Independence Square in Panevėžys Memorial site

In the center of Panevėžys city.

During the years of the Tsarist Russian occupation, this space was called Church Square. It was used for parades of the Tsarist Russian army and exercises of military units. During the years of the Kaiser German occupation, prisoners of war of the Russian army were held here.

After the restoration of the Lithuanian state, this square began to be called Vytautas Square (in honor of the Grand Duke of Lithuania). In 1925, at the initiative of the Society for the Return of Lithuania, a memorial tree - an ash - was planted in the square, dedicated to the first national Lithuanian newspaper "Aušra" (1883–1886). In 1928–1929, to commemorate the 10th anniversary of Lithuania's Independence, Panevėžys Spring Festival participants erected the Independence Cross next to the Holy Trinity Church bordering the square. In 1934, to commemorate the 15th anniversary of the liberation of the city of Panevėžys from the Bolsheviks, Vytautas Square was renamed Independence Square.

During the Soviet occupation, in 1948, the square was renamed Komsomol Square. The church adjacent to the square was closed and its churchyard was abolished.

In 1990, the name Independence Square was returned to the space. To give meaning to Independence, in 1990 a monument to the Reborn Nation was erected on the square, in 2001 a monument to Lieutenant Colonel of the Lithuanian Army Jonas Variakojas (1892–1963), in 2002 a monument to the residents of Panevėžys County who were murdered by employees of Soviet repressive structures, died in exile, and died in the partisan movement and camps.

In 2016–2023, the square was renovated, forming memorial-representative, movement, music, recreation and shopping zones.