Vabalninkas

Vabalninkas (pronunciation ) is a city in the Biržai district municipality, Lithuania. It is located 26 km (16 mi) south of Biržai.

Vabalninkas
City
Center of Vabalninkas
Coat of arms
Vabalninkas
Location of Vabalninkas
Coordinates: 55°58′0″N 24°45′0″E
Country Lithuania
Ethnographic regionAukštaitija
County Panevėžys County
MunicipalityBiržai district municipality
EldershipVabalninkas eldership
Capital ofVabalninkas eldership
First mentioned1555
Granted city rights1775
Population
 (2020)
 • Total852
Time zoneUTC+2 (EET)
 • Summer (DST)UTC+3 (EEST)

History
Old Vabalninkai coats of arms, 1792

Vabalninkas village was mentioned in 1554, Vabalninkas estate in 1555. In 1593, Vabalninkas was assigned to Anne of Austria, wife of Sigismund III Vasa. In 1617 first wooden church was built. Jeronimas Valavičius Grand Treasurer of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania established a parish of Catholics, and a parish school. Since 1618 Vabalninkas is called a town, in 1619 Vabalninkas got a privilege to organise markets.

In 1625 Vabalninkas was devastated by the Swedish army and plague. In 1644 Vabalninkas inhabitants got a privilege to make and sell craft beer.

After the Soviet occupation Lithuanian partisans of Vytis military district were active, namely the Pilėnų tėvūnija (Pilėnai detachment).

Church of Vabalninkas

Notable residents
  • Stefanija Ladigienė (1901–1967), ateitininkai activist, teacher, publicist, exile.
  • Vladas Būtėnas (1923–1993), journalist, publicist.
  • Edmundas Lapinskas (1936), agronomist, professor.
  • Justas Tolvaišis (1954–2008), illustrator, graphic artist.
  • Elazar Shach, rabbi.


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