The sounds of clattering guns, talking warriors and neighing horses. This is the army of Queen Bona Sforza varnished underneath the Kaunas Castle. The Royal Army is always ready to defend the city. This castle located in Kaunas, which is the oldest stone castle in Lithuania, is mysteriously woven by this and other legends.

During the turbulent times of the crusaders, the sounds of hooves and clattering steel blades in the territory of the castle echoed throughout many years. The straightest way to penetrate the heart of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania was via Kaunas, since the Kaunas Castle was the most important point in the line of defensive castles guarding the western border.

Even in the medieval chronicles, the Lithuanian idolators were praised as heroic warriors. On several occasions the troops of the Teutonic Order unsuccessfully tried to cross the Nemunas. Even spies were sent to find out the thickness, depth and height of the walls of the Kaunas Castle! Finally, in March of 1362 the enemies succeeded. The crusaders between the Nemunas and the Neris dug a ditch, poured a pile and prepared for a fierce siege. After a tense struggle, the crusaders destroyed the castle and celebrated the victory by conducting a mass of sacred Easter right on the ruins. The legend tells that the Duke Vytautas witnessed all of this as a child and promised to crush the crusaders.

Six years later, the foundations of the inner walls turned into the second castle of Kaunas, the walls of which still remind of the important preparation for the Battle of Žalgiris. However, having gained Magdeburg rights in 1408, Kaunas became an important centre of economy and administration, whereas the castle became representative. Having fulfilled his old promise, Vytautas would frequently stay in the beloved Kaunas Castle and accept his guests. In the 16th century a prison was established here, where Shig-Ahmet, the son of Achmat, the famous Khan of the Golden Horde, was imprisoned. The residents of Kaunas frequently speak of ghosts appearing in the castle and the stone walls let through the sounds of moaning of restless prisoners.

The enemies would often storm the castle standing in between of the two largest rivers, the Nemunas and Neris. But now, more than 650 years later, we enjoy it ourselves and believe the future generations will too. It may be true that the place name "Kaunas" originates from the word "kautis", which means "to fight". The strong spirit of the fighters has survived both in the hearts of the local people and in the walls of the Kaunas Castle.