Rietavas

Rietavas ( German ( outdated ): Redau, Polish Retów, Russian or Ретово / Retowo ) is a city and the center of the homonymous municipality in the district self-government Telšiai in the Lithuanian region Žemaitija.

History

As a place in the landscape südkurischen Ceclis Rietavas was first mentioned in 1253. In the following 150 years, the area was largely depopulated but in the Litauerkriegen of the Sword Brothers. Only after it was 1411 again became part of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania could develop. 1527 Rietavas is mentioned as a rule and town-like settlement. The first church in the village was built in 1529. After the union of Poland and Lithuania to the Real Union of Lublin Union Žemaitien retained the term principality, in contrast to the eastern parts of Lithuania. From 1589 Rietavas stood there under the rule of the Sapieha. Cities in a magnificent possession were not uncommon among the aristocratic republic. 1667 the powiat ( county ) Rietavas was established. 1792 were Rietavas city rights awarded ( after it had already been mentioned as a town in 1533 ).

Since the Third Partition of Poland in 1795 belonging to the Russian Empire, it was under from 1812 to 1909 the noble family Oginski. In support of the Polish November Uprising the Oginskis weapons and ammunition could be produced here. After the suppression of the uprising in 1835 led them in their own possession by modernization, gave the peasants more rights, founded in 1859 an agricultural school, an iron foundry, a sawmill and a farm equipment factory. At the same time a monumental basilica was built 1853-1874. This was followed by secular cultural institutions: 1875 and 1883 a music school even a symphony orchestra. In 1992, the first phone line in today's Lithuania was created in Rietavas.

City

The town has 3824 inhabitants, in 1970 there were 3371, 1989 even 4490th It houses a high school, a Catholic high school and the college. It is located at the intersection of state highways 164 and 297 a rail connection they never had.