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Klaipėda

Coordinates:55°42′45″N21°08′06″E/ 55.71250°N 21.13500°E/55.71250; 21.13500
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For other uses, seeKlaipėda (disambiguation).

Klaipėda
Klaipieda(Samogitian)
City
Old timber framed houses
Teatro aikšté (Theatre Square)
  • From top, left to right: Port of Klaipėda
  • Klaipėda University
  • Old timber framed houses
  • Teatro aikštė(Theatre Square)
  • Swing bridge and Black Ghost sculpture
Flag of Klaipėda
Flag
Coat of arms of Klaipėda
Coat of arms
Nickname:
Uostamiestis (port city)
Map
Interactive map of Klaipėda
Klaipėda is located in Lithuania
Klaipėda
Klaipėda
Location of Klaipėda in Lithuania
Klaipėda is located in Baltic states
Klaipėda
Klaipėda
Location of Klaipėda within the Baltics
Klaipėda is located in Europe
Klaipėda
Klaipėda
Location of Klaipėda in Europe
Coordinates:55°42′45″N21°08′06″E/ 55.71250°N 21.13500°E/55.71250; 21.13500
CountryLithuania
Ethnographic regionLithuania Minor
CountyKlaipėda County
MunicipalityKlaipėda city municipality
Capital ofKlaipėda County
Klaipėda city municipality
First mentioned1252
Grantedcity rights1258
EldershipsMelnragė and Giruliai
Area
• City98.2 km2(37.9 sq mi)
• Metro
1,434 km2(554 sq mi)
Elevation
21 m (69 ft)
Population
(2024)
• City159,403
• Density1,600/km2(4,200/sq mi)
•Metro
217,839[1]
• Metro density146/km2(380/sq mi)
GDP
[2]
• Metro€7.0 billion (2022)
Time zoneUTC+2(EET)
• Summer (DST)UTC+3(EEST)
Postal code
91100-96226
Area code(+370) 46
City budget€362 million[3]
ClimateCfb
Websiteklaipeda.lt

Klaipėda(/ˈkleɪpɛdə/CLAY-ped-ə;Lithuanian:[ˈkɫɐɪpʲeːdɐ]ⓘ;German:Memel) is a city inLithuaniaon theBaltic Seacoast.[4]It isthe third largest city in Lithuania,the fifth largest cityin theBaltic Statesand the capital ofKlaipėda County,as well as the only majorseaportin the country.

The city has a complex recorded history, partially due to the combined regional importance of the usually ice-freePort of Klaipėdaat the mouth of the riverAkmena-Danė[lt].[4][5]Located inLithuania Minor,it was historically a part ofBaltic Prussia,the PrussianState of the Teutonic Order,and later theDuchy of Prussiaunder thesuzeraintyof thePolish–Lithuanian Commonwealthuntil the duchy gainedindependence from Poland in 1657.As part of theKingdom of Prussiait was the northernmost big city of Germany until the 1919Treaty of Versailleswhen it was placed under French occupation. In 1923, theKlaipėda Revoltresulted in the city's annexation by Lithuania, which lasted until all ofMemellandrejoined Germany following the1939 German ultimatum to Lithuania.After WW2 the USSR annexed bothNorth East Prussiaand Lithuania, and joined Memelland into theLithuanian Soviet Socialist Republic.Klaipėda has remained within Lithuania since 1944.

The city continues to experience sustained demographic decline due to flight towards the suburbs and other cities. The number of inhabitants of Klaipėda city shrank from 202,929 in 1989 to 162,360 in 2011,[6]but theurban zoneof Klaipėda expanded well into the suburbs, which sprang up around the city and surrounded it from three sides. These are partly integrated with the city (city bus lines, city water supply, etc.), and the majority of inhabitants of these suburbs work in Klaipėda. According to data from the Department of Statistics, there are 212,302 permanent inhabitants (as of 2020) in the Klaipėda city andKlaipėda districtmunicipalities combined.[7]Popular seaside resorts found close to Klaipėda areNeringato the south on theCuronian SpitandPalangato the north.[8]

Names[edit]

Memel city seal, 1446 (diameter 200 mm (7.9 in)). From the Archive of the Prussian Cultural Heritage Foundation,Berlin.

TheTeutonic Knightsbuilt acastlein the *Pilsāts Land of theCuroniansand named itMemelburg,which would later be shortened toMemel.From 1252 to 1923 and from 1939 to 1945, the town and city were officially namedMemel.Between 1923 and 1939, both names were in official use[clarification needed].Since 1945, the Lithuanian name ofKlaipėdahas been used.

The namesMemelburgandMemelare found in most written sources from the 13th century onwards, whileKlaipėdais found in Lithuanian sources since the 15th century. The city was initially mentioned asCaloypedein the letter ofVytautasin 1413,[9]and in negotiation documents from 1420, the city was namedKlawppeda.[10]In theTreaty of Melnoof 1422, the city's name was listed asCleupeda.According toSamogitianfolk etymology,the nameKlaipėdarefers to the boggy terrain of the town (klaidyti=obstruct andpėda=foot). Most likely, the name is ofCuronianorigin and means "even ground"; it likely originates from a combination of "klais/klait" (flat, open, free) and "peda" (sole of the foot, ground), as a reference to relatively flat terrain of the original settlement's surroundings.[citation needed]

The lower reaches of the riverNemanwere named either *Mēmeleor *MēmelabyScaloviansand local Curonian inhabitants. In theLatvian Curonianlanguage, it meansmute, silent(memelis, mimelis, mēms), as a reference to peaceful flow of the Neman. This name was adopted by German speakers, and also was chosen for the new city founded further away at the lagoon.

The name of the city in theSamogitian languageis spelled slightly differently:Klaipieda.The most notable non-Lithuanian names include:Latvian:Klaipēda;Polish:Kłajpeda;Russian:Клайпеда;German:Memel.

Coat of arms[edit]

Main article:Coat of arms of Klaipėda

The coat of arms of Klaipėda is also used as the coat of arms of theKlaipėda city municipality.The modern version was created by the designerKęstutis Mickevičius.The modern coat of arms was created by restoring old seals of the Memel city (analogous with those used in the years 1446, 1605 and 1618). It was affirmed on 1 July 1992.[11]

History[edit]

Teutonic Knights[edit]

A settlement ofBaltic tribesin the territory of the present-day city is said to have existed in the region as early as the 7th century. The Balts initially established Klaipėda as a trading centre for the storage of goods and annual fairs with the neighbouring Germans.[12]

In the 1240s,Pope Gregory IXoffered KingHåkon IVofNorwaythe opportunity to conquer the peninsula ofSambia.However, after Grand DukeMindaugasofLithuania,theTeutonic Knightsand a group ofcrusadersfromLübeckmoved into Sambia and accepted Christianity. These groups founded a fort in 1252 calledMemele castrum(orMemelburg,"Memel Castle"). The fort's construction was completed in 1253, and Memel was garrisoned with troops of theTeutonic Order,administered byDeutschmeisterEberhard von Seyne.Documents for its founding were signed by Eberhard and Bishop Heinrich von Lützelburg ofCourlandon 29 July 1252 and 1 August 1252.

Preserved historictimber framedarchitecture
Seal of viceregent in Klaipėda, 13th century
Seal of Klaipėda as of 1409 depicting bell towers of theChurches of St. John,St. Mary and St. Nicholas

MasterConrad von Thierbergused the fortress as a base for further campaigns along the riverNemanand againstSamogitia.Memel was unsuccessfully besieged bySambiansin 1255, and the Sambians surrendered on 1259. Memel was also colonized by settlers fromHolstein,Lübeck andDortmund.Hence, Memel also being known at the time asNeu-Dortmund,or "New Dortmund". It became the main town of the Diocese of Curonia, with a cathedral and at least two parochial churches, but the development of the castle became the dominant priority. According to different sources, Memel receivedLübeck city rightsin 1254[13]or 1258.[14]

In the spring and summer of 1323, a Lithuanian army led by Grand DukeGediminascame up theNemanand sieged the castle of Memel, while later he marched to other Prussian, Latvian, Estonian territories controlled by the Order, eventually forcing the Order to sue for a truce in October 1323.[15]While planning a campaign againstSamogitia,Memel's garrison of the Teutonic Order'sLivonianbranch was replaced with knights from thePrussianbranch in 1328. Threats and attacks byLithuaniansgreatly slowed down the town's development; the town and the castle were both sacked by Lithuanian tribes in 1379, whileSamogitiansattacked 800 workers rebuilding Memel in 1389.

