Klaipeda is a town on the Baltic Sea in Lithuania. It is the only seaport and has a major ferry terminal situated close to the mouth of the Curonian Lagoon. Until 1919 Klaipeda was part of Germany and known as Memel, and its population remained largely German until 1945. It is bisected by the River Dane and the main sights are in the Old Town (Senamiestis) on its southern bank, an area of half-timbered buildings and cobbled streets. At the heart of the Old Town is Theatre Square (Teatro aikste) named after the ornate Neoclassical Theatre building on its northern side. Hitler spoke from the balcony in March 1939 after Germany annexed Klaipeda in its last act of territorial aggrandizement before the outbreak of war. The Soviets transformed Klaipeda, as the foremost ice-free port in the Eastern Baltic, into the largest piscatorial-marine base in European USSR. A gigantic shipyard was constructed.
Transportation in Klaipeda
By Car: Lithuania has the most developed motorway network in the Baltics with the A1 motorway linking the capital Vilnius to Klaipeda.
By Train: There is a direct train to the capital Vilnius with journey times from 4 1/2 hours. From there direct connections to the rest of Europe are avialable.
By Ferry: Services run from the port of Klaipeda to Kiel in Germany.
The History Museum was established in 1924. All museum activities are oriented towards preservation, research, fostering and promotion of Klaipeda city and Lithuania Minor historical heritage. It has over 56,000 exhibits. The Lithuanian Maritime Museum is a Complex of museums consisting of the Maritime Museum and Aquarium (located in the 19th century Kopgalis fort), Curonian Spit Nature Museum and Dolphinarium. Core activities include museum work (fields: navigation and shipping history, marine biology) and breeding sea animals. The Clock and Watch Museum consists of three parts: development of clock and watch constructions; development of clock and watch-making styles. The Picture Gallery has many exhibits including the Pranas Domšaitis collection which is 528 pieces of art, a present for Lithuania from Lithuanians’ fund in USA. The Folk Artists’ Showroom has 5 halls with exhibts changed every 2 weeks.
