The first image show the Cathedral – the most important catholic church in the country at the moment. The shape it has now was given sometimes at the end of 18th century. During Soviet times this was the Picture Gallery, where you could enjoy the local and international collection of historical paintings. The statues on the top of the façade were taken down after the 2nd WW. When the Soviets crashed, it was one of the first churches to go back to its original function. It was the place were anti-Soviet demonstrations took place. Later the sculptures were rebuilt, few more monuments erected in the area, thus turning the place again back to one of the ideological centres of the town.

Second image is again a church. A protestant one, build more or less at the same time as the cathedral. During the Soviet times it served as a cinema theatre. It was a special one. It was called Chronicle and featured only documentaries about Soviet life. It was the cheapest cinema in the city. Its natural – no one would like to go there to watch movies, so people were sent in groups to become a part of political education. It was also favourite with drunks, especially during winter time – just as a cheap place to sit calmly and drink a bottle or two.  

The third image is again a cinema theatre at present. It’s one of new cinemas of recent years, showing mainly Hollywood production. But the building in Soviet times was something else. It was a Culture Palace of Trade Unions. After the fall of USSR its huge spaces were few times used for raves until it became Flood of Cinema.

The next one is once more time a cinema theatre. But this time – a former one. It was one of the theatres from Soviet times called “Victory”. I guess, originally it was build as a cinema theatre and existed until few years ago. But its very well know even today as during the weekends it’s the only place downtown to buy pirate cds. Come here on Saturday and Sunday mornings and you’ll get anything you want. If you come in the afternoon, you could participate in party “For those who are more than 30 years old”.

The fifth image again shows soviet culture house. This was the Culture Palace of Railroad Workers. But its legend comes from the years of Independence. At the beginning of nineties it was turned into a club, featuring rock concerts, raves and even the only alternative art gallery up to now. Right now it has different name – The Hook, given after the piece of art on his façade done by well-known Lithuanian artist Mindaugas Navakas for the above mentioned gallery. Unfortunately gallery disappeared some four years ago. After a fire, concerts were stopped too. So at the moment you’ll only find a small punk meeting place called “Green Club”.