After theBattle of Grunwald,the dispute betweenGrand Duchy of Lithuaniaand theTeutonic Orderon Samogitia started.[16]Vytautas the Greatwanted the border to be theNeman River,while the Teutonic Order wanted to haveVeliuonaand Klaipėda in the right side of the river.[16]Both sides agreed to accept the prospective solution ofEmperor Sigismund's representativeBenedict Makraion 1413. He decided that the right side of Nemunas (Veliuona,Klaipėda) were to be owned by Lithuania. Makrai is known to have stated:[17]

We find that the Memel Castle is built in the land of Samogitians. NeitherMaster,nor the Order was able to prove anything opposing.

Nevertheless, no agreement was concluded and fighting continued until theTreaty of Melnoin 1422 stabilized the border between the Teutonic Order and the Grand Duchy of Lithuania for the next 501 years. However, two miles of Lithuanian territories, including Klaipėda, was left for the Order.[18]In 1454, KingCasimir IV Jagiellonincorporated the region to theKingdom of Polandupon the request of the anti-TeutonicPrussian Confederation.[19]After the subsequentThirteen Years' War (1454–1466)the city became a part of Poland as afiefheld by the Teutonic Knights,[20]and thus located within thePolish–Lithuanian union.The rebuilt town receivedKulm lawcity rights in 1475.[21]

Duchy of Prussia[edit]

Panorama of the city with theKlaipėda Castleand the old town in 1674
Historical illustration of Memel (1684)

Against the wishes of its governor and commander, Eric ofBrunswick-Wolfenbüttel,Memel adoptedLutheranismafter the conversion of Grand MasterAlbert of Prussiaand the creation of theDuchy of Prussiaas a fief of theCrown of the Kingdom of Polandin 1525,[22]soon part of thePolish–Lithuanian Commonwealth.Since then, Klaipėda has become the county centre within the Duchy of Prussia.[23]It was the onset of a long period of prosperity for the city and port.[23]Klaipeda served as a port for neighbouring Lithuania, benefiting from its location near the mouth of the Neman, with wheat as a profitable export.[23]The Duchy of Prussia was inherited by a relative,John Sigismund,theHohenzollernprince-electorsof theMargraviate of Brandenburgin 1618.Brandenburg-Prussiabegan active participation in regional policy, which affected the development of Memel. From 1629 to 1635, the town was occupied bySwedenover several periods during thePolish-Swedish War of 1626–1629.[23]

After theTreaty of Königsbergin 1656 during theNorthern Wars,ElectorFrederick Williamopened Memel's harbor to Sweden, with whom the harbor's revenue was divided. Sovereignty of the margraves of Brandenburg over the region was affirmed in theTreaty of Olivain 1660.

The construction of a fortified defence system around the entire town, initiated in 1627, noticeably changed its status and prospects.[23][21]In November 1678 a small Swedish army invaded the Prussian territory, but was unable to capture the fortress of Memel.

Kingdom of Prussia[edit]

Spit fortress

By the beginning of the 18th century, Memel was one of the strongest fortresses (Memelfestung) in Prussia, and the town became part of theKingdom of Prussiain 1701. Despite its fortifications, it was captured by Russian troops during theSeven Years' Warin 1757. Consequently, from 1757 to 1762 the town, along with the rest of eastern Prussia, was dependent on theRussian Empire.After this war ended, the maintenance of the fortress was neglected, but the town's growth continued.

Memel became part of the newly formed province ofEast Prussiawithin the Kingdom of Prussia in 1773. In the second half of the 18th century, Memel's lax customs andRiga's high duties enticed English traders, who established the first industrial sawmills in the town. In 1784, 996 ships arrived in Memel, 500 of which were English. The specialisation in wood manufacturing guaranteed Memel's merchants income and stability for more than a hundred years. During this era it also normalised its trade relations withKönigsberg;regional instability had degraded relations since the 16th century.

Klaipėda Town Hall was the temporary residence of the KingFrederick William III of Prussia,his wife QueenLouiseand their children.[24]

Memel prospered during the second half of the 18th century by exporting timber toGreat Britainfor use by theRoyal Navy.In 1792, 756 British ships visited the town to transport lumber from forests near Memel. In 1800 its imports consisted chiefly of salt, iron and herrings; the exports, which greatly exceeded the imports, were corn, hemp, flax, and, particularly, timber. The 1815Encyclopædia Britannicastated that Memel was "provided with the finest harbour in the Baltic".

During theNapoleonic Wars,Memel became the temporary capital of the Kingdom of Prussia. Between 1807 and 1808, the town was the residence of KingFrederick William III,his consortLouise,his court, and the government.[24]On 9 October 1807 the king signed a document in Memel, later called theOctober Edict,which abolishedserfdomin Prussia. It originated the reforms ofKarl Freiherr vom und zum SteinandKarl August von Hardenberg.The land around Memel suffered major economic setbacks underNapoleon Bonaparte'sContinental System.During Napoleon's retreat from Moscow after the failedinvasion of Russiain 1812, GeneralYorckrefused MarshalMacDonald's orders to fortify Memel at Prussia's expense.

During theJanuary Uprising,in June 1863, Polish insurgents made an unsuccessful attempt of a naval landing near the city's harbor.[25]

German Empire[edit]

Panorama of the city from theCuronian Lagoonin 1880
Central Post Office, the former residence ofFriedrich Wilhelm Argelanderandmonarchs of Prussia[26]

After theunification of Germanyinto theGerman Empirein 1871, Memel became Germany's northernmost city.

The development of the town in the 19th century was influenced by theindustrial revolutionin Prussia, as well as urbanisation.[23]Even though the population of Memel increased fourfold during the 19th century, and had risen to 21,470 by 1910, its pace of development lagged in comparison. The reasons for this were mostly political. Memel was the northernmost and easternmost city in Germany, and although the government was engaged in a very costly tree-planting exercise to stabilise the sand-dunes on theCuronian Spit,most of the financial infusions in the province ofEast Prussiawere concentrated in Königsberg, the capital of the province. Some notable instances of the German infrastructure investments in the area included sandbar blasting and a new ship canal betweenPillauand Königsberg, which enabled vessels of up to 6.5 m draughts to moor alongside the city, at a cost of 13 million marks.

Owing to the absence of heavy industry in the 1870s and 1880s, the population of Memel stagnated, although wood manufacturing persisted as the main industry. It remained the central point of the Baltic timber-trade. A British Consul was located in the town in 1800; in 1900 a British Vice-Consul was recorded there, as well as aLloyd'sAgent.

Early 20th-century view of the city featuring theChurch of St. John

By 1900 steamer services had been established between Memel andCranz(on the southern end of the Curonian Spit), and also between Memel andTilsit.A main-line railway was built fromInsterburg,the main East Prussian railway junction, toSt. PetersburgviaEydtkuhnen,the Prussian frontier station. The Memel line also ran from Insterburg viaTilsit,where a further direct line connected with Königsberg, that crossed the4-kilometre-wide (2+1⁄2-mile) Memel Valley over three bridges before its arrival in Memel.

During the second half of the 19th century, Memel was a center for the publication of books printed in theLithuanian languageusing aLatin-script alphabet– these publications were prohibited in the nearby Russian Empire of which Lithuania was a province.[23]The books were then smuggled over the Lithuanian border.

