Napoleon's Route Through Lithuania

In June 1812, Napoleon crossed the Nemunas River into Lithuania with the largest army ever assembled in European history — over 600,000 men. Six months later, fewer than 100,000 survivors staggered back across the same river. Lithuania still bears the marks of this catastrophic campaign. Markers along Napoleon's route can be found from the Nemunas crossing point near Kaunas to Vilnius, where he briefly established his headquarters. The Kaunas Ninth Fort area was near the original pontoon bridge crossing, and several towns along the route have monuments or museums dedicated to the campaign.