Kavarskas

Infobox Settlement
name = Kavarskas
nickname =
settlement_type = City
pushpin_

pushpin_label_position =
pushpin_map_caption =Location of Kavarskas
image_shield = LIT Kowarsk COA.jpg
latd=55|latm=26|lats=0|latNS=N|longd=24|longm=55|longs=0|longEW=E
coordinates_display= inline,title
coordinates_type = type:city(707)_region:LT
subdivision_type = Country
subdivision_name = LTU
subdivision_type1 = Ethnographic region
subdivision_name1 = Aukštaitija
subdivision_type2 = County
subdivision_name2 = Utena County
subdivision_type3 = Municipality
subdivision_name3 = Anykščiai district municipality
subdivision_tyep4 = Eldership
subdivision_name4 = Kavarskas eldership
subdivision_type6 = Capital of
subdivision_name6 = Kavarskas eldership
established_date = 1538
established_title = First mentioned
established_date2 =
population_total = 707
population_as_of = 2007
timezone=EET
utc_offset=+2
timezone_DST=EEST
utc_offset_DST=+3

Kavarskas (pronunciation|Kavarskas.ogg), with a population of only 700, is the fourth smallest city in Lithuania. The Šventoji River flows through the town. In 1956 near Kavarskas a water lifting station was built and part of the Šventoji River's water was channeled to the Nevėžis River. Nowadays there is a water-power plant operating there.

History

In place of the modern town, in the 15th century there was the Mažieji Pienionys (Little Pienionys) estate. At the end of 15th century Grand Duke of Lithuania Alexander Jagiellon transferred the estate to Stanislovas Kovarskis, the treasurer of the king. As he had no successors, the estate was inherited by his brother, Andrius Kovarskis, the canon of the Vilnius Cathedral. Thus the name of the Little Pienionys estate was changed to Kavarskas.

In written sources Kavarskas was first mentioned in 1538. In that year a church was built. In the 16th century, Kavarskas and the surrounding area belonged to nobles Astikai, later – Ogiński (Oginskiai), Tyszkiewicz (Tiškevičiai), and Siesickiai. In 1956 Kavarskas was granted town rights.