The German 1910 census lists theMemel Territorypopulation as 149,766, of whom 67,345 declared Lithuanian to be their first language. The Germans greatly predominated in the town and port of Memel as well as in other nearby villages; the Lithuanian population was predominant in the area's rural districts.[27]

Inter-war years and World War II[edit]

Main article:Klaipėda Region
Lithuanian Army parade in Klaipėda Theatre Square in 1923

Under theTreaty of VersaillesafterWorld War I,Klaipėda and the surroundingKlaipėda Region(Memel Territory) were detached from Germany and made aprotectorateof theEntente States.The French became provisional administrators of the region until a more permanent solution could be worked out. Both Lithuania and Poland campaigned for their rights in the region. However, it seemed that the region would become a free city, similar to theFree City of Danzig.Not waiting for an unfavorable decision, the Lithuanians decided to stage theKlaipėda Revolt,take the region by force, and present the Entente with afait accompli.The revolt was carried out in January 1923 while western Europe was distracted by theoccupation of the Ruhr.The Germans tacitly supported the action, while the French offered only limited resistance.[28]The revolt was supported by the Chief Rescue Committee of Lithuania Minor, chaired by Prussian LithuanianMartynas Jankus,which operated since 22 December 1922 with its centre in Klaipėda.[29]TheLeague of Nationsprotested the revolt, but accepted the transfer in February 1923. The formalKlaipėda Conventionwas signed in Paris on 8 May 1924, securing extensive autonomy for the region.[30]

Supreme Commander of the Lithuanian ArmySilvestras Žukauskasin Klaipėda, 1925
Two 1920s posters, representing the historical attachment of Klaipėda to Lithuania in 1923

The annexation of the city had significant consequences for the Lithuanian economy and foreign relations. The region subsequently accounted for up to 30% of Lithuania's entire economic production. Between 70% and 80% of foreign trade passed through Klaipėda. The region, which represented only about 5% of Lithuania's territory, contained a third of its industry.[31]

Visit ofAdolf Hitlerfollowing the German annexation of the city, March 1939

Weimar Germany,under Foreign MinisterGustav Stresemann,maintained normal relations with Lithuania. However,Nazi Germanydesired to reacquire the region and tensions rose. Pro-German parties won clear supermajorities in all elections to theKlaipėda Parliament,which often clashed with the Lithuanian-appointedKlaipėda Directorate.Lithuanian efforts to "re-Lithuanize"Prussian Lithuaniansby promoting the Lithuanian language, culture, education were often met with resistance from the locals. In 1932, a conflict between the Parliament and the Directorate had to be resolved by thePermanent Court of International Justice.In 1934–1935, the Lithuanians attempted to combat increasing Nazi influence in the region by arresting and prosecuting over 120 Nazi activists for the alleged plot to organize an anti-Lithuanian rebellion.[32]Despite these rather harsh sentences, the defendants in theNeumann–Sass casewere soon released under pressure from Nazi Germany.[33]The extensive autonomy guaranteed by theKlaipėda Conventionprevented Lithuania from blocking the growing pro-German attitudes in the region.

As tensions inpre-warEurope continued to grow, it was expected that Germany would make a move against Lithuania to reacquire the region. German Foreign MinisterJoachim von Ribbentropdelivered an ultimatumto the Lithuanian Foreign Minister on 20 March 1939, demanding the surrender of Klaipėda. Lithuania, unable to secure international support for its cause, submitted to the ultimatum and, in exchange for the right to use the new harbour facilities as a Free Port, ceded the disputed region to Germany in the late evening of 22 March 1939.[23]Adolf Hitlervisited the harbour and delivered a speech to the city residents. This was Hitler's last territorial acquisition before World War II.[34]During the war, the Germans operated aforced laboursubcamp of theStalag I-Aprisoner-of-war campforAlliedprisoners of war in the city,[35]andexpelled PolesfromGerman-occupied Polandwere also enslaved as forced labour in the city's vicinity.[36]

1945–present[edit]

Participants' ships of the 2017 Sea Festival in Klaipėda

During World War II, from the end of 1944 into 1945, as Allied victory appeared imminent, the inhabitantsfledas the fighting drew nearer. The nearly empty city was captured by the SovietRed Armyon 28 January 1945 with only about 50 remaining people.[23]After the war the Klaipėda Region was incorporated into theLithuanian SSR,as the post-1937 German occupation of various regions of Europe, including Klaipėda, was considered illegal.[22]

The Soviets turned Klaipėda, the foremostice-free portin the Eastern Baltic, into the largest piscatorial-marine base in the European USSR.[23][5]Shipyards,dockyards,and afishingport were constructed.[23][5]Subsequently, by the end of 1959, the population of the city had doubled its pre-war population, and by 1989 there were 202,900 inhabitants.[23]Initially the Russian-speakers dominated local government in the city, but after the death ofJoseph Stalin,more people came to the city from the rest of Lithuania than from other Soviet republics and oblasts; Lithuanians then became its major ethnic group.[37][23]Among Lithuanian cities with a population greater than 100,000, however, Klaipėda has the highest percentage of people whose native language is Russian.[38]

Costa Pacificain Klaipėda

Until the 1970s, Klaipėda was only important to the USSR for its economy, while cultural and religious activity was minimal and restricted. The developers of aRoman Catholicchurch (Maria, Queen of Peace, constructed 1957–1962) were arrested. The city began to develop cultural activities in the 1970s and 1980s, such as the introduction of theSea Festivalcultural tradition, where thousands of people come to celebrate from all over the country. Based on the Pedagogical University ofŠiauliaiand the National Conservatory of Lithuania in Klaipėda, the University of Klaipėda was established in 1991. Klaipėda is now the home of a bilingual German-Lithuanian institution, theHermann-Sudermann-Schule,as well as an English-language University, LCC International University.

In 2014 Klaipėda was visited 64 times bycruise ships,surpassing the Latvian capital,Riga,for the first time.[39]

Geography[edit]

Climate[edit]

Klaipėda's climate is under the influence of theBaltic Sea.

Klaipėda's climate is considered to beoceanic(KöppenCfb).[6]In July and August, the warmest season, high temperatures average 20 °C (68 °F), and low temperatures average 14 °C (57 °F). The highest official temperature ever recorded was 36.6 °C (97.9 °F) in August 2014. In January and February, the coldest season, high temperatures average 0 °C (32 °F) with low temperatures averaging −5 °C (23 °F). The coldest temperature ever recorded in Klaipėda is −33.4 °C (−28.1 °F) in February 1956.[7] The greatest amount of precipitation occurs in August, with an average precipitation of 85 mm. Meanwhile, the least amount of precipitation occurs in April, with an average of 41 mm.[9]

