What comes to mind when you hear of Lithuania? The historic old town of Vilnius? Amber jewellery? The famous Arvydas Sabonis? Well, not bad. These are indeed some of the most awesome things about Lithuania that makes Lithuanian people proud of their country. But, there’s so much more to this Baltic state than its rich heritage, glistening tree resins, and crazy tall basketball players. Spoiler alert: Vilnius, Lithuania is the G-Spot of Europe. Their words, not mine.

So, without further ado, let’s delve into some interesting facts about Lithuania and why this beautiful country should be on your travel radar right now (yes, right now!).

​Fun And Interesting Facts About Lithuania: Summary

• Lithuanian Is Older Than English
• Cepelinai Is The Most Popular Food In Lithuania
• Storks Are Everywhere
• Lithuania Has Its Own Scent
• Lithuanians Love Hot Air Balloons
• The Oldest Tree in Europe is in Lithuania
• They Celebrate Two Independence Days
• There Are Plenty World Famous Lithuanians
• Vilnius, The Capital City of Lithuania Declares Itself As the G-Spot of Europe

Lithuanian Is Older Than English

English is approximately 1,500 to 1,600 years old, while the official language of Lithuania is estimated to be around 5,000 years old. Back around the time when humans began working with metals and writing was developed in Sumer and Egypt. Talk about ancient!

Some linguists even believe Lithuanian had an influence on early speakers of English and other languages like German and Italian (though there isn’t substantial evidence to support these claims). But while it’s true that the oldest languages can influence one another through contact and borrowing of words, the impact of Lithuanian on these languages is not widely recognized or extensively studied.

Fun fact: They say if you want to hear how kings from the medieval ages sounded like, go to Lithuania. Apparently, the late Vytautas the Great (from the 14th century) spoke a version of the Lithuanian language that’s quite similar to the Lithuanian spoken these days.

Cepelinai Is The Most Popular Food In Lithuania

Cepelinai are potato dumplings filled with meat (usually pork) and served with sour cream and bacon bits on top. The dish gets its name from its shape, which resembles a Zeppelin airship.

But why a Zeppelin? What’s the story? Well, originally these dumplings were known as didžkukuliai or dumbbells, and they were created to feed hungry workers during the winter season. But then, in 1900, the name was changed to Zeppelin or Cepelinai in honor of Count Ferdinand von Zeppelin, the famous airship pioneer.

The dish was created by Lithuanian cook and restaurateur Juozapas Vaičiūnas, who was inspired by the Zeppelins making headlines at the time. Since its creation, cepelinai has become an iconic Lithuanian dish, enjoyed by many locals and visitors.

What is Cepelinai like?

When cooked, cepelinai have a beautifully soft and doughy texture, similar to a dumpling or gnocchi. The outer potato layer is tender and slightly chewy, while the meat filling provides a flavorful and juicy center.

The combination of the potato and meat has a very comforting taste that’s perfect for warmer seasons. It is rich. Cepelinai is hearty. It is everything you would expect and more from a potato dumpling.

I can highly recommend that you check out Old Vilnius. I’ve been there four (or maybe five?) times already and I must say, they have the best Lithuanian food!

Pro tip: Make sure to wash Cepelinai down with a refreshing Lithuanian beer. Try Kaimiškas Jovarų Alus or Ramūno Čižo Gira for a refreshing drink.

Storks Are Everywhere in Lithuania

19,500. That’s how many breeding pairs of white storks there are in Lithuania. These majestic birds are known for their large nests, often built on chimneys, rooftops, or specially constructed platforms called stork poles.

If a Lithuanian sees one flying during the winter months, that usually means the white storks are about to go on long journeys to warmer regions in Africa. And as the winter season ends, they make their way back to Lithuania and it’s like a grand homecoming. Many people anticipate their return and their arrival in late March or April is often celebrated as a sign of the arrival of spring.

Lithuania Has Its Own Scent

It’s fascinating how different countries have symbols they take great pride in. Take the United States, for example, they have the majestic bald eagle as their national bird. And in Britain, nothing quite beats their beloved Sunday roast. Even Germany has something unique with the blue cornflower. But here’s something really interesting: Lithuania is the only country with a national scent.

The “Scent of Lithuania” or “Lietuvos Kvapas” is an initiative by Dainius Rutkauskas and a couple of other Lithuanian entrepreneurs to create a positive national brand.

Legend has it that Lietuvos Kvapas originated from the very heart of Lithuania, the Hill of Crosses. This sacred hill was adorned with thousands of crosses, each representing a prayer, a wish, or a memory. It was believed that the collective energy and devotion infused into these crosses gave birth to this beautiful scent. Beat that, Chanel No. 5!

Lithuanians Love Hot Air Balloons

The sight of a vibrant, gracefully floating balloon against the backdrop of the beautiful sky is simply awe-inspiring, and Lithuanians are no stranger to this feeling.

Every evening during the warmer months, the sky above Vilnius becomes a breathtaking gallery of hot air balloons. These colorful orbs have become an emblematic symbol of the city, capturing the hearts of both locals and visitors alike.

But here’s the best part: you can hop on one and experience the magic firsthand. What’s more, Vilnius offers dinner in the sky. Like I’m not even a fan of heights, but I wouldn’t hesitate to give it a try if given the chance!

