Kėdainiai Minaret — Attraction in Kėdainiai

The Kėdainiai minaret is the only free-standing minaret in Lithuania. It is located in the city of Kėdainiai, in the city park, between the Kėdainiai train station and the Dotnuvėlė River. The minaret was erected in 1880 by a Russian general, Eduard Totleben, who was the owner of an estate in Kėdainiai. It was built to commemorate his service in the Russian-Turkish war, in which he had participated. Local legend claims that it was constructed in memory of his Turkish lover. The minaret is typical of Ottoman architecture. It is needle-topped, 25 meters high and has a balcony which can be reached by interior stairs. There are two plaques affixed to its wall. One is written in Ottoman Turkish and describes a beautiful palace built by the Ottoman sultan. The second plaque bears an Arabic inscription from the Koran, sura Al-Baqara, verse 255 āyatu-l-kursī which says "Who is it that can intercede with Him (God) except by His (God's) permission" ? The minaret may have been erected for a mosque. For a while, the minaret was joined to a house and was used as a place of residence. Today, it stands alone, after being damaged and repaired a...

A local calling card) The first big challenge faced by tourists is to reach the minaret. Car or taxi doesn't get you there. There are two ways to see it. The shortest way is to arrive at the railway station, walk around it, cross the railroad tracks and go straight. Another option takes more time because you have to bike or walk around the park and follow the online map. The park looks not very well maintained but there's a beautiful landscape. The second challenge is to get inside the building. It could be closed. Unfortunately, the minaret looks worse than photo. But still the minaret is a unique building of 1880s in Lithuania and it is...

Way to this attraction is not very good and should be properly maintained. The location itself should be mainatined better as well but really nice place to do some pictures as the minarer itself is quite...