Naujamiestis, Panevėžys

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Naujamiestis is a small town in Panevėžys County, Lithuania, located southwest of Panevėžys on the Nevėžio river near a pine forest. It had 725 residents in 2011. The town has a history dating back to the 16th century and once hosted a Karaite guard unit. A parochial school was established around 1584 after education was mandated, making it one of Lithuania’s early schools. Over the centuries it belonged to noble families such as the Radvilas, Oginskiai, and Karpiai, and in 1667 the manor belonged to Duke Jonuš Radvila with 357 peasants. In the 19th century it was the county center. On May 15, 1958, it became a city-type settlement, and during the Soviet era it was the center of a large collective farm with a dairy and repair shop. It was declared a town again on November 12, 1991 and has hosted cultural plein airs since 2006. In 2007 a fire badly damaged the town church, destroying its towers and interior; the coat of arms was approved in 2008. The town features a monument to victims of the 1905-1907 revolution in the old cemetery and has a nearby Karaites cemetery. In winter Naujamiestis is known for large straw sculptures that are burned at a festival attracting thousands.