Molėtai (; ; ) is a city in north eastern Lithuania surrounded by lakes. One of the oldest settlements in Lithuania, it is a popular resort for the inhabitants of Vilnius. According to the 2013 census, it had 6,302 inhabitants. Known for the famous fisherman’s day. The town is located about north of Vilnius and south of Utena.

History

It was first mentioned as a private property of the bishop of Vilnius in year 1387.

On 29 August 1941, 700 to 1,200 Jews were murdered in a mass execution perpetrated by an Einsatzgruppen of Lithuanian "nationalists". The victims of the massacre were commemorated in a march to the site, and a memorial was unveiled there, on the 75th anniversary, in 2016.

Economy

Molėtai hosts a factory of Teltonika, a Lithuanian semiconductor company, which employed 270 people in 2024.

Molėtai Astronomical Observatory, which belongs to Vilnius University, is located near the town. Lithuanian Museum of Ethnocosmology operates next to the observatory.

Notable residents

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File:Molėtai, ženklas.JPG|Molėtai sign

File:Moletai001.JPG|Molėtai Church of St. Peter and St. Paul exterior

File:Molėtų bažnyčia, viduje.JPG|Molėtai Church of St. Peter and St. Paul interior

File:Molėtai, parapijos namai.JPG|Molėtai Church House

File:Jonas nepomukas moletai.jpg|John of Nepomuk sculpture

File:Molėtai, arena.JPG|Molėtai Arena

File:Molėtai, Jaunimo aikštė.JPG|Molėtai Youth Square

File:Molėtai, paštas.JPG|Molėtai post office

File:Molėtai. Globos namai.JPG|Molėtai Child Care Home

File:Molėtai, savivaldybė.JPG|Municipality of Molėtai

File:Molėtai, menų mokykla.JPG|Art School of Molėtai

File:Molėtai, gimnazija.JPG|Molėtai Gymnasium

File:Molėtai, pagr. mokykla.JPG|Molėtai Primary School

</gallery>

References

  • Molėtai tourist information centre (Places of interest)
  • Virtual Tour of Molėtai
  • Town's homepage
  • The murder of the Jews of Molėtai during World War II, at Yad Vashem website.