Varniai (; Samogitian: Varnē; ) is a city in the Telšiai County, western Lithuania. In the Middle Ages the city was known as Medininkai (Samogitian: Medėninkā). It was established in the 14th century, on the bank of the Varnelė River, near an important Samogitian castle. It was the center of Samogitian Catholic church: after the baptism of Samogitia, the Samogitian Bishop resided in the town. Around 1414–1416 the first church was built, and c. 1464 the first cathedral. Varniai was the center of Samogitian episcopate until the middle of the 19th century, when authorities of the Russian Empire moved it to Kaunas. With support of Merkelis Giedraitis, Mikalojus Daukša translated and made ready for publication Katechizmas, the first Lithuanian language book printed in the Grand Duchy of Lithuania, then part of the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth. It was also residence of Motiejus Valančius. Gallery Notable residents Boris Schatz Merkelis Giedraitis Mikalojus Daukša Motiejus Valančius External links Varniai – A Resourceful Renaissance Center of 16th Century Cultural and National Ideology Park of Varniai and history of Varniai Museum of Samogitian episcopate Website of Varniai Cities in Telšiai County Cities in Lithuania Telšiai District Municipality Telshevsky Uyezd