In Lithuania, heritage is nurtured, castles and especially manors are brought back to life. You can safely travel around Lithuania and get to know the country’s history by visiting the estates of Pakruojis, Birzai, Telsiai, Paezeriai and other estates.
The city of Marijampole is proud of its founder and cherishes her image. Marian monks are considered the founders of Marijampole. They arrived in these places in 1750 by invitation of Countess Pranciska Butleriene, the wife of the elder of Prienai, who lived in the days of the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth (that is, the Kingdom of Poland and the Grand Duchy of Lithuania or Rzeczpospolita). The first to arrive was Marion Czech Adalbert Voitecus Strachs. This is how the monastery was created, and later the town around it.
It is said that the countess, in order to choose a place for the Marian church, used to walk from her mansion along the coast of river Sesupe and recite the rosary. After each Lord‘s prayer, a linden tree was planted, and the end of the Rosary marked the site of the church. This road was nicknamed Rozanckelis- Rosary Way. It is believed that the Countess was constantly followed by cats while walking through Rosary way. So the creators of today’s urban image thought that cats can be a great part of the urban image. While renovating the most popular spaces of the city, the architects paid attention to the closed courtyard in the city center, which was largely abandoned at the time. It was soon redesigned, with benches and a fountain with cats. Now the Cats Yard is a popular place where concerts are held in the summer, and city residents and tourists like to pet the cats of the fountain, because they fulfill their wishes. Only desires do not have to be related to money or possessions. The courtyard is constantly decorated with new wall paintings dominated by cats. One of the tasks for tourists is to count how many cats can be seen in the yard.
Currently, the image of Countess Pranciska Butleriene and cats are increasingly being used to attract tourists. The Marijampole Tourism Information Center has prepared an excursion route “On the Rosary Way of Countess Butleriene”, along which the most important and interesting historical places of the city are visited: The Kvietistis manor, where the countess lived, is also famous for the fact that Napoleon stayed there during his march to Russia. Other objects – the military town, Meskučiai mound, the old cemetery, the oldest streets of the city, St. Basilica of St. Michael the Archangel, Marian Monastery. Countess also appeared – a long-time cultural worker, professional guide Vida Mickuvienė often dressed in 18th century clothes and led tours for city guests.
The ancient dance ensemble “Reveransas” exists in Marijampole college and this ensemble also uses the image of Countess Butleriene. The dancers have prepared the program “Tea at Countess Butleriene” and regularly organizes ancient dance festivals in Marijampole.
Therefore, the influence of European heritage on the city of Marijampole is obvious and it is constantly nurtured and takes on new forms.