Climate data for Klaipėda (1991–2020 normals, extremes 1929–present)
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °C (°F) 11.7
(53.1) 		15.4
(59.7) 		18.6
(65.5) 		28.9
(84.0) 		31.2
(88.2) 		33.8
(92.8) 		34.0
(93.2) 		36.6
(97.9) 		30.4
(86.7) 		22.9
(73.2) 		15.4
(59.7) 		11.5
(52.7) 		36.6
(97.9)
Mean maximum °C (°F) 6.1
(43.0) 		5.7
(42.3) 		10.6
(51.1) 		21.0
(69.8) 		26.2
(79.2) 		27.6
(81.7) 		30.0
(86.0) 		29.2
(84.6) 		23.9
(75.0) 		17.5
(63.5) 		11.1
(52.0) 		7.5
(45.5) 		31.3
(88.3)
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) 1.3
(34.3) 		1.3
(34.3) 		4.5
(40.1) 		10.8
(51.4) 		16.0
(60.8) 		19.3
(66.7) 		22.1
(71.8) 		22.3
(72.1) 		17.8
(64.0) 		11.9
(53.4) 		6.3
(43.3) 		3.2
(37.8) 		11.6
(52.9)
Daily mean °C (°F) −0.7
(30.7) 		−0.9
(30.4) 		1.8
(35.2) 		7.1
(44.8) 		11.8
(53.2) 		15.5
(59.9) 		18.4
(65.1) 		18.5
(65.3) 		14.3
(57.7) 		9.0
(48.2) 		4.2
(39.6) 		1.2
(34.2) 		8.5
(47.3)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) −2.9
(26.8) 		−3.1
(26.4) 		−1.0
(30.2) 		3.1
(37.6) 		7.5
(45.5) 		11.6
(52.9) 		14.7
(58.5) 		14.6
(58.3) 		10.8
(51.4) 		6.2
(43.2) 		2.3
(36.1) 		−0.8
(30.6) 		5.3
(41.5)
Mean minimum °C (°F) −13.5
(7.7) 		−12.0
(10.4) 		−7.5
(18.5) 		−2.6
(27.3) 		0.6
(33.1) 		5.9
(42.6) 		9.4
(48.9) 		9.4
(48.9) 		3.8
(38.8) 		−1.4
(29.5) 		−5.1
(22.8) 		−9.0
(15.8) 		−16.4
(2.5)
Record low °C (°F) −32.0
(−25.6) 		−33.4
(−28.1) 		−20.8
(−5.4) 		−12.8
(9.0) 		−5.2
(22.6) 		−2.8
(27.0) 		5.2
(41.4) 		2.9
(37.2) 		−3.3
(26.1) 		−7.5
(18.5) 		−14.6
(5.7) 		−24.1
(−11.4) 		−33.4
(−28.1)
Averageprecipitationmm (inches) 73.4
(2.89) 		50.7
(2.00) 		47.1
(1.85) 		36.2
(1.43) 		43.7
(1.72) 		59.7
(2.35) 		74.1
(2.92) 		96.8
(3.81) 		89.5
(3.52) 		108.3
(4.26) 		90.1
(3.55) 		79.9
(3.15) 		853.1
(33.59)
Average precipitation days 14.77 11.35 10.05 7.45 7.59 9.22 9.42 11.67 11.55 14.86 14.49 15.39 138.72
Averagerelative humidity(%) 85 84 79 76 76 78 78 76 80 82 88 87 81
Averagedew point°C (°F) −4
(25) 		−4
(25) 		−2
(28) 		2
(36) 		7
(45) 		11
(52) 		15
(59) 		14
(57) 		11
(52) 		6
(43) 		3
(37) 		0
(32) 		5
(41)
Mean monthlysunshine hours 34 65 122 180 264 285 274 252 167 100 40 28 1,811
Source 1: Météo Climat[40]
Source 2: NOAA,[41]Time and Date (humidity and dewpoints, 2005–2015)[42]
Coastal temperature data for Klaipėda
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Average sea temperature °C (°F) 3.2
(37.76) 		2.4
(36.32) 		1.6
(34.88) 		4.2
(39.56) 		9.6
(49.28) 		15.0
(59.00) 		18.6
(65.48) 		19.3
(66.74) 		17.0
(62.60) 		12.6
(54.68) 		9.0
(48.20) 		5.8
(42.44) 		9.9
(49.75)
Source 1: Seatemperature.org[43]
The Dutchman's Cap,a 24 m (79 ft) bluff at a regional seaside park

Parks and forests[edit]

Parks:

  • "Treko" Park
  • Park by Reikjaviko and Smiltelės Streets
  • Draugystė Park (Friendship Park)
  • Oak Grove Park
  • Debreceno Street Pocket-Park
  • Thick Linden-Tree Pocket-Park
  • Priestotės Street Pocket-Park
  • Trinyčiai Park
  • Sąjūdis Park
  • Jono kalnelis (Hill of John) park

Forests:

  • Klaipeda Forest
  • Giruliai Forest
  • Smiltyne Forest

Demographics[edit]

See also:Demographics of Lithuania
Residents houses (left) andKlaipėda Castle(right) inc. 1535

Klaipėda was established as an outpost dedicated forGerman crusaders.[23]Initially, Klaipėda developed slowly. In the 13th century, it was often attacked by theSambiansandSamogitians,and in the middle of the 15th century, it was attacked by theGdańskians(for trading reasons).[23]Consequently, in the 13th–15th centuries, Klaipėda was burned or ruined around 20 times.[23]

In the second half of the 15th century, the residents began to settle in a territory of the Klaipėda Old Town, which was on a peninsula of the right bank of the oldDanė[lt].[23]Soon, the reconstruction of theKlaipėda Castlebegan, and all residents moved to the peninsula.[23]

The development of Klaipėda was fueled by the increasing trade of theGrand Duchy of Lithuaniawith theWestern countries.Around 1503, there were 25 families of full-fledged townspeople, while in 1540, there were 107 families. Eventually, in 1589, there were 143 families in Klaipeda.[23][21]TheLithuaniansandCuronianslived alongside the Germancolonists,but themagistratedid not allow non-Germans to joinartisan corporationsand did not grant them rights available to townspeople.[23]In theState of the Teutonic Order,Old Prussiansand Western Lithuanians were not allowed to engage in trade, crafts, and settle in cities. Thus, in theDuchy of Prussia,most of the cities' residents were Germans.[45]Nevertheless, villages inLithuania Minorwere extensively inhabited by Lithuanians,[45]and Klaipėda developed as one of the most important centres of Lithuania Minor.[23]According to thePrussianLaw, all native citizens were initially called as Prussians, while only in the 16th century classification of the population by nationality began.[45]In 1525–1818, Klaipėda was part of the Lithuanian Province (the term was used in state legal documents and Prussian monarchs decrees), which comprised the most Lithuanian territories of Lithuania Minor (the Klaipėda,Tilsit,Ragainė,Įsrūtiscounties).[46]

There were few German colonists inRoyal PrussiawhenPrussian monarchswerevassalsof thePolish kings(1466–1660), and they mostly moved to cities and towns.[45]During theSecond Northern Warin 1656–1657, Lithuania Minor was damaged byTatarsdetached from theArmy of the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth.[45]Following theTreaty of Olivain 1660, Klaipėda become part of theBrandenburg-Prussia constituent state,which led to strengthened oppression of the locals of Lithuania Minor.[45]

Prussian Lithuanians in 1744

In 1701 theKingdom of Prussiawas created and Prussian officials and intellectuals propagated a political direction which claimed that a new nation formed fromPrussian Lithuanians(Lietuvininkai), Old Prussians, and German colonists.[45]In the beginning of the 18th century 300,000 residents lived in the core of Lithuania Minor and up to 100% of peasant farms in theKlaipėda Regionwere Lithuanian, however cities in Lithuania Minor become centres ofGermanisation,cultural assimilation,and colonization.[45][47][48]In 1700–1721 the Prussian Lithuanians population was dramatically decreased in Klaipėda and other Lithuanian counties by theGreat Northern War plague outbreakwhich killed 160,000 (53%) of residents in Lithuania Minor (more than 90% of the deceased were Prussian Lithuanians).[45][49]Following it, the Prussian authorities organized a large-scale German colonization of Lithuania Minor.[45][50]The colonists received various privileges, however they constituted for only 13.4% of residents and quite a few of them later departed to other countries.[45][50]In 1736–1818 Klaipėda was part of Lithuanian Department which had over 340,000 residents.[51]The recovering population was ravaged by theImperial Russian Armyduring theSeven Years' Warin 1756–1763.[45]In 1782 Klaipėda had 5500 residents, in 1790 – 6300.[21]

Borussia(Prussia inLatin) Monument in Klaipėda circa 1920

In theGeneral State Laws for the Prussian States(completed in 1794) theserfdomand privileged position of landlords andcolonistswas consolidated.[45]During theNapoleonic WarsNapoleon Ioccupied most of the Kingdom of Prussia, thus in 1807–1808 Klaipėda was a residence of Prussian monarchs and in 1807Frederick William IIIabolished serfdom.[23]Following the abolishment of serfdom Prussian Lithuanians migrated to Klaipėda, especially its outskirts, and in 1837 they constituted 10.1% of the residents.[23][21]In 1825 Klaipėda had 8500 residents.[21]Moreover, after theUprising of 1863–1864part of the Lithuanian insurgents retreated to Lithuania Minor.[45]In 1855Vitė[lt]was added to the city of Klaipėda, thus the number of population increased to over 17,000 and in 1875 reached ~20,000.[21]BeforeWorld War I,the majority of Lithuanians inKönigsberg Region(which included Klaipėda) integrated into the German nation.[23]In March 1915 the population of Klaipėda was yet again ravaged by the Imperial Russian Army.[23][21]

