Once a small, modest town in Lithuania, it became the state capital overnight in 1919 and forever transformed the architecture in Lithuania. Between World War I and World War II, the capital city of Vilnius fell under Polish control, which led Kaunas to become a temporary capital. Kaunas instantly became the most influential city in the country and required rapid development of state buildings, offices, public buildings and many more. The modernist development in Kaunas during this interwar period became an architectural masterpiece like no other, drawing the immediate attention of architects and artists worldwide, and international tourism continued over a century later. In 2023, modernist Kaunas architecture of optimism was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List as it was recognised as a testament to the ‘rapid urbanisation that transformed the provincial town of Kaunas’. UNESCO subtitled the project ‘Architecture of Optimism’ as an ode to the town of Kaunas prevailing in this interwar period as they embraced the belief of regaining their independence.
Background of Modernist Architecture
By turning its back on ornament and endorsing a minimalist approach, modernism quickly became the most influential new style and ideology of architecture in the 20th century. The architectural term ‘ornament’ refers to the detailing of structural elements that do not aid in the structural composition but are used decoratively, for example, in the order of classic Greek columns. Stripping back the ornamentation of architecture allowed designers to focus on functionality.
The modernist style adapts the worldwide motto of ‘less is more’, enabling a more rational use of materials, which produces a strong and impactful building. Some of the world’s most renowned architects, such as Le Corbusier, were pioneers of the modernist movement. The mass modernist development in Kaunas enabled modernism to have the power it does today. Modernist Kaunas met UNESCO’s criteria IV for displaying an outstanding example of architecture, illustrating a significant stage of human history as the development became a historical landmark for modernist architecture worldwide.
What makes the Modernist movement of Kaunas unique?
Modernist architecture was at its prime in the interwar period, and Kaunas was not the only city promoting this style. However, what sets Kaunas apart is the sheer number of modernist buildings erected between 1919 and 1939. A staggering 12,000 buildings in the modernist style were built in Kaunas, with over half still standing today. This dense concentration of modernist buildings in Kaunas is a unique feature that has transformed the city into a hub for the modernist style, a distinction no other European city can claim.
The interwar modernist architecture in Kaunas was designed by some of Lithuania’s most established architects, like Feliksas Vizbaras, Vladimiras Dubeneckis, Karolis Reisonas and Arnas Funkas, amongst many others. Besides the Lithuanian architects, international architects brought influences and knowledge from Germany, Italy, and France, creating more culturally open designs that invited the rest of the world. The seamless blend of international design ideologies with subtle references to Lithuanian symbols, national art, and local traditions boasts the power of such simple designs.
The most influential modernist buildings of Kaunas
Among the 12,000 properties erected during the interwar period, various architectural pieces have become figureheads for modernist Kaunas. One example of these pieces is the House of the Iljinas family, designed by Arnas Funkas. The charming two-storey home stands as one of Lithuania’s most iconic interwar homes with innovative approaches using large yet soft windows that wrap around the exterior’s curves, filling the interior with light. The first floor was designed as a home for the couple, and the top floor was rented out as an apartment, leading to an exterior concrete fire staircase addition, further elevating the building.
In 1922, the idea was conceived to construct a memorial church in Kaunas that resembled the rebirth of Lithuania, and thus, the Christ’s Resurrection Church was created. The design of this modernist church strays far away from traditional architectural styles in Lithuania, such as Gothic, Baroque, and Renaissance, which use a more ornamental approach. The Christ’s Resurrection Church follows a simple, symmetrical design with a robust shape standing tall as a testament to the country’s faith.
One of the most famous landmarks arising from modernist Kaunas is the Central Post Office. This bold architecture follows a perfect line of symmetry along the façade, incorporating sharp and curved surfaces. The exterior is constructed with warm-toned masonry, similar to the exterior colour of another Kaunas icon, the Moze Posvianskis and Hiršas Klisas apartment building. This resident building boasts a beautifully curved structure with a more organic approach in mind for the exterior volume. This building is an example of one of the pieces that used foreign references and styles to influence the architectural design.
Experiencing Kaunas is not simply about the buildings’ architecture; the city, with its layouts and connecting routes, is what makes it such a special place. The urban design of Kaunas ties the subtle pieces of modernist architecture in with the tranquil natural landscape. The 100m-long Kaukas Stairway connects the two main areas of the city, Žaliakalinis and Naujamiestis, taking people up through a serene walkway of lush trees changing colours along with the season. The city’s main avenue, named ‘Freedom Boulevard’, stretches over 1.6km, with seasonal vegetation running through the centre. The iconic avenue leads to the city’s most influential cathedral, making it the true heart of the city that continues to serve its original function today.
Google Arts & Culture. (2024). Modernist Kaunas: Architecture of Optimism, 1919-1939, Lithuania. [online]. Available at: https://artsandculture.google.com/story/modernist-kaunas-architecture-of-optimism-1919-1939-lithuania-unesco/lwVhCwNnMHCqwQ?hl=en#:~:text=1939UNESCO%20World%20Heritage-,House%20of%20the%20Iljinas%20family,furnishings%20all%20incorporate%20modern%20solutions.
Kami. (2024). Guide to impressive modernist architecture in Kaunas, Lithuania. [online]. Available at: https://www.mywanderlust.pl/modernist-architecture-in-kaunas-lithuania/
RIBA. (2024). Modernism. [online]. Available at: https://www.architecture.com/explore-architecture/modernism
UNESCO. (2023). Modernist Kaunas: Architecture of Optimism, 1919-1939. [online]. Available at: https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/1661/
Visit Kaunas. (2024). Interwar Architecture. [online]. Available at: https://visit.kaunas.lt/en/see-and-do/sights/interwar-architecture/
Image 1. Martynas Plepys. Kaunas city centre. [Photograph]. Available at: https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/1661/gallery/
Image 2. Shutterstock. Freedom Boulevard. [Photograph]. Available at: https://www.wanderlustmagazine.com/inspiration/things-to-do-in-kaunas-in-lithuania/
Image 3. tripadvisor@Vadim_12 (2018). Christ’s Resurrection Church. [Photograph]. Available at: https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Attraction_Review-g274948-d23558956-Reviews-Kaunas_Christ_s_Resurrection_Basilica-Kaunas_Kaunas_County.html#/media-atf/23558956/359494186:p/?albumid=-160&type=0&category=-160
Image 4. Martynas Plepys. Moze Posvianskis and Hiršas Klisas apartment building. [Photograph]. Available at: https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/1661/gallery/
Image 5. Martynas Plepys. The Kaukas Stairway. [Photograph]. Available at: https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/1661/gallery/
