Veisiejai

Infobox Settlement
name = Veisiejai
nickname =
settlement_type= City
image_shield =LIT Wiejsieje COA.gif
pushpin_

pushpin_label_position =
pushpin_map_caption =Location of Veisiejai
latd=54|latm=6|lats=0|latNS=N|longd=23|longm=42|longs=0|longEW=E
subdivision_type =Country
subdivision_name =LTU
subdivision_type1=Ethnographic region
subdivision_name1=Dzūkija
subdivision_type2=County
subdivision_name2=Alytus County
subdivision_type3=Municipality
subdivision_name3=Lazdijai district municipality
subdivision_type4=Eldership
subdivision_name4=Veisiejai eldership
subdivision_type6=Capital of
subdivision_name6=Veisiejai eldership
established_date =1501
established_title=First mentioned
established_date2=1956
established_title2=Granted city rights
population_total =1,637
population_as_of =2007
timezone=EET
utc_offset=+2
timezone_DST=EEST
utc_offset_DST=+3

Veisiejai (pronunciation|Veisiejai.ogg) is a city in the Lazdijai district municipality, Lithuania. It is located convert|18|km|mi|abbr=on south-east of Lazdijai. The Esperanto language was created in Veisiejai where L. L. Zamenhof started his practice as an ophtalmologist in 1885. There is a church dedicated to St. George (built in 1817), an old estate with a park, high school, kindergarten "Ąžuoliukas", a post office (postal code LT-67043), a museum and monuments dedicated to the composer J. Neimontas and L. L. Zamenhof.

Veisiejai is one of few towns that are located in a lake peninsula. The western part of the town is surrounded by a park from the 18th century. There are several lakes in the vicinity of the town. The biggest of them – Ančia – divides the town into two parts. Lake Snaigynas is in the east, Lake Vernijis in the north, and Lake Veisiejis in the southwest. The town is named after the lake Veisiejis which is situated 6 km south-west of Veisiejai.

History

Veisiejai estate was first mentioned in 1501. The town was first mentioned in the 1st half of the 16th century. Duke of Slutsk Jurgis Olelkaitis managed to get market privilege in 1525 and built first church in 1526.

Between 1950 and 1959 Veisiejai were center of district. In 1956 became town. Coat of Arms of Veisiejai was approved by the President of Lithuania on March 23, 2000. The arms weere created by Laima Ramonienė.

Estate and park

Estate in Veisiejai was established in the 15th century. In 1501 Grand Duke Alexander assigned his standard-bearer J. Glinskis to manage this estate. Later Veisiejai became property of Masalskis family and Lithuanian hetman V. Masalskis built a palace in the 18th century. Only one wing survived until present time.

Veisiejai estate park, situated near estate, is one of oldest in Lithuania. Initiative from Ogiński family in XIX century, park was redecorated to landscape park. In 1950-1959 park with 17,5 ha area was started to be looked after. 22 stores wheel of tilias and growing ash tree with 30 m height and 5,1 size are important elements in park. In 1988 was opened memorial for international esperanto language creator L. L. Zamenhof.