The name of the district derives from the village of Karolinka that once stood here. Another name for this new suburb was suggested based on another nearby village – Šaltūnai; nevertheless, the name Karoliniškės was chosen.
A young architect, Kazimieras Rimantas Balėnas, from Klaipėda was commissioned to design the district of Karoliniškės due to his success while designing a few districts of Klaipėda. Together with his wife, Genovaitė Balėnienė, he was given the unenviable task of creating a new district right next to the praised district of Lazdynai, which had recently received the highest accolades. To stand out and make sure the district had its own distinctive character, the theme of space and celestial bodies was chosen. Shops with names such as ‘Kometa’ (Comet), ‘Merkurijus’ (Mercury), ‘Saturnas’ (Saturn) invited residents, and the street names were also given celestial names, such as Perkūno (the God of Thunder), Žvaigždžių (the Stars) Žaibo (Lightning), Viesulo (Whirlwind), Mėnulio (The Moon). The dark red pre-fabricated concrete-panels of 5-, 9-, and 12-storey blocks of flats joined together in a cross shape were intended to be the distinctive feature of the district. During the design process, the initially planned 18-storey blocks of flats were rejected. Construction of the roads in Karoliniškės began in 1970 and was completed in 1976.
Karoliniškės is also famous for the Television Tower, the tallest building in Lithuania. After the tragic events of 13 January 1991, it became a symbol of the fight for independence. Nine streets in Karoliniškės were renamed after the fallen heroes.
What are you going to learn about / see on this route?
- Why is the SODRA (Social Security) building funnel-shaped?
- Where is the only bridge of ties in Lithuania?
- What do Karelia and Karoliniškės have in common?
