Tauragė: A Brief History



Located in the western part of Lithuania, Tauragė is a city with a rich history. It was first mentioned in historical records in 1337, when the Teutonic Order captured the city from the Lithuanians. The city was then known as Taurage or Tauragė, and it remained part of the Teutonic Order until 1562, when it was taken by the Grand Duchy of Lithuania.

During the 16th and 17th centuries, Tauragė was an important trading center and was home to a number of wealthy merchants. The city was also an important religious center, with a number of churches and monasteries being established. In 1633, Tauragė was granted the status of a city, and it remained an important center of commerce and culture until the 19th century.

In 1795, Tauragė was annexed by the Russian Empire as part of the Third Partition of Poland. The city was then part of the Kovno Governorate until the end of World War I, when Lithuania declared independence. After the war, Tauragė was incorporated into the newly independent Republic of Lithuania.

During the interwar period, Tauragė experienced a period of rapid growth and development. The city was home to a number of factories, and it also became a major center of education and culture. The city was also an important center of Jewish life, with a large Jewish population living in the city.

In 1940, Tauragė was annexed by the Soviet Union as part of the Molotov–Ribbentrop Pact. During the Soviet period, the city experienced a period of stagnation, with its economy and infrastructure deteriorating. After the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, Tauragė was once again part of independent Lithuania.

Today, Tauragė is a modern city with a population of around 30,000. The city is home to a number of factories and businesses, as well as a number of cultural and educational institutions. Tauragė is also an important center of Jewish culture, with a number of synagogues and Jewish institutions located in the city.