Theatre Square before 1930

Following theKlaipėda Revoltin 1923, Klaipėda Region was incorporated intoLithuaniaand Lithuanian population in Klaipėda increased due to migration (Lithuanians constituted 30.3% and Germans 57.3% of Klaipėda's 35,845 population in 1925).[23][50][21]German politicians promoted a Memellander ideology and argued that Germans and local Lithuanians were "two ethnicities (Volkstümer), yet one cultural community (Kulturgemeinschaft) ".[52]Lithuania ceded Klaipėda Region toNazi Germanydue to the1939 German ultimatum to Lithuania,however soonWorld War IIstarted and residents of Klaipėda were evacuated to Germany.[23]In the aftermath of World War II almost all the new residents moved to Klaipėda from Lithuania, Russia,BelarusandUkraine,replacing the former German-speaking population (after the war only six old residents remained in the city).[23]Over the years the Lithuanian population in the city continued to grow and constituted: 55.2% in 1959, 60.9% in 1970, 61.5% in 1979, 63.0% in 1989, 71.3% in 2001, 73.9% in 2011.[23]

As of 2020,the population of Klaipėda was 154,332.[53]The latest data shows that there are more women in the city: females make up 54.89% (84,717), males make up 45.11% (69,615).[53]In 2022, Lithuanians constituted 80% of the population in Klaipėda.[54]

Religion[edit]

See also:Religion in Lithuania
Façade of theChurch of St. Johnwith 75-metre tower which dominated in Klaipėda's skyline until World War II, photographed in the 19th century[55]

The first church (possibly chapel) dedicated to the military garrison was built along with theKlaipėda Castlein 1252 and wasconsecratedafterMary, mother of Jesus,although it did not have as much effect for the townspeople, as well as the residents of surrounding villages.[56]Initially, it was planned that Klaipėda would become centre of theBishopric of Courland.[56]Thus, before 1290, a St. Mary's Cathedral was built in the town and a six-memberschaptersettled down in 1290.[56]Nevertheless, the cathedral also did not have much effect on the town's religious life in long-term as bishopEdmund von Werth[de]waived his rights to the cathedral in 1298.[56]Eventually, the cathedral was moved toWindau.[56]

Eberhard von Sayn,theTeutonicGrand Marshal, andHeinrich von Lützelburg[de],the Bishop of Courland, agreed in a treaty to build two churches: one for German colonists (Church of St. John), the other forbaptizednatives (Church of St. Nicholas).[56]The Church of St. Nicholas was large (with 10 windows) and served residents of many neighborhoods.[56]Thechurch serviceswere held inLatinandsermonswere given in German, but there also were translators into the language of the local people who had a dedicated place near thepulpit.[56][57]

Church of St. Jacob (Lietuvininkai)in the second half of the 19th century

Following the creation of theDuchy of Prussiain 1525 and due to theReformationmovement, theEvangelicalfaith was spread in the languages of the local people, includingLithuanian.[56]In 1620, the Lithuanian Parish of Klaipėda became an independent unit, but in 1627, the Church of St. Nicholas was demolished due to necessity to build a city wall around a growing city and the parish was left without its own church.[56][57]The construction of anew churchfor the Lithuanian Parish began in 1686, and the new church was consecrated in the summer of 1687.[56][57]Johann Lehmann worked in the new church, and by having a great knowledge of Lithuanian language he checked theDaniel Klein'sGrammatica Litvanicaand wrote other texts in Lithuanian.[56]Following Lehmann's death, the parish was taken over by his son, who worked there for 32 years, and then his grandson, who worked there in 1696–1722.[56]Later priests of the parish (e.g. Abraham David Lüneburg, Johann Richter) also knew Lithuanian language and published Lithuanian texts.[56]

Evangelical Reformed Church in the 1930s

The Lithuanian Church was destroyed during the Great Fire of Klaipėda in 1854.[56][57]Consequently, the parishioners collected funds and the reconstruction project was prepared by architectFriedrich August Stülerwhich was completed in the winter of 1856.[56][57]The Lithuanian Parish of Klaipėda was large (it had 15,600 parishioners in 1848 and 16,000 parishioners in 1878).[56]In 1852, German services started being held in the Lithuanian Church, and since then, the church was calledLandkirche,but was eventually renamed to Church of St. Jacob.[56][57]Karl Rudolf Jacobi worked in the Church of St. Jacob in 1859–1881 and in 1879 was selected as Chairman of theLithuanian Literary Society.[56]After Jacobi's death he was replaced by Janis Pipirs who is also known for his prominent Lithuanian publications.[56][58]Following theKlaipėda Revoltin 1923 the priests of the Church of St. Jacob stayed loyal to Lithuania and did not demonstrate vast support for Adolf Hitler in 1939.[56]Due to migration following the revolt, the number of Catholics in Klaipėda increased and in 1926 thedeaneryof Klaipėda was assigned to theRoman Catholic Diocese of Telšiai.[59]In 1939 the Catholic deanery had 25,000 believers.[59]In 1944 almost the entire Lutheran parish was evacuated westward to avoidSoviet repressions.[56]Due to the forceful implementation ofstate atheismin the post-war period, the damaged churches of St. John, St. Jacob, Evangelical Reformed, Anglican and Catholic Church of the Holy Trinity were completely demolished.[23][57][60]

In 1956, there were 30,000 Catholics in Klaipėda.[59]Following the death ofJoseph Stalin,a construction of the Church of Mary, Queen of Peace, in Rumpiškės Street was started in 1961, but the Soviet administration did not allow to open it.[59]Furthermore, with the support of theSoviet Army,the tower of the church was demolished and it was rearranged into a philharmonic, while priests who built the church were imprisoned.[59]The church was eventually returned to the believers in 1987.[59]

Following therestoration of independent Lithuania in 1990,Klaipėda has one of the largest parishes of theLithuanian Evangelical Lutheran Church.[61]Since 1991, the Catholic Church of Klaipėda Region belongs to the Roman Catholic Diocese of Telšiai.[59]

City municipality[edit]

The Klaipėda city municipality council is the governing body of the Klaipėda city municipality.[62]It is responsible for municipal laws. The council is composed of 31 members (30 councillors and a mayor) and is directly elected for four-year terms.[63][64]

The council is the member of theAssociation of Local Authorities in Lithuania.

Mayors[edit]

Port of Klaipėda[edit]

The port of Klaipėda handled more than 36 million tons of cargo in 2022
Main article:Port of Klaipėda

The Port of Klaipėda is the principalice-free porton the eastern coast of theBaltic Sea.[65][66]It is an important transportation hub in Lithuania, which connects sea, land and railway routes from East to West.[65]Klaipėda is a multipurpose, universal, deep-water port.[65]Nineteen stevedoring companies, as well as ship-repair and shipbuilding yards, operate within the port, where marine business and cargo handling services are rendered.

The annual port cargo handling capacity is up to 60 million tons.[67]In 2022 the port handled 36,1 million tons of cargo and it was visited by 5605 ships.[68]The port operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week, all year round.[67]

Culture and contemporary life[edit]

One of Klaipėda's most recognizable symbols – TheMeridianas

Historical[edit]

Klaipėda's main attractions are the historic buildings in the city's centre, dating from the 13th to 18th centuries. Some of its older buildings havehalf-timbered construction,similar to that found in Germany, France, England,Denmarkand southern Sweden. Other places of interest include:

  • The remnants of theKlaipėda Castle,built in the 13th century by theTeutonic Order.It had and a quadrangular tower, surrounded by the ramparts and brick bastions. It lost importance after the Russian occupation from 1756 to 1762, and thenceforth started to decay.
  • TheŽardė ancient settlement,situated on the right bank of the river Smiltelė. It is dated to the late Iron Age (10th century), and was inhabited until the 16th century.
  • The remnants of the so-called "Dutch" defence system around the entire town from the 17th–18th centuries.
  • The maritime museum in Fort Wilhelm, built at the end of the 19th century at the spike of the Curonian Spit.

