tsar's soldiers, officers and Orthodox believers would pray here. Piotr Stolypin was the most famous representative of the Orthodox community. Memorial plaques are built to commemorate him. You can observe the Orthodox Church from the outside.
Janina Monkutė-Marks museum-gallery/ J. Basanavičiaus str. 45
Private museum-gallery established by the emigrant artist Janina Monkutė-Marks. The museum exhibits the artist's works, organizes the exhibitions of the works of Lithuanian and foreign artists, and disseminates art. It is further away from the Old Town, therefore you will need to go there by car. The gallery is adapted for disabled visitors.
You can go there by car until you reach the 19th century Minaret, to which you can come very close, but only observe it from the outside. There was a manor homestead established in the town's park in the 19th-20th century, which belonged to the town's owners Čapskiai and Totlebens. The manor house was destroyed. Only the minaret, parts of cellars, gates, vases and the 19th century scenic park remain. From the minaret, you can drive through the bridge crossing Dotnuvėlė River. There are even paths laid for pedestrians and cyclists. It is a wonderful place to take a walk. The park is decorated with Dotnuvėlė dam, and you will also discover sculptures there. There are small hills. The town's events are organized in the park.
Kėdainiai surroundings: Paberžė 1863 Uprising museum is adapted for the disabled. It is possible to view the exposition located on the first floor. Česlovas Milošas Residential Cultural Centre (Česlovas Milošas birthplace) is adapted for visits.
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