The Chernobyl of Lithuania
November, 2021
The Soviet monuments in Lithuania are long gone. However, a small town next to a nuclear power plant on the border with Belarus stands as a reminder of Soviet times.
In the town of Visaginas, everyone speaks Russian. The city was built during the 70’ties to accommodate the workers of the nearby Ignalina Nuclear Power Plant, which is quite similar to the one in Chernobyl. Truly a Soviet town, which can be seen in the countless block-style apartment buildings.
I arrived late in the evening by train from Vilnius. The journey itself takes 3 hours on this old train
When arriving at the train station in Visaginas, a free bus waits outside for the passengers to take them into town. The town has no hotels – but one can find accommodation in apartments on Booking/AirBnb
First thing to cross off my bucket list – and the reason I came to Lithuania – was to see the nuclear power plant. I took a taxi out there, I think it cost 20€ there and back. It was a nice foggy day and I got these photos:
As the meter was running, I did not spend so much time there. I quickly regret it, as locals in Visaginas told me that they also offer tours around the power plant for those interested…
The town itself can be described in one word: Blocks. That is essentially what the town is, and what makes it interesting for those who are curious about Soviet architecture
I was invited into a Belarusian culture center, which also served as a sort of Visa center. The man working there told me about how local men would search for wives in neighboring Belarus. A couple of customers came in seeking guidance on how they could go to a sanatorium (SPA) in Belarus.
Locals suggested I visit restaurant “Banga” (Wave in English, Volna in Russian) by the lake in the old House of Culture (Russian: Dom Kultury). Sadly at that time, I did not take any photos of this. The restaurant is located inside the old House of Culture and can be found here:
The town has a couple of bars with friendly locals. I asked a man to recommend me some beers, to which he said “Budweiser”. A Russian man drinking American beer? I found it funny – but he probably did not understand my humor
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They also had a restaurant, which at night served as a discotheque. While eating a delicious (I assume) Armenian meal, Russian pop music started playing loudly on a speaker. I ordered some beers and talked with a man, who I got to know has worked as a taxi driver in the city I live in. The company I was sitting with told me that everyone leaves the town if they want to earn money. To Vilnius or abroad.
On the way back to Vilnius I met some covid-protesters who stopped me on the street. They were of the opinion that the vaccine caused infertility, and were shocked to hear that I had taken it – which I now regret…
Visaginas is surrounded by forrests, and is in fact the most “Green” town I’ve seen. Trees between every block.
All in all I had a good time in Visaginas. The town itself is not so colourful, which adds to the Soviet charm. However, it lacks Soviet monuments and art. This has all been taken down. I believe that the locals did not agree to this…