Upon arriving at the oldest street in Jurbarkas – Kauno Street, also known as the Jurbarkas Old Town, we recommend starting your route from the Church of the Holy Trinity. Next to it, you'll find a massive bell that was installed by the Jurbarkas Rotary Club in June 2013 to replace the old one, which was destroyed during the war. The new bell was consecrated to its new life by Monsignor Kęstutis Grabauskas, the parish priest of the Church of the Holy Trinity.
Turning onto the oldest street, you'll first encounter the mysterious "Pantera" sculpture. It is said that the Pantera embodied the pagan goddess Medeina, who did not wish to reveal her true face. As Pantera, this goddess secretly helped women raise children and men hunt. After a day's work, Pantera would return to her fellow goddesses. The Pantera was beloved by people, who built idols and offered gifts in her honor. Today, the monumental sculpture on Kauno Street serves as a reminder of the pagan times and the legends of that era.
A little further, you'll find a fountain that seems to symbolize Jurbarkas's long association with water, given its location at the confluence of three rivers. Also present is the Knecht, a device for mooring boats, symbolizing Jurbarkas's historical connection to river transport. The Knecht reflects the flourishing era of river boating in the region.
Nearby is the "Jurbarkas Švytinės" sculpture. This sculpture commemorates a unique local festival known as "Žiobrinė," where bream fish were traditionally roasted on willow sticks over hot coals. This tradition, which dates back several centuries, is a proud part of Nemunas river fishermen's heritage. It is said that the festival was once visited by President Antanas Smetona, who enjoyed the roasted bream so much that he invited the cook, Onutė Mikutaitė, to the presidential residence to prepare bream for his guests.
On the opposite side of the street, a monumental sculpture tells the story of the towns situated along the Nemunas River, from Seredžius to Viešvilė. The sculpture features the coats of arms of these towns and invites visitors to explore and discover their beauty.
Kauno Street in Jurbarkas was the city's main commercial artery, home to numerous craftsmen, traders, tailors, and various businesses. The building at 33 Kauno Street once housed the first bank in the area – the Jurbarkas Commercial Mutual Credit Society. The monumental plaque commemorates the beginnings of credit intermediation in Jurbarkas. The Jurbarkas Credit Union continues these traditions successfully today.
Since the 20th century, Jurbarkas has been renowned for its goldsmiths. The craftsmen had rolling mills for making gold and silver jewelry. The sculpture here features the names of entrepreneurs who once operated on this street, with the lives of some turning amidst the harsh rolling mills. The padlock from 1940 signifies that the outbreak of World War II led to the suspension of jewelry making. Notable goldsmith families, such as the Puliarovičiai, Abramovičiai, and Krelicai, lived and worked in the building at 31 Kauno Street.
The Synagogue Square Memorial’s central element rises above the waves like a raft. It features a sculptural composition reminiscent of the old wooden Jurbarkas synagogue. This synagogue was the main place of worship and the heart of the Jurbarkas Jewish community. Its unparalleled beauty was a source of pride for the entire community, attracting visitors from distant lands. In late summer 1941, the Nazis and local collaborators destroyed the synagogue and the entire Jewish community of Jurbarkas.
A black marble commemorative plaque on the wall of building No. 64 on Kauno Street reminds us that from 1945 to 1953, this square was the site where the bodies of the murdered Lithuanian freedom fighters were desecrated.
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