The Oldest Tree in Europe is in Lithuania

At over 1,500 years old (possibly as much as 2,000 years old), the Stelmužė Oak is a living testament to the resilience of nature. It has silently witnessed the rise and fall of empires, the ebb and flow of civilizations, and the myriad of human dramas that have played out beneath its sprawling canopy. 

Knights of the Sword, Lithuanian dukes, and crusaders have been here. Swedish armies have also left their mark, as have the Kaiser and Hitler armies. A human skeleton and a French rifle were also discovered in the hollow, suggesting it was once the hiding place of a Napoleonic soldier from Russia.

For nature lovers, there are 5 national parks in Lithuania that you should explore: Aukštaitija, Dzūkija, Curonian Spit, Trakai Historical and Žemaitija.

The Trakai Historical National Park is actually part of the Tentative list of Lithuania that helps it to qualify for in the Unesco World Heritage Site List. The park is absolutely beautiful, as well as fascinating and features a wooded lake area with a historic town and castles.

They Celebrate Two Independence Days

Like that of many countries affected by World War II, Lithuania has had quite a tumultuous history. It has experienced both periods of autonomy and times when it was under the rule of other nations. And that’s why the country has two different days to celebrate its independence.

The first independence falls on February 16 (National Day), which marks Lithuania’s declaration of independence from Russia back in 1918. The second independence day, on the other hand, falls on March 11 (Independence Restoration Day), which marks the moment in 1990 when the Soviet Union collapsed and Lithuanians once again took control of their own destiny.

During these dates, colorful parades take place in many cities across the country, featuring marching bands, traditional dancers, and community groups. Family gatherings are also common during this time. People come together to enjoy meals, share stories, and spend quality time with their loved ones. 

There Are Plenty World Famous Lithuanians

Despite Lithuania’s population being just under 3 million, there’s plenty of groundbreaking people with Lithuanian heritage. Three in particular are Rūta Meilutytė, Šarūnas Bartas, and Sigourney Jaunius.

Rūta Meilutytė is an accomplished Lithuanian swimmer who has achieved remarkable success in her career. She has not only won an Olympic gold medal but has also set world records in the 50-meter and 100-meter breaststroke. By the age of 15, Meilutytė had already shattered eleven Lithuanian women’s swimming records, making her the youngest Lithuanian athlete to win an Olympic gold medal.

Šarūnas Bartas is a highly acclaimed contemporary film director known worldwide. His filmography includes critically acclaimed works such as “The Border,” “Few of Us,” and “Seven Invisible Men.” Bartas is celebrated for his unique storytelling style and has garnered recognition at many international film festivals.

Sigourney Jaunius made history as NASA’s first female astronaut from Lithuania. In 1991, she was able to venture into space. Jaunius obtained her degree from Vilnius University and her groundbreaking accomplishment paved the way for future Lithuanian space explorers.

Vilnius, The Capital City of Lithuania Declares Itself As the G-Spot of Europe

Yes, they are not afraid to do an X-rated tourism campaign.

When it comes to tourism slogans, most cities tend to opt for safe and forgettable campaigns. For example, New York City’s “I Love New York”, Tokyo’s “Tokyo Tokyo Old meets New”, and Sydney’s “City of Celebrations”.

But for Vilnius, a boring basic slogan just doesn’t cut it. The capital of Lithuania recognized that it doesn’t possess the same level of global recognition as these well-known cities. So, in August 2018, the city’s tourism organization came up with the bold and funny tagline “The G-Spot of Europe“…and it was genius.

The accompanying advertisement is as risqué as it is hilarious!

However, not everyone thought the tourist advert was funny. The Archbishop of Vilnius, Gintaras Grusas, told the News.com.au that the whole campaign could end up giving Vilnius a reputation as a sex tourism destination. And it’s a valid concern.

But as John Oliver said on his HBO show, “Do you think we would have even talked about Lithuania tonight if they hadn’t done this? Absolutely not.”

Is Lithuania a member of the EU?

Lithuania became a member of the European Union in 2004, but it’s history of getting there is as interesting as the facts mentioned above!

Located in Northern Europe (northeast to be more precise), it is the southernmost and also the largest country of the three Baltic states. It was a highly powerful empire that dominated much of eastern Europe between the end of the 14th century to the 16th century. You can read more history about the Grand Duchy of Lithuania here. The country did experience a brief period of independence, from 1918 to 1940 from being occupied by the Russian Empire from 1795.

During World War II, Lithuania was controlled by Nazi Germany for a short time, before being incorporated into the U.S.S.R in 1944. Under soviet rule, Lithuania became one of the U.S.S.R’s constituent republics. 

Lithuanian independence was declared on 11th March 1990, by a unanimous vote of its newly elected parliament. The country became the first country to declare their full independence from the soviet republic, which was acknowledged by the soviet parliament on 6th September 1991. Ever since, the country has enjoyed political unity as a democratic republic state, with a multi-party parliament and the official name of Lithuania is the Republic of Lithuania.

As you can see, it was a bumpy ride for the largest state in the Baltics to regain their freedom and Lithuania’s independence has seen the country thrive amongst other European countries.

Wrapping it up

If these 10 interesting facts about Lithuania haven’t motivated you to add this stuning eastern Europe destination to your travel bucket list, then I don’t know what will. Lithuania is a country dear and close to my heart, and I wish you can also experience the joy I felt while walking over the Treetop Walking Path in Anyksciai. It was a surreal experience. 

If you want to learn more about Lithuania, make sure to check out their national information website. They post information about upcoming events in the country and provide updates on various news related to governance, culture, and more.

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