Marijampole

Marijampolė is the administrative centre of the Suvalkija (Sūduva) region of southern Lithuania, with a population of about 36,000. It is an industrial town with a university and light industry, situated on the Šešupė River near the Polish and Kaliningrad borders. The town was rebuilt on a grid pattern after wartime destruction, giving it a distinctive layout.

Marijampolė has a turbulent history. An earlier settlement burned down in 1765, and a new town grew up around the monastery of the Marian Fathers, hence "Maryam-pol." It burned again in 1868 and was rebuilt in stone. During World War II, most of its substantial Jewish population were massacred, and the Soviets then deported thousands to Siberian gulags. The post-war town was rebuilt and has a functional, industrial character with some notable churches and museums.

Climate is continental with cold winters (averaging −4 °C in January) and warm summers (averaging 22 °C in July). The town centre is compact and walkable.

By Plane

The nearest airport is Kaunas (KUN IATA), 70 km northeast, with budget flights from across Europe.

By Train

Marijampolė railway station is 500 m east of the town centre. One train per day runs from Kraków via Warsaw and Białystok, arriving at 15:40. Trains from Kaunas run every couple of hours, taking about 1 hour. For timetables and fares see LTG Link.

By Car / Road

From Kaunas, take the A5 southwest, which continues as S61 to Warsaw. From Vilnius, take the A16 west. The drive from Kaunas takes about 1 hour.

The town centre is compact and walkable. Local buses connect to nearby towns.

• St Michael's Basilica (Šv Arkangelo Mykolo bazilika) — the principal Roman Catholic church, Bažnyčios g 3.

• Kazys Grinius Presidential Museum — a cottage where the Lithuanian president lived 1904-14, Bažnyčios g 23. Tu-F 09:00-18:00, Sa 11:00-17:00. Adult €1.

• Bulota House Museum (Muziejus Bulotų namai) — a traditional timber villa of a lawyer's family, P Vaičaičio g. Tu-F 09:00-18:00, Sa 11:00-17:00. Adult €1.

• Church of St Vincent de Paul — built in 1888 at Vytauto g 31.

• Poetry Park — a green space with sculptures on the riverbank west of Mercure Hotel.

• Pope John Paul II Chapel — a modern oak-built chapel in traditional Baltic style, J Ambrazevičiaus-Brazaičio g 7. Open 24 hours.

• FK Sūduva play football in A Lyga, the top tier, at Marijampolė Arena (capacity 6,250), 2 km north of town centre.

• Stroll along the Poetry Park on the riverbank.

• Namų Restoranas — bright place with good menu, dog friendly, Gedimino g 7. M Tu 11:00-16:00, W-Sa 11:30-23:00, Su 11:00-20:00.
• Senamieščio Legenda — next door to Namų at Gedimino g 6, open daily 10:00-22:00.
• Hesburger — Lithuanian fast food chain, Gedimino g 18, M-Th 09:00-22:00, F Sa 09:00-23:00, Su 10:00-22:00.
• Central Grill & Lounge — within Mercure Hotel.

• Mary J Pub — V Kudirkos g 12, open Su Tu-Th 16:00-23:00, F Sa 16:00-04:00.
• Savi Gastrobar — J Basanavičiaus a 1, M-Th 11:00-22:00, F Sa 11:00-00:00.

• Budget: BHB Hotel at Vytauto g 50, B&B double €40.
• Mid-range: Mercure Marijampole at J Basanavičiaus a 8, doubles from €80. Akmenine Kerpe at Mindaugo g 2, B&B double €80.
• Other: Luna Hotel at 1 Mokyklos gatvė, €48. Marijampolė Camping at Kempingo g 44.

Lidl is the main supermarket at Žemaitės g 22, open daily 07:00-22:00.

• Kaunas — 70 km northeast, 1 hour by train or car. Lithuania's second city.
• Vilnius — 150 km northeast, 2 hours by car. Lithuania's capital.
• Białystok — 150 km west, 2 hours by car. Former textile town in Poland.