The legend of the founding of Rokiškis tells about
a hunter called Rokas who had been hunting for hares (Lit. "kiškis").
However, cities ending in "-kiškis" are quite popular in the region.
The city was first mentioned in 1499 . At first it was Prince Kroszinski's
residence, later count Tyzenhaus build a beautiful neogothic church of St.
Matthias and a manor, which is well preserved today and houses the Rokiškis
Regional Museum. The town was planned in a classicist manner.
Rokiškis was part of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania
and the Commonwealth of
