Josvainiai
Encyclopedia
Josvainiai is a small town in Kėdainiai district, central Lithuania
. It is located on the Šušvė
River 10 km southwest from Kėdainiai
. In the town there is a Catholic church, secondary school, post office and public library.
many times.
The town was granted city rights
and coat of arms
on March 29, 1792. On July 19, 2006 the town was granted renewed coat of arms by a presidential decree.
Jews first settled in Josvainiai in the 17th Century, by 1897, 534 Jews lived in the town, constituting 40% of the total population. There was a synagogue and a Jewish school. Most Jews were expelled during World War I. During their absence, a large part of the town burned down. After the War, some returned. Before the Holocaust, the Jewish population was 270, about 70 families. They lived around the market place and the nearby streets. During World War 2, the Jews were murdered outside the town.
Lithuania
Lithuania , officially the Republic of Lithuania is a country in Northern Europe, the biggest of the three Baltic states. It is situated along the southeastern shore of the Baltic Sea, whereby to the west lie Sweden and Denmark...
. It is located on the Šušvė
Šušve
Šušvė is a river in central Lithuania. It begins in Kelmė district municipality, 6 km southeast from Tytuvėnai. The river passes through Tytuvėnai and Sulinkiai Marshes and flows south through Radviliškis district municipality. Finally, Šušvė passes through Kėdainiai district municipality and...
River 10 km southwest from Kėdainiai
Kedainiai
Kėdainiai is one of the oldest cities in Lithuania. It is located on the Nevėžis River. First mentioned in the 1372 Livonian Chronicle of Hermann de Wartberge, its population as of 2008 was 30,214. Its old town dates to the 17th century....
. In the town there is a Catholic church, secondary school, post office and public library.
History
Historians believe that there was a medieval castle in Josvainiai, and it was attacked by the Teutonic KnightsTeutonic Knights
The Order of Brothers of the German House of Saint Mary in Jerusalem , commonly the Teutonic Order , is a German medieval military order, in modern times a purely religious Catholic order...
many times.
The town was granted city rights
Magdeburg rights
Magdeburg Rights or Magdeburg Law were a set of German town laws regulating the degree of internal autonomy within cities and villages granted by a local ruler. Modelled and named after the laws of the German city of Magdeburg and developed during many centuries of the Holy Roman Empire, it was...
and coat of arms
Coat of arms
A coat of arms is a unique heraldic design on a shield or escutcheon or on a surcoat or tabard used to cover and protect armour and to identify the wearer. Thus the term is often stated as "coat-armour", because it was anciently displayed on the front of a coat of cloth...
on March 29, 1792. On July 19, 2006 the town was granted renewed coat of arms by a presidential decree.
Jews first settled in Josvainiai in the 17th Century, by 1897, 534 Jews lived in the town, constituting 40% of the total population. There was a synagogue and a Jewish school. Most Jews were expelled during World War I. During their absence, a large part of the town burned down. After the War, some returned. Before the Holocaust, the Jewish population was 270, about 70 families. They lived around the market place and the nearby streets. During World War 2, the Jews were murdered outside the town.