Panevėžys was first mentioned in 1503, in documents signed by the King and Grand Duke Alexander I . The city lies on the old plain of the River Nevėžis. The city name means „along the Nevėžis.“ Panevėžys, situated in the centre of Aukštaitija, is sometimes called the capital of the region and has been the fifth largest city in Lithuania for more than a century.
Panevėžys lies in a good geographical position, it is halfway between two Baltic capitals – Vilnius and Riga. The Via Baltica highway runs through the city and connects it to many Scandinavian and West European countries. The city is connected by railway to Šiauliai and Daugavpils, as well as with Rubikiai/Anykščiai and Biržai by narrow gauge railway. This railway having celebrated its 100th anniversary and is declared as a historical monument and serves as a tourist attraction.
Panevėžys is a city of theatres: Juozas Miltinis Drama Theatre, one of the best in Lithuania and Europe. Theatre „Menas“ was established in 1991. The unique Puppet Wagon Theatre which is the only in Europe. It is visiting the villages and towns by a colourful horse-driven cart. Antanas Markuckis, the director of the Theatre was awarded International Prize of Hans Christian Andersen in Copenhagen.