Cinemas[edit]

  • Arlekinas
  • Forum cinemas

Theatres[edit]

Klaipėda Drama Theatre
  • Klaipėda Musical theatre
  • Klaipėda Drama theatre
  • Klaipėda Puppet theatre
  • Apeironas theater
  • Dance theater "Šokio teatras"
  • Klaipėda youth theater "Klaipėdos jaunimo teatras"

Museums[edit]

History Museum ofLithuania Minor
Clocks Museum
Blacksmiths Museum
Lithuanian Maritime Museum[69]
  • "39–45"
  • "Amber Queen" museum of amber
  • Blacksmiths museum
  • Castle museum
  • Clocks museum
  • Exposition of resistance movement and deportation
  • Lithuanian Art Museum Pranas Domšaitis gallery
  • The History Museum of Lithuania Minor
  • Maritime museum and Dolphinarium

Maritime Museum[edit]

The Lithuanian Maritime Museum is set in a former nineteenth-century fortification of theSpit.In the Maritime Museum, there is an aquarium, which features exhibitions of marine fauna, mammals and seabirds. The aquarium is populated with invertebrates, and freshwater fish ofLithuania,as well as various tropical fish. The museum's courtyard has a pool filled with seals, sea lions, and penguins. The marine fauna exhibition has diverse exhibits: mollusk shells, variousfossils,algae and other special exhibits, including prehistoric organisms.[70]

Festivals[edit]

Annual events include Klaipėda Music Spring, theKlaipėda Castle Jazz Festival,Museum Nights, the International Festival of Street Theatres, the International Short Film Festival, and theKlaipėda Sea Festival,among others.[71][72][73]TheParbėg laivelisfolk festival, which involves concerts, ship displays and theatrical performances, is also regularly held.[74]

Cityscape[edit]

Urbanism and architecture[edit]

Port of Klaipėda in 1852

The city plan is linear, stretching along the shores of theCuronian Lagoonand theBaltic Sea.[75]The main parts of the city Old Town on the left bank of theDanė River,as well as the new residential areas built after 1945 (Pempininkai, Naujakiemis, Alksnynė, Gedminai, and others).[75]The specifics of the port city are emphasized by the quays, warehouses,half-timberedand industrial buildings typical of theKlaipėda Region.[75]In the Old Town of Klaipeda, a rectangular network of streets was formed in the 13th–15th centuries, including Naujamiestis on the right bank of the Danė River.

"Old Mill hotel", a look alike fachwerk style building

Some of the fortification structures that were built before the 20th century and facilities have survived.Klaipėda Castle,which was used from the 13th through 18th centuries, as well as its accompanyingbastion,built from 1559 remains on the left bank of the Danė River.[76]Klaipeda Castle's bastion complex, which dates from the 15th through 18th centuries, still exists on the right bank of Danė River.[75]Old public buildings, including Theater Palace, which was built on the site of a burnt-downclassicistbuilding in 1857, still exist on the old town in Klaipeda. Half-timbered and brick warehouses and residential houses are prevalent throughout Klaipeda.[75]

Following the fire of 1854, the city was intensively rebuilt.[75]In the Naujamiestis district, which began to form in the second half of the 19th century, notable historical buildings include the State Bank (1858), Courthouse (1862), the railway station (1875), the Louise Gymnasium (1891), theneo-GothicPost Office (1890, architect H. Schoede), the barracks complex (1907, nowKlaipeda UniversityCentral Palace[77]), Teachers' Seminary (1908), City Hospital (1902), and the Craftsmen's Shelter (1910).[75]

Biržos Bridge, photographed before 1930. Thebascule bridgewas an important source of income for the city.

Furthermore, during this period, many residential houses and various other buildings were built. For instance, residential buildings were built on Liepų Street. Also, a neoclassical palace was built in Liepų Street 12. The palace would get expanded around 1820 as well as in the late 19th century. The palace is now used as the Klaipėda Clock and Watch Museum.[78]Also, a wooden villa in Giruliai, Šlaito Street 4 was built in the second half of the 19th century. Furthermore, a Neo-Renaissance villa was built in 1874. The aforementioned villa is now used as the Klaipėda County I. Simonaitytė Public Library. Industrial buildings, including a gas factory built in 1861 by the architect J. Hartmann, the fachwerk Union Chemical Fertilizer Factory built in 1869–80, the pulp factory built in 1900 and later expanded to form 1994 Klaipėda Cardboard Company, were also extensively constructed. Furthermore, abascule bridgewas built over the canal between the castle and the Danė River in 1855.[75]The bascule bridge had important economic impacts for the city, as every passing vessel was required to pay a bridge lifting fee.[79]

Klaipėda Old Town in 1932

In the early 20th century,Jugendstilstyle buildings were built in the city, including houses at Tiltų Street 13 and H. Manto Street 30, as well as a villa at Smiltynės Street 11.[75]Following theRestoration of Independence of Lithuaniaand theKlaipėda Revolt,the Red Cross Hospital (1933, architect R. Steikūnas; now Klaipėda County Hospital), Vytautas Magnus Gymnasium (1934, architect H. Reissmann), Klaipėda Pedagogical Institute Sports Hall (1937, architect V. Landsbergis ‑ Žemkalnis; known since 2005 as the Klaipėda Physical Culture and Recreation Center), City Savings Bank (1938), Power Plant Complex (3rd–4th decade of the 20th century, architect of some buildings H. Reissmann) were built and are characterized by rationalist features.[75]

During World War II, 60% of the buildings in Klaipeda were destroyed.[75]Moreover, the buildings reminiscent of Klaipėda's Germans were destroyed, and the remains of bombed-out Catholic and evangelical Reformed churches were demolished.[75]

During theSoviet occupation,the historical part of Klaipėda was redesigned.[75]The construction of the St. Church of the Queen Mary of Peace was started in 1957 with the funding of the believers (architect J. Baltrėnas). However, in 1960, it was deprived of believers. Instead, a branch of the LSSR Philharmonic was established there in 1963. The building would later be used as a place of worship again in 1988.[80]Other notable constructions from that period include the Palace of Culture (1963, architect A. Mikėnas, now Klaipėda Musical Theater), Marriage Palace (1980, architect R. V. Kraniauskas), Lithuanian Maritime Museum and Aquarium (1979, architects P. Lapė, L. Šliogerienė; located in Kopgalis Fortress, 1866), and Hotel Klaipėda (1986, architect G. Tiškus; now Amberton Klaipėda).[75]Following theRe-Establishment of the State of Lithuania,the Dolphinarium of the Lithuanian Maritime Museum (1994, architect P. Lapė), large shopping centers, administrative buildings, hotels and residential buildings were built.[75]

Education[edit]

Primary and secondary education[edit]

Klaipėda Vytautas the Great Gymnasium, the first Lithuanian gymnasium in the city, est. in 1922

Since the 14th century, Klaipėda has been a center for education inLithuania Minor.[81]During the period of Teutonic Knights there were so-called Latin schools near the city churches in Pilsotas, the northern part of the Klaipėda Region inhabited by theCuronians,however most of the schools were established inSambia Peninsula.[82][83]

During the period of the Duchy of Prussia schools in Lithuania Minor were created based on the regulations of the church authorities.[82]In the 16th century a dozen Lithuanian parochial schools operated in the Duchy of Prussia.[82]The earliest documented fact about teachers in Klaipėda dates to 1540 when a tax payer was described as "living with the teacher".[84]Around 1590, the Lithuanian community became independent, and then in ~1620 a separate Klaipėdian Parochial School was opened in a house built on a plot belonging to a priest of the Lithuanian Church, located between the extension of John's Street and Market's Street, but the church and school were demolished in 1627.[85][84]In 1687, a newLithuanian Churchwas built in the Friedrich's suburb and the Lithuanian Parochial School was also established next to it.[85]At the beginning of the 19th century, the significance of the Lithuanian Parochial School in Klaipėda decreased and in 1817 the Magistrate of Klaipėda occupied the building and the school ceased its activity after operating for nearly 300 years.[85]

