Valkininkai

History

It is believed that Valkininkai was first mentioned in a letter from Grand Duke Jogaila to his brother Skirgaila in 1387. The settlement developed on a large island (since then disappeared) in Merkys River. Situated near the Gardinas–Varėna–Vilnius route, the settlement had a royal estate that Grand Dukes used as a hunting lodge. The route further grew in importance after the 1385 Union of Krewo as it connected the Lithuanian capital in Vilnius with the Polish capital in Kraków. In 1418, Grand Duke Vytautas the Great gave the estate to his wife Uliana Olshanska. In 1503, the town was mentioned as a seat of a volost. In 1516, King Sigismund I the Old accepted envoys of Charles, King of Spain and future Holy Roman Emperor in Valkininkai. A royal cannon foundry, established in 1551 and powered by a watermill, is credited for the growth of the town. Needed iron ore was collected in local swamps and imported from abroad. During the Volok Reform, craftsmen were given land and relocated from the town to nearby villages, which were often named after their craft. Such villages included Čebatoriai (shoemakers), Puodžiai (potters), Kaniūkai (hostlers), Juodieji Kalviai (blacksmiths), Strielčiai (bowmen). In 1571, Valkininkai was granted city rights under Magdeburg law (the privilege was later renewed in 1723 and 1792). According to 1601 register, the town had 150 families (900–1050 people), 19 butchers, 89 pubs, and 157 craftsmen. The town grew as a trade and craft center and attracted the first Jewish settlers. Valkininkai suffered from a series of wars. The town was devastated during the Second Northern War (1655–1660) and lost 75–80% of the population. The royal cannon foundry was looted and closed. In 1701, during the Lithuanian Civil War between Sapieha family and other…

Most-observed species

• Yellowhammer

  Emberiza citrinella Linnaeus, 1758 · Aves
  342
• European Starling

  Sturnus vulgaris Linnaeus, 1758 · Aves
  338
• Great Tit

  Parus major Linnaeus, 1758 · Aves
  333
• Mallard

  Anas platyrhynchos Linnaeus, 1758 · Aves
  329
• Common Crane

  Grus grus (Linnaeus, 1758) · Aves
  314
• Common Raven

  Corvus corax Linnaeus, 1758 · Aves
  309
• Northern Lapwing

  Vanellus vanellus (Linnaeus, 1758) · Aves
  298
• Common Chaffinch

  Fringilla coelebs Linnaeus, 1758 · Aves
  290