Rudamina
Encyclopedia
Rudamina is a small town in Alytus County
in southern Lithuania
. As of 2001 it had a population of 296. Rudamina hill fort
, one of the most prominent hill forts of ancient Yotvingians
, is located about 1 km southwest of the town. Nearby tumuli were dated to 3rd–4th century AD. The town traces its history to 1576 when Massalski family established an estate and began cutting down the forest. In 1592, the Massalkis built a Catholic church; the present-day church was built in 1770s. The town received Magdeburg rights
in early 17th century. However, Rudamina never grew larger as it was overshadowed by nearby Lazdijai
and Šeštokai
with its train station. Its population was 269 in 1800, 256 in 1923, 329 in 1959, 367 in 1979.
Alytus County
Alytus County is one of ten counties in Lithuania. It is the southernmost county, and its capital is the city of Alytus. Its territory lies within the ethnographic region of Dzūkija...
in southern Lithuania
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...
. As of 2001 it had a population of 296. Rudamina hill fort
Hill fort
A hill fort is a type of earthworks used as a fortified refuge or defended settlement, located to exploit a rise in elevation for defensive advantage. They are typically European and of the Bronze and Iron Ages. Some were used in the post-Roman period...
, one of the most prominent hill forts of ancient Yotvingians
Yotvingians
Yotvingians or Sudovians were a Baltic people with close cultural ties to the Lithuanians and Prussians...
, is located about 1 km southwest of the town. Nearby tumuli were dated to 3rd–4th century AD. The town traces its history to 1576 when Massalski family established an estate and began cutting down the forest. In 1592, the Massalkis built a Catholic church; the present-day church was built in 1770s. The town received Magdeburg 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...
in early 17th century. However, Rudamina never grew larger as it was overshadowed by nearby Lazdijai
Lazdijai
Lazdijai is a city in Lithuania located about east of the border with Poland. In 1990 Lithuania declared independence from the Soviet Union, and new check points between the borders Poland and Lithuania were established and Lazdijai became the center that oversees and continues to regulate these...
and Šeštokai
Šeštokai
Šeštokai is a small town in southern Lithuania. It is a railway junction on two gauges, and is also a transshipment hub....
with its train station. Its population was 269 in 1800, 256 in 1923, 329 in 1959, 367 in 1979.