Lithuania, Klaipeda: attractions

Klaipeda is a populated place, occupying the third place in the list of the largest cities of Lithuania . His second name is "the Baltic pearl", and it fully justifies itself. In ancient times Klaipeda was called Memel, and it was the Prussian capital. This fact is evidenced by many sights. Klaipeda (Lithuania) - a city in which during the Second World War most of the buildings and fort were badly damaged. Today the city is an important Lithuanian seaport, one of the largest ports of the Baltic Sea, which never freezes.

Quite a bit of history

Klaipeda is one of the oldest cities in Lithuania. Historical studies show that in the first century AD the territory of this city was inhabited by Balts - the ancestors of Lithuanians. In the thirteenth century, Klaipeda became an object of interest to knights belonging to the Teutonic Order, and feudal lords of Germany. They built the castle in the square of the modern city and became the founders of Memel. Until 1525, this place belonged to its founders.

Then Memel at different times was in the hands of both Prussia and Sweden. After the end of the Seven Years' War, he returned to Prussia. Many of Klaipeda's attractions, photos of which are in our article, bear the prints of these times. Memel in the early twenties of the last century found its modern master - Lithuania. The city received another name - Klaipeda.

General information about the sights

As already mentioned above, the city suffered great damage from the Second World War. Therefore, only a few historical sights of Klaipeda have reached us. So, in this list it is possible to bring ruins of the castle on the Curonian Spit, belonging to the XVII-XVIII centuries, quarters where there were stone warehouses, theater buildings and a magistrate. Musical and Drama theaters work in the city. Klaipeda, whose attractions are not only ancient buildings, but also modern institutions, has an aquarium, the Lithuanian Maritime Museum and the Dolphinarium.

The aquarium was set up in the building where the fort was once located. Today this place offers its visitors performances, the main participants of which are sea lions, penguins, dolphins and seals. At different times of the year this institution operates at unequal hours. The road to the museum will introduce guests to the vessel built by Gintaras Paulinis, a local fisherman. He was not a professional sailor, but, thanks to the ancient blueprints of Newfoundland ships, he was able to create a landmark that has been admired to this day.

A bit about the museums of the city

Klaipeda, whose attractions - it's only a small fraction of all that was once in the city, can proudly present to the guests and residents of the village museums that are many. The Maritime Museum deserves special attention. Marine plants, animals, mammals and birds are represented here. More than twenty thousand exhibits consist of a collection of corals and shells. There is an ethnographic fisherman's house in the museum. It represents the life of a fishing village of the 19th-20th centuries. And on the open territory the most real ships and ships rise. On the road to the Maritime Museum is the same ship created by Paulinis. Once he wanted to swim across the Baltic Sea, but his dream did not come true. In the Naval Museum there is a huge aquarium and a dolphinarium, where specialists apply methods of dolphin therapy for the rehabilitation of disabled children.

Another museum that has won the love of tourists from all over the world is the Clock Museum. He settled in an amazing mansion of the 19th century. There were collected objects with which the man tried to determine the time in different epochs: the fire clock, solar, sand, water and stellar. Also there are mechanical watches made at different times - from 16 to 19 centuries, modern products - electromechanical, electromagnetic, electronic and quartz time meters.

Main attraction of Klaipeda

This is rightly considered Memel Castle - this is the only medal castle in the territory of modern Lithuania, which has survived to our days. Klaipeda, whose sights, like most of its historic buildings, have experienced much for their lives, this object protects with special trepidation. Prince of Lithuania Keithut in 1379 completely burned this architectural value. But soon the castle was restored and diligently strengthened. In 1455 the building captured the regiments of the Samogitians, for some time it was under their control. And five years later the Memel castle was rebuilt and strengthened according to the new defense trends. Such reconstructions and misfortunes have repeatedly fallen to the share of this object. During the Soviet era, it was almost impossible to enter the castle, because it required a special permit. At the beginning of the twenty-first century a museum was opened here.

From Vilnius to Klaipeda

The route of Klaipeda - Vilnius and Vilnius - Klaipeda will take you only three hours and twenty minutes (this is if you go by bus). The traveler will have to travel three hundred and thirteen kilometers. You can also drive from the capital of Lithuania to the capital of attractions by car, train, shuttle or fly by plane. But, probably, the best way for such a trip is a trip to the car. This is the only way to carefully consider all the sights of such an ancient and great country as Lithuania.

What is in the city

Klaipeda, whose attractions are numerous enough, invites guests all year round. Those who came to get acquainted with this beautiful city, you need to know that the Clock Museum is located on Liepu Street, 12, and the Maritime Museum is located on Smiltyne Street. And the most important city attraction is Memel Castle - on Pilis Street, 4. Find out more information and see all the attractions of Klaipeda with addresses available on the Internet portals of this amazing city.