Kazlų Rūda

Kazlų Rūda is a city in the Marijampole County in southern Lithuania. It is located 27 km north from Marijampolė. The city is surrounded by forests, but a railway line crosses the city and divides it into almost equal parts.

The former Soviet Army Kazlų Rūda airbase is 5 km northeast of Kazlų Rūda.

History
The settlement was founded by Polish Masurian grubbers. In the 19th century, iron was mined here and iron axes etc. were produced.

During World War I, it was occupied by Germany. During World War II, it was occupied by the Soviet Union from 1940, by Nazi Germany from 1941, and then once again by the Soviet Union from 1944.

Economy
Inter IKEA Holding operates a manufacturing plant in the city.

Sport

 * FK Šilas Kazlų Rūda football club;
 * FK Kazlų Rūda football club;
 * Kazlų Rūdos miesto stadionas (Stadium of Kazlų Rūda);
 * Sports center of Kazlų Rūda;

Twin towns – sister cities
Kazlų Rūda is twinned with six cities:
 * 🇵🇱 Frombork, Poland
 * 🇩🇪 Sondershausen, Germany
 * 🇵🇱 Lwówek, Poland
 * 🇺🇦 Koriukivka, Ukraine
 * 🇵🇱 Olecko, Poland
 * 🇵🇱 Gołdap, Poland