Kudirkos Naumiestis

Kudirkos Naumiestis is a small town and seat of the homonymous administrative district of Rajongemeinde Šakiai in the Lithuanian region Suvalkija. It is located 25 kilometers southwest of the urban core Šakiai, near the border with the Kaliningrad Oblast. Kudirkos Naumiestis lies at the confluence of Šešupė and Širvinta.

The settlement was first mentioned in 1561 as Duoliebaičiai. 1639 to 1917 it was known as Vladislavovas (Polish: Władysławów ) ​​by Władysław IV Vasa, the Magdeburg Rights in 1643 awarded him. The German name Neustadt- Schirwindt comes from the river Širvinta ( Schirwindt ). From 1900, the Lithuanian Naumiestis ( Neustadt ) was used instead of Vladislavovas more and more. In 1934 the city received its present name in honor of the poet and publicist Vincas Kudirka, the author of the Lithuanian National Anthem, who lived here from 1895 until his death in 1899. Opened in 1998 Vincas Kudirka museum dedicated to his life and work. It will be shown by him manuscripts, documents and publications. The history of the castle and town, and personalities of the region are the subject of the exhibition.

From 1740 Vladislavovas hosted a well-organized Jewish community. Many well-known rabbis and scribes came from the city. Before the Second World War there were about 3,000 Jews in Kudirkos Naumiestis.

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