Ukmergė is a city in Lithuania located northwest of Vilnius that was first mentioned as a settlement in 1333. It began as a wooden fortress located near the confluence of the Vilkmergė and Šventoji rivers. Throughout its early history, the city was attacked numerous times by the Teutonic Knights and Livonian Order. In the 18th century, the city became part of the Russian Empire and was raided by Napoleon's army during the French invasion of Russia. Ukmergė participated in uprisings against Russian rule in the 19th century and had its name changed to Ukmergė after Lithuania declared independence in 1918.
2. Early historyEarly history
UkmergėUkmergė ( ( pronunciationpronunciation ( (helphelp··infoinfo), previously ), previously VilkmergėVilkmergė, is a city in , is a city in
Vilnius CountyVilnius County,,LithuaniaLithuania, located 78 km (48 miles) northwest of , located 78 km (48 miles) northwest of VilniusVilnius,,
with a population of about 27,000 (2010). Ukmergė was first mentionedwith a population of about 27,000 (2010). Ukmergė was first mentioned
as a settlement in 1333. It was essentially a wooden fortress that stoodas a settlement in 1333. It was essentially a wooden fortress that stood
on a hill, near the confluence of the Vilkmergė River and the on a hill, near the confluence of the Vilkmergė River and the ŠventojiŠventoji
RiverRiver. Ukmergė was attacked by the . Ukmergė was attacked by the TeutonicTeutonic KnightsKnights and the and the LivonianLivonian
OrderOrder in 1333, 1365, 1378, 1386, and even in 1391, already after the in 1333, 1365, 1378, 1386, and even in 1391, already after the
ChristianizationChristianization ofof LithuaniaLithuania in 1387. During the last attack, Ukmergė in 1387. During the last attack, Ukmergė
was burned to the ground and had to be completely rebuilt.was burned to the ground and had to be completely rebuilt.
The town was granted municipal rights at some time after the Battle ofThe town was granted municipal rights at some time after the Battle of
Pabaiskas in 1435Pabaiskas in 1435
During the times of the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth, the city hadDuring the times of the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth, the city had
been the center of powiat in the Vilnius Voivodeship.been the center of powiat in the Vilnius Voivodeship.
In 1655, the Swedish and Russian armies plundered the city.In 1655, the Swedish and Russian armies plundered the city.
3. 18th and 19th centuries18th and 19th centuries
In 1795, the town along, with most of Lithuania,In 1795, the town along, with most of Lithuania,
was annexed by Russia, becoming a part of the was annexed by Russia, becoming a part of the
VilnaVilna GovernorateGovernorate..
In 1812, the Battle of In 1812, the Battle of DeltuvaDeltuva, between the, between the
Russian and Russian and FrenchFrench armiesarmies, occurred not far, occurred not far
from Ukmergė; from Ukmergė; NapoleonNapoleon's army raided the town's army raided the town
during the during the FrenchFrench invasioninvasion ofof RussiaRussia..
In 1863, the city participated in the In 1863, the city participated in the JanuaryJanuary
UprisingUprising against Russia. against Russia.
4. 20th century20th century
In 1918, after Lithuania declared itsIn 1918, after Lithuania declared its
independence, the city's name wasindependence, the city's name was
changed from Vilkmergė to Ukmergė. changed from Vilkmergė to Ukmergė.
In 1940, the In 1940, the SovietSoviet occupation of occupation of
LithuaniaLithuania
In 1990 Lithuania again declared itsIn 1990 Lithuania again declared its
independenceindependence
