Happy TravellerWelcome to Alytus, a city with municipal rights in southern Lithuania. As the capital of Alytus County, it is the historical centre of the Dzūkija region and offers visitors a unique glimpse into Lithuanian culture and history. The city’s population in 2022 was 53,925, and it is situated on the banks of the Nemunas River. Major roads linking Vilnius, Kaunas, Lazdijai (border with Poland), and Hrodna in Belarus pass through Alytus, making it an easily accessible and convenient destination for tourists. Divided onto two separate entities for centuries, it consists of two parts still frequently referred to as Alytus I and Alytus II, the earlier being a smaller town and the latter forming the city centre with parks, microdistricts, and industrial areas.
Name
The name Alytus is derived from the Lithuanian hydronym Alytupis. In other languages, the names of the town include Polish: Olita, German: Aliten, Russian: Олита Olita, Belarusian: Аліта Alita, Yiddish: אליטע Alite.
History
Alytus has a rich and fascinating history, dating back to 1377 when it was mentioned in the Chronicles of Wigand of Marburg under the name of Aliten. According to the chronicle, the spot was occupied by a small, wooden fortress guarding the Lithuanian frontier with the Teutonic Order. The fort and the surrounding village gradually grew, despite being frequently a target of raids of both the Lithuanians and the Teutons.
The Treaty of Lake Melno left the town on the Teutonic side of the border, but it was retaken soon afterwards. On 15 June 1581 Grand Duke of Lithuania and King of Poland Stefan Batory granted the town the city rights based on the Magdeburg Law. Until the Partitions of the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth the town was a part of the Trakai Voivodeship of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania and a notable center of commerce on the Nemunas River, serving as the main route for export goods from Lithuania proper.
The town was also important as the place where one of the royal economic offices was located. In the third partition of Poland and Lithuania, in 1795, the town was divided between the Russian Empire and the Kingdom of Prussia. During the Napoleonic Wars, following the Treaty of Tilsit, the western part was ceded to the Duchy of Warsaw. After the Congress of Vienna, it became part of the duchy’s successor state, the Kingdom of Poland.
Although the state was tied with a personal union with Russia, both parts of the town remained completely separate until the January Uprising of 1863. After that date, the autonomy of Poland was liquidated, but both parts of the town remained governed separately. In the late 19th century, the town was incorporated into a chain of Russian fortified garrisons along the border with East Prussia. It was tied with the rest of the world by a railway and a new road.
In addition, the Tsarist authorities constructed several barracks and an Eastern Orthodox church (in modern times converted to a Catholic church). However, despite the fortification effort by the Russians, during World War I, the Central Powers managed to capture the town intact, without any major skirmish.
In 1915, the town was incorporated into the so-called Ober Ost and both parts were once again united into a single administrative entity for the first time since 1795. Following the end of World War I, the area remained contested by newly independent Poland and Lithuania, with the actual control held by the German army stationed in the area. When the Germans withdrew in early 1919, the town was seized by the Red Army. On 12 February 1919, the town became a battlefield for the first skirmish between the Russians and the Lithuanian forces, which eventually took control over it. Since then, the town has been a part of the Republic of Lithuania.
During World War II, Alytus was under German occupation from 22 June 1941 until 15 July 1944. Following the German occupation of the city in 1941, the camp was converted into a prison camp for Soviet soldiers (Stalag 343). The 1965 Soviet-era book Masinės žudynės Lietuvoje, 1941–1944 lists two major mass graves in Alytus: Vidzgiris forest, then at the southeastern suburbs on the left bank of the river, estimated 60,000 people, most likely Jews from the eastern Soviet Union, and the Alytus forest, then at the eastern suburbs, estimated 35,000 people, most probably Soviet prisoners of war. Historian Gintaras Lučinskas argues that these numbers were politicized and grossly inflated, and the actual number of victims is in single digits of thousands.
Climate
Alytus has a humid continental climate with quite large seasonal differences.
Culture
Alytus offers visitors a range of cultural experiences to explore. The city hosts the Art Strike Biennial between 18 and 24 August 2009 in response to Vilnius becoming European Capital of Culture for 2009. This included a demonstration and a three-sided football match. The universal indoor Alytus Arena hosted the Eurobasket 2011 Group C matches in Alytus. In 2010, Alytus was awarded the Honourable Plate of the European Council.
Alytus has a museum dedicated to veterans of both the Afghan wars. The city has also hosted several Bonsai exhibitions with participants from European and other countries, such as Japan and the United States. Alytus has hosted an annual Tomato tasting since 2007. Participants offer a wide variety of tomatoes and discuss the various factors which help produce a rich crop of the fruit. Alytus has an industrial company named Snaigė, which manufactures refrigerators.
Twin towns – sister cities
To promote international friendship and understanding, Alytus is twinned with several cities around the world, including Grodno, Belarus, Lida, Belarus, Petrozavodsk, Russia, and Smarhonʹ, Belarus.
Whether you’re interested in exploring Alytus’ rich history, immersing yourself in Lithuanian culture, or simply enjoying the city’s natural beauty, Alytus has something to offer every visitor. Come and discover this hidden gem for yourself!
