Radviliškis

Infobox Settlement
name = Radviliškis
nickname =
settlement_type= City
pushpin_

pushpin_label_position =
pushpin_map_caption =Location of Radviliškis
image_shield = Radviliskis COA.gif
latd=55|latm=48|lats=|latNS=N|longd=23|longm=33|longs=|longEW=E
coordinates_display= inline,title
coordinates_type =region:LT_type:city(20000)
subdivision_type = Country
subdivision_name = LTU
subdivision_type1 = Ethnographic region
subdivision_name1 = Aukštaitija
subdivision_type2 = County
subdivision_name2 = Šiauliai County
subdivision_type3 = Municipality
subdivision_name3 = Radviliškis district municipality
subdivision_type4 = Eldership
subdivision_name4 = Radviliškis town eldership
subdivision_type6 = Capital of
subdivision_name6 = Radviliškis district municipality
Radviliškis town eldership
Radviliškis eldership
established_date = 1529
established_title = First mentioned
established_date2 = 1923
established_title2= Granted city rights
population_total = 20,339
population_as_of = 2001
timezone=EET
utc_offset=+2
timezone_DST=EEST
utc_offset_DST=+3
website=http://www.radviliskis.lt

Radviliškis (pronunciation|Radviliskis.ogg) is a city in the Radviliškis district municipality , Šiauliai County, Lithuania. Radviliškis has been the administrative center of the district since 1950, and is an important railway junction.

History

Radviliškis was founded at the end of the 15th century. It was first mentioned in the book on state economics by M. Downar-Zapolsky listing the cities taxpayers in 1567. In 1687, Jan Sobieski, the king of Lithuania and Poland, granted the right of holding a market to it.

Radviliškis was devastated many times by military forces, plaque and hunger in the 17th – 19th centuries. There were no citizens left in Radviliškis after the plague in 1708–1710.

Town growth began when the Liepāja–Romny railway line, crossing the town, was built in 1870 and Radviliškis–Daugavpils line was built in 1873. Railwaymen constituted the majority of the residents.

In 1999, a sculpture of the Victory goddess Nike was unveiled in the center of Radviliškis to commemorate the eightieth anniversary of the victory over the united German–Russian West Russian Volunteer Army. It was created by sculptor P. Mazuras.

Name and coat of arms

Supposedly, the name originated from the name of nobleman family Radvilos. This family ruled Radviliškis for more than 200 years, from 1546 to 1764.

A rising and light-emitting horse, representing communication, motion, city development and flourishing, is depicted in the coat of arms of Radviliškis. The light is a symbol of civilization's role in the city development. It was created by artist Laima Ramonienė in 1992.

Attractions

Radviliškis, settled on everglades, was famous for its railway and black-from-locomotive-smoke sparrows.

The three symbols of the town are the railways, bulrushes, and black sparrows.

There are Evangelical-reformed, Protestant, Lutheran, and Orthodox chapels, Jewish synagogues and Catholic Churches in Radviliškis.

The stone windmill of Radviliškis was erected in remembrance of the violent and triumphant battles in 1919 against the German–Russian armed forces.

The wooden belfry of Radviliškis parish's Blessed Virgin Mary church of the Immaculate Conception is a topical architecture monument. It was set in 1878. The belfry burned twice. It was reconstructed in 1984.

External links

* [http://www.radviliskis.lt Official website]
* [http://www.vilniusconsult.lt/index.php/pageid/113/print/1 Feasibility and EIA study for Radviliskis WWTP]