Alytaus miesto istorinės raidos retrospekcija

LTAlytus savo istoriją skaičiuoja nuo XIV a. Šiandien tai didžiausias Pietų Lietuvos ir šeštas pagal dydį šalies miestas. Šimtametėje jo istorijoje atsispindi ir valstybės gyvavimo istorija: įvairios reformos, karai, negandos, epidemijos, pakilimai ir nuosmukiai. Labai svarbią vietą čia užima ir Nemunas - jis miestą padalijo į dvi dalis. Alytus, pradėjęs kurtis dešiniajame upės krante, vėliau persikėlei kairįjį, kuris ilgainiui tapo svarbesne dalimi. Straipsnyje apžvelgiama Alytaus istorinės raidos retrospekcija remiantis šiuo metu žinoma publikuota informacija, skelbtais faktais, moksliniais straipsniais ir studijomis. Šitame darbe išsamiai aprėpti visos miesto istorijos neįmanoma, todėl straipsnis suskirstytas į atskirus istorinius laikotarpius. Raktažodžiai: Alytaus istorija, Alytaus herbas, III klasės tvirtovė.

ENAlytus traces its history back to the 14th century. However, the archaeological objects of the city and its vicinities witness that people lived here much earlier. At present, Alytus is the largest city of Southern Lithuania and the sixth largest city in the country. The centuries of its history also reflect the history of the State: different reforms, wars, disasters, epidemics, rises and falls. The river Nemunas has taken up a significant part in the history of the city: it divides the city into two parts. Alytus started developing on the right bank of the river, later moving on to the left bank, which eventually became a more important part of the city. In 1581 Alytus was granted the Magdeburg rights and the coat of arms (a white rose under a red background). In 1589 Alytus Economy was established, which promoted the development of the town. Alytus suffered a lot from the wars of the 17th century and the subsequent famine and plague. Numerous fires also added a great deal to the deterioration of the town. In 1776 the town lost its Magdeburg rights. In 1795, after the third division of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth, Alytus was devolved into different states: the right bank of the Nemunas was joined to the Russian Empire, while the left one - to Prussia. Later on, all the territory was joined to Russia (but to its different administrative units. At the end of the 19th century, Russia made Alytus into a fortress of the 3rd class: barracks, bridges and roads were built.Such constructions were useful to the town as the population was growing, trade was developing, new houses were being built, and small industrial enterprises were established. The Germans, who occupied Alytus during WW1, united the town into one administra tive unit in 1917 and transferred the Centre of the County from Kalvarija to Alytus. After the restoration of the Independence of Lithuania in 1918, the town started growing and developing: in 1931 it became a town of the first category, while in 1932 it was granted a status of a resort. Everything was changed by the first Soviet (1940-1941) occupation, which ruined the development of the State and the existing social order and human values. Industrial and trade companies and a part of private houses were nationalized. Many citizens were arrested and deported. 22 June 1941, when Germany attacked the Soviet Union, during the first days of the war a large part of Alytus was destroyed. During the German occupation many citizens were killed, or taken to Germany for work. At the end of the war, a big number of the town residents emigrated to the West.In July 1944, the second Soviet occupation took place: repressions and deportations started again. After the war, the town was being rebuilt very slowly. Everything changed in 1964 after the decision of the Government to make Alytus an industrial town. Large industrial enterprises were built in a short time, and the population started growing. In 1977 Alytus was attributed to the cities of national subordination. After the restoration of the Lithuanian State in 1990, Alytus underwent new economic, social and demographic challenges. With the beginning of economic reforms, some enterprises were privatized, while others went bankrupt. A lot of citizens emigrated. However, the city has changed beyond recognition and has become more beautiful. The history of contemporary Alytus is being created by the city residents.