EXCURSION AROUND KLAIPĖDA

Project Overview

Either by car or on foot, it is really worth to visit the most famous and beautiful places of harbour city. Not only the old town of Klaipėda is worth of your attention, by car you can visit and check out the most remote new blocks of the city and ferries, or together with a guide you can visit the old town, and later look around the surrounding resort towns.

Klaipėda – the oldest city of Lithuania, mentioned for the first time in 1252 under the name of Memelburg. Till XV century the city was developing closer to the castle, in the islands formed by Danė branches. The castle was rebuilt several times, city was relocating as well. Till late XV century southern edge of the city was reaching modern Theater plaza. In late XVI century street and block network was completely formed, later it did not change much. Gallows were near the main crossroad, and near the bridge was a pillar of shame gossip spreaders and debauchees were chained to it. Since 1595 fairs were taking place in the old town, up till XIX century they were lasting for two weeks. Merchants from the most remote locations of the region came to them. In the XVII century two individual parts of Danė river oxbow lake were growing in parallel: the old town and the so called district of the animal hide street, which was later renamed to Frydrich town.

Historical old town of Klaipėda is rich with objects and stories. You can visit it on your own or with a local guide, who will show you and tell about the most important objects of the city, phases of the city growth and development.
City is full of places of interest, historical buildings and museums. You can see the “bird’s eye image” of the city by visiting the tower of  Klaipėda’s St. Mary The Queen Of Peace Church. By ascending to the 46.5 meter height church tower (by stairs) you will be able to enjoy panoramic views of the entire city from the church tower.

For those who like nature and plants, we suggest to visit botany garden of Klaipėda University. It is established in the old Tauralaukis park, on the right bank of Danė river. Here you can enjoy collections of dendrologic, herbal and spice plants as well as perennial and annual flowers.

Friendship with Klaipėda on foot can be started from the historical location of the Klaipėda old town, by the entrance to the Friedrich passage and the continue the friendship along the Path of Kings. It is best to do this accompanied by the guide. Over this path you would wander through the Tiltų street through the former location of St. John’s church towards the city hall. By following the footsteps of kings you would travel towards Liepų street while listening to the stories about the queen Louise, ruler romance and respect to one another, about the hope and belief that they provided to the nation, about the edicts that were in effect throughout the Prussia, but were proclaimed precisely in Klaipėda (Mėmelis).

Ferry ports are also worth visiting, they are an integral part of the city. Various art galleries are often established under the open sky in summer, many sculptures commemorating historical events are placed here.