"Klaipeda - gate to the Baltic sea" Top 5 Page for this destination Klaipeda by satara

Klaipeda Travel Guide: 233 reviews and 487 photos

Fog in Klaipeda (www.klaipeda.lt) - Klaipeda

Memories of Klaipeda

I have many bright and happy memories related to name "Klaipeda", because that was the nearest big city to my home town and my parents were taking me there for some leisure activities.

For me Klaipeda means:
1. Sea;
2. Sea-museum;
3. "Pajurio" bread - the special kind of local bakery baked bread;
4. City of "fachwerkhaus" style houses;
5. City of wet stone streets after the usual rain or brightened by the early morning sun.

I don't come there often, but would like to explore this city more. In this page I will give you some facts and some tips about what to do and what to see there. Some photos are made by me (bad February weather!!) or taken from www.klaipeda.lt (official Klaipeda webpage, check it out).

The best time to visit Klaipeda is in summer, because due to the Baltic sea, the weather is milder: not so hot in summer and not so cold in winter comparing to other parts of Lithuania.

Very interesting history

Klaipeda from above (www.klaipeda.lt)

Adapted from www.klaipeda.lt:
1252. Teutonic Knights built the castle of Memelburg at the mouth of the Dane River. Memelburg gave birth to Klaipeda City. (In some maps they still write "Memel" as Klaipeda's old German name).

1328. According to the agreement of the German Order in Prussia and Livonia, Klaipeda and its surroundings were transmitted to the German Order in Prussia and later became a part of Prussia Duchy and Kingdom.

1525. During Reformation in Prussia, a the Lithuanian Church was established. It enabled the Lithuanian community to consolidate beside the German community. Little by little, Klaipeda started to take the traits of a multi-cultural city.

1540. A fire devastated a large part of the city.

1605. The famous German poet Simon Dach was born. In honour of the poet the sculpture of Anicke was put on the square of Theatre and has become the symbol of the Klaipeda city.

1629-1635. Klaipeda was ruled by the Swedes .

1757-1762. Klaipeda was ruled by Russia .

1808. For one year Klaipeda became the capital of the Kingdom of Prussia, the order of abolishment of serfdom was legislated in Klaipeda, major reforms were started in the Kingdom of Prussia.

1812. Russian platoons occupied Klaipeda.

1854. A fire devastated a large part of the city (that's why only a small old town remained till these days).

1919. As stated in the Versailles Agreement, Klaipeda was separated from Germany and placed under the protectorate of the Entente States (autonomic region).

1923. Klaipeda was returned to the Republic of Lithuania.

As you see, Klaipeda was going from one hands to other due to its strategic position (port). For many years Klaipeda and its surroundings were not a part of Lithuania even Lithuanians lived there, it was called "Mazoji Lietuva" (Little Lithuania). Mazoji Lietuva gave lots of good things for Lithuanian culture - Lithuanian books published, Lithuanian theaters started and so on (as there was no Lithuanian press ban like it was in Lithuania imposed by the Russian authorities on Lithuanian publications from 1864-1904).

Klaipeda remembers all..

architecture in Klaipeda

The architecture of the city resembles to German architecture a lot because for many years Klaipeda belonged to the Germans. Also there are some things still reminding about the French in Klaipeda. And of course - Russian influence..

It seems like it's the most 'cosmopolitan' city of Lithuania!

So if you have time in Lithuania, definitely visit Klaipeda!

Pros and Cons

Pros:Multicultural city with rich multicultural history
Cons:No precise city center or old town
In a nutshell:Experience cosmopolitan lyfestyle near the Baltic sea

Last visit to Klaipeda: Feb 2004
Intro Updated Mar 4, 2004
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Comments (8)

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spe May 22, 2008 at 2:00 AM

Not exists in old location anymore, new address Tiltų g. 18, Klaipėda
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starship Mar 13, 2008 at 6:45 PM

Nice page! I especially like your opening photo. Very interesting tips!
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DPando Feb 2, 2008 at 8:52 AM

hi !! nice pictures nice comments !! many thanks for ur help
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TheTravelSlut Jun 24, 2007 at 7:34 AM

Great work on your Klaipdea pages with tips and photos. Thanks! They will be useful later this summer. Ann, The Travel Slut
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ChristinaNest Nov 9, 2006 at 6:01 AM

Klaipeda looks very charming, I'd like to visit it one day! Happy birthday! Best wishes from Sofia, Bulgaria
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Loeffle Oct 23, 2004 at 10:54 AM

Perfect page from you :) Guide me when I come to Lt again? Aciu! :) Just read some of the rubbish others wrote on Klaipeda ... Your pages rule!
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Yubert Jun 18, 2004 at 6:40 PM

Good tips and pics. Brings back my memories of Klaipeda and Lithunainia. I'd like to go back.
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Carletto76 May 9, 2004 at 8:57 AM

Great page Renata, I really hope to get to Lithuania next summer, and Klaipeda will be a "must visit" place! Thanks for all the infos! ;-)