Ewangeliszkas Malonės Dawadas,a popular 18th century educational book in Lithuanian[85]

In the first half of the 18th century KingFrederick William Icarried out a reform of thePrussian education systemand was one of the first in Europe to try to implement universal primary education.[82]Out of 1160 new primary schools 275 were established in Lithuanian Province which included Klaipėda.[82]Moreover,Lutheranismprovisions encouraged the use of the language of the local people in public life, including in church schools, and in the 18th century the number of primary schools in Lithuanian counties eventually risen to 449 (in 340 of them pupils were taught only in Lithuanian or in German).[82]Nevertheless, a big obstacle for Lithuanian children to study wasserfdomwhich wasabolishedin Prussia only in 1763.[82]In the 19th century, mixed schools resulted inGermanisationof Lithuanian pupils as bilingual schools eventually became monolingual German.[82]In theinterwar periodKlaipėda became part of Lithuania since 1923, however in this period out of 102 schools only four were Lithuanian and seven were mixed German–Lithuanian in the entire Klaipėda Region.[86]

Stasio Šimkaus Conservatory

At the end of the 17th century, the Great School (or the Latin School) was established which was the first upper school in Klaipėda, and in ~1850 the school was grantedgymnasiumstatus, while in 1891 it was named after QueenLouise.[84][87]In 1829, the Klaipėda Navigation School was established due to the demand to trainnavigatorsandsea captains.[84][88]In 1902, the Klaipėda Teachers' Seminary was established with an objective to prepare teachers who knowLithuanian language.[89]In 1923, the KlaipėdaConservatorywas established on the initiative of composerStasys Šimkusto educate professional musicians which is still active.[90][84]In 1925, the Klaipėda Accelerated School was established alongside its German counterpart which after 2 years studies provided an opportunity to its graduates to continues studies in the gymnasium.[91]

Currently, Klaipėda has 12 gymnasiums, 3 primary schools, 17progymnasiums,and 4 elementary schools.[92]Additionally, there is Eduardo Balsio Gymnasium of Arts.[93]Most of pupils in Klaipėda later studies in the universities or colleges as Lithuania is one of the world's leading countries inOECD's statistics of population with tertiary education (57.5% of 25–34-year-olds in 2021).[94]

Tertiary education[edit]

Academic campus ofKlaipėda Universityin historicPrussianbuildings
LCC International University

Initially, Klaipėda had no university, therefore many Klaipėdians and prominent Lithuanians from Lithuania Minor andLithuania properstudied and lectured at theUniversity of Königsbergwhich was established in 1544 with a permission ofSigismund I the Oldand had equal status to theUniversity of Kraków.[82][95]Since 1718 the University of Königsberg had the Lithuanian language seminar which was the first independent discipline of Lithuanian language in higher education.[96]

In the interwar period three high schools were established in Klaipėda.[84]The Klaipėda Trade Institute (est. in 1934) which had three departments: banking, commercial, and consular (since 1937: banking–commercial and consular).[97]The Klaipėda Pedagogical Institute (est. in 1935) which prepared higher qualification teachers for primary schools.[98]The Klaipėda Regional Pedagogical Institute (est. in 1935) which prepared higher qualification teachers for regional German schools.[99]There also were proposals to establish a university in Klaipėda, howeverGerman annexation of the Klaipėda Region in 1939and subsequently occurredsovietization of Lithuaniaprevented it from being realized.[100][101]

In theSoviet periodbranches of theKaunas Polytechnic Institute(1959) andŠiauliai Pedagogical Institute(1971), as well as Faculty of Preschool Education of the Šiauliai Pedagogical Institute (1975), and the Klaipėda Ecology Centre of theLithuanian Academy of Scienceswere established in Klaipėda.[101]In 1990, following there-establishment of the State of Lithuania,they were merged to establishKlaipėda University.[101]The Klaipėda University has three faculties (Marine Technology and Natural Sciences, of Social Sciences and Humanities, and of Health Sciences) and two institutes (Marine Research Institute and Institute of Baltic Region History and Archaeology).[102]In 2019, Klaipėda University joined the EU-CONEXUS which is an international alliance of coastal cities universities aiming to enhance cooperation between them.[103]Every year over 3,000 students study at Klaipėda University, while nearly 40,000 arealumni.[103]

Another university operating in Klaipėda is theLCC International Universitywhich is anecumenicalChristian university providingliberal arts educationof social sciences and humanities.[104]The majority of its students are internationals from tens of countries worldwide.[104]

Four colleges operate in Klaipėda:Klaipėda University of Applied Sciences,Lithuania Business College,SMK High School, and Lithuanian Maritime Academy.[105][106][107][108]Moreover,Vilnius Academy of ArtsandLithuanian Academy of Music and Theatrealso hasfacultiesin Klaipėda.[109][110]

Ieva SimonaitytėPublic Library

Libraries[edit]

A number of libraries are located in Klaipėda, with the most notable being Klaipėda University Library (est. in 1991, has hundreds of thousands of publications copies),[111]Klaipėda City Municipality Imanuel Kant Public Library (est. in 1920, has 20 departments),[112]Klaipėda County Ieva Simonaitytė Public Library (est. in 1950, has over 900,000 documents of which nearly 600,000 are books),[113]etc.

Infrastructure[edit]

Notable buildings[edit]

K and D complex

The tallest building in Klaipėda isPilsotas,which is a 34-storey building.

Tallest buildings
Name Stories Height Built Purpose Status
Pilsotas 34 111.9 m. 2007 Residential Built
BIG 2Complex 25 72–82 m. 2009 Mixed use Built
K Tower 20 71.9 m. 2006 Office Built
D Tower 20 71.9 m. 2006 Residential Built
Klaipėdos burė 22 66 m. 2009 Residential Built
Aukštoji Smeltė 20 66 m. 2009 Residential Under construction
Minijos Banga 20 62.2 m. 2007 Residential Built
Neapolis Business Centre 16 56.7 m. 2007 Office Built
Baltijos Avenue Tower 15 50 m. 2002 Residential Built
Vėtrungė 13 42 m. – Retail Built

Transportation[edit]

Railway[edit]

A narrow gauge railway station in 1920

The Klaipeda railway station (Lithuanian: Klaipėdos geležinkelio stotis) is located at Priestočio g. 1, north of the Old Town.

The railway station consists of two buildings. The old building, made of yellow bricks and reflecting features of Classical architecture, was built in 1881. Currently, the building hosts various small businesses. The new railway station was built of red bricks in 1983.

The railway network of thenPrussiareached Klaipėda in 1878. Initially used for lumber and fish freight on the Klaipėda–Šilutė and Klaipėda–Šilutė–Pagėgiai routes, the railway grid network ofLithuania Minorreceived a major boost after theKlaipėda uprisingand the annexation of the region by Lithuania in 1923.

As of 2017Lithuanian Railwayswere operating two routes from Klaipėda railway station. 4 daily trains on route Klaipėda –Vilniusand 2 daily trains on the Klaipėda–Radviliškis routes. Train tickets could be obtained at the station.[114]lt or with a surcharge – on board the trains.

The railway station is served by the following buses ofKlaipėda city passenger transport:

  • No. 9 south of the city – city hospital (via Central Klaipėda Terminal)
  • No. 6 south of the city – Melnragė district (Melnragė beaches)
  • No. 8 south of city – bus station (through Old town)
  • No. 15 south of the city – city hospital
  • No. 100 bus station –Palanga International Airport(PLQ)

Airport[edit]

Palanga International Airport

Domestic and international commercial scheduled airline services are provided byPalanga International Airport.The airport is connected with Klaipėda by a city bus.

Klaipėda also has a small, privately runaerodromewith a focus on sports aviation and charter services.

Ferries[edit]

Ferries to Smiltynė[edit]

View to the Klaipėda central ferry port terminal – the Old Ferry port

Klaipėda is located next to the Curonian Spit and a small part of the peninsula (Smiltynė) is within Klaipėda. People can reach the peninsula by ferry using one of the two terminals.

  • The Old ferry terminal (Danės st. 1) – ferry from city center for passengers traveling on foot or with bikes;
  • The New ferry terminal (Nemuno st. 8) – ferry for people with motorized vehicles.

International ferries[edit]

In Klaipėda, there are three ferry lines and two ferry companies:DFDS SeawaysandTT-Line.

Ferries depart from the Central Klaipėda Terminal (CKT). DFDS operates ferries toKiel(Germany) andKarlshamn(Sweden), and TT-Line ferries head toTrelleborg(Sweden).

Buses[edit]

Klaipėda Bus Station
Electric busDancer,manufactured in theKlaipėda Free Economic Zoneand used for city's public transportation since 2020[115]

Klaipėda's bus public transportation is arranged in a north–south axis, based on three parallel principal streets, running along the coast of Curonian Lagoon and thus making the grid logical and comfortable for commuting.[116]

In shops and newsstands, electronic cards could be bought for the purpose of paying for transportation. Public transport is organized, supervised and coordinated by theKlaipėda city passenger transport.

Buses to other cities and towns depart from Klaipėda bus station (Butkų Juzės g. 9). Buses to Curonian Spit villages Nida and Juodkrantė depart from a bus stop in Smiltynė (next to the Old ferry terminal).

Trams[edit]

Trams in Klaipėdafunctioned in 1904—1934 and 1950–1967. It was the only tram transport in the history of Lithuania, as well as the last years of first independent Lithuania, then in Soviet Lithuania. It was an interurban transport which was operated by Memeler Kleinbahn AG company.

The tram system had two lines with 12 km of tracks and 17 tramcars. The first line was from the old city (lighthouse and Strandvilla restaurant) through center and northern suburbs, which included Royal (Didžioji) Vitė and Bomelio Vitė localities. Eventually, the route would go to beaches, then to Melnragė, a resort. The second line was from the old city through Royal Smeltė, an industrial suburb, then south to Wilhelm Channel and Wooden Bay. Line The tram lines were all connected to the stock exchange in the center of the city. Branches of the tram routes connected the center with railway station through Liepaja (now Manto) Street and Liepaja (now Lietuvninku) Square. Another tram route passed near the Winter Port through the Vite locality. In 1950—1967 tram run functioned in line to Smeltė only. Tram lines were used for delivery of goods from railways and ports. Eventually, the tram degraded and closed due to wear, as well as lack of funds for its renewal and development.[117]

City authorities are currently planning to revitalize the tram system in Klaipeda. The proposed tram routes plan to connect Klaipėda withŠventojithroughPalanga International Airport,as well asPalanga.In 2017, a feasibility study began for first tram line on Herkus Manto and Taikos streets.[118][119][120]

Old town[edit]

Old town of Klaipėda

Klaipėda's Old Town is notable among other towns inLithuaniafor its abundance of German and Scandinavian architecture. Klaipėda's Old Town is unique with its fachwerk architectural style and its planned street structure, which is uncharacteristic to any other old town inLithuania.Its streets are geometrically configured very correctly, and theangleof intersection is straight.

One of the most popular places in Klaipėda's old town is The Theatre Square. It hosts a variety of concerts, the Sea Festival, the InternationalJazzFestival and other events. An important focus of the Theatre Square is theTaravos Anikėsculpture depicting a youthful barefoot girl. The sculpture was erected in the memory of the poetSimonas Dachasand perpetuates one of the poet's described heroes.[121]

Sports[edit]

Club Sport League Venue
Neptūnas Basketball Lithuanian Basketball League (LKL), Eurocup (Eurocup) Švyturio Arena
Nafta-Uni-Laivitė Basketball National Basketball League (NKL) Žalgirio sporto rūmai
Tekoda Basketball Regional Basketball League (RKL) Žalgirio sporto rūmai
LCC TU Basketball Regional Basketball League (RKL) Michaelsen Centre
Klaipėdos Fortūna Basketball Lithuanian Women Basketball League (LMKL) Žalgirio Sporto Rūmai
Dragūnas Handball Lithuanian Handball League (LRL) Neptūnas Hall
Kuršiai Rugby Lithuanian Rugby UnionI Group Žalgiris Stadium
Atlantas Football defunct
FK Klaipedos Granitas Football defunct
FK Sendvaris Football Sunday football leagueSFL League (SFL Lyga) Football school stadium
Sadvita Hockey Lithuania Hockey League(NVLRL) Klaipedos Akropolis Ice Arena
Skatas - 95 Hockey Lithuania Hockey League(NVLRL) Klaipedos Akropolis Ice Arena
Kirai Hockey Lithuania Hockey League(NVLRL) Klaipedos Akropolis Ice Arena
Toras Hockey Lithuania Hockey League(NVLRL) Klaipedos Akropolis Ice Arena
Marių Meškos Ultimate Lithuanian Ultimate Frisbee federation I group Smiltynėbeach, Indoor halls
Ultimate SUN BEAM (tournament) Smiltynėbeach
Scala dream Rock climbing Inhouse climbing club with top Lithuanian climbers Indoor climbing facility
Fabrique Rock climbing Inhouse climbing club with top Lithuanian climbers Indoor climbing facility

Economy[edit]

Klaipėda is famous forŠvyturysbrewery, established in 1784

Klaipeda generates approximately 12 percent of Lithuania's GDP and about 80 percent of western Lithuania's GDP.[122]Much of Klaipeda's economy is impacted by trade in thePort of Klaipėda.In the eastern part of the city, there is theKlaipėda Free Economic Zone,which offers 0 percent tax incentives for first 6 years.

Klaipeda also the location of the firstGeothermal Demonstration Plantin theBaltic States,which supplies withgeothermal heatingandKlaipėda Combined Heat and Power Plant.In 2014,Klaipėda LNG FSRUwithFSRU Independenceship was opened and guaranteed the alternative way of supplying the country with gas.[123]

Most of the city's GDP is generated in the service sector. Inhabitants of Klaipėda have a higher income than the average of Lithuania. Companies in Klaipeda includeBLRT Western Shipyard,DFDS Lisco,Švyturys,Klaipėdos jūrų krovinių kompanija,Grigeo KlaipėdaandBalticum TV.[citation needed]

According to theLithuanian Department of Statistics,the GDP in the second quarter of 2017 as compared with the first quarter of 2017, has increased by 7.7 percent, while comparing with the second quarter of 2016 it has increased by 4.0 percent. The rise is also planned in the further years.[122]

Media[edit]

Klaipėda beach
ArkaMonument for united Lithuania

Radio[edit]

Television[edit]

  • Balticum TV

Newspapers[edit]

Notable residents[edit]

Sculpture next to Klaipėda Railway Station
Statue of a boy in Klaipėda harbor
Modern buildings in Klaipėda

Twin towns – sister cities[edit]

See also:List of twin towns and sister cities in Lithuania
Litascommemorative coindedicated to Klaipėda city (2002)

Klaipėda istwinnedwith:[124]

The city was previously twinned with:[127]

Cooperation agreements[edit]

Klaipėda has an additional cooperation agreement with:[128]

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  • Baedeker, Karl.Northern Germany.London, 1904, p. 178.
  • Christiansen, Eric.The Northern Crusades.Penguin Books. London, 1997. pp. 107, 160, 248.ISBN0-14-026653-4
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  • Encyclopædia Britannica1938 Year Book.
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  • Kirby, David.The Baltic World, 1772–1993: Europe's Northern Periphery in an Age of Change.Longman. London, 1999. p. 42, 133.ISBN0-582-00408-X
  • Kirby, David.Northern Europe in the Early Modern Period: The Baltic World, 1492–1772.Longman. London, 1990. p. 366ISBN0-582-00410-1
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  • Urban, William.The Teutonic Knights: A Military History.Greenhill Books. London, 2003, pp. 65, 121.ISBN1-85367-535-0
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