Klaipėda

Klaipėda is Lithuania’s third largest city, and the only port city in the country. Although previously known as the German Memel, it ended up on Lithuanian hands as an indirect result of the German defeat in WW1. After a long and confusing process, of course. This is after all Eastern Europe, where even recent events have shown that borders can be far from permanent. The city, as in deed Lithuania itself, changed hands again a number of times during the rest of the 1900s.



The statue of Ännchen von Tharau. Perhaps the most iconic image from Klaipėda. The original statue was allegedly removed because Hitler, while giving a speach from the veranda in the background, found it offensive that the statue was not facing him. Other dictators, with even better eventplanners, would perhaps have turned the statue around in advace.

This complicated past is the main reason for the heavy presence of Russians in this city, and the considerable influence of German culture. Above all in the old town, which seems to be rather well preserved. The old town and the city center in general are both among the most accessible sites to visit, but for those willing to venture a bit outside of the city, the maritime museum should be well worth a visit.

 



The port city of Klaipėda, seen from the location of the sea. In other words - the museum is not within walking distance

Visitors with preferences a bit out of the ordinary will probably enjoy attractions such as the blacksmith museum (which I haven`t visited yet, but intend to enjoy on general principle), or the clock museum. There is also some work going on in the ruins of the old Memel castle, and in time this will probably also be among Klaipeda’s main attractions, but when I visited there was not much to see.  



Meridianas. Klaipėda has one large sailing ship - this is it, and most of the time it does not seem to be sailing at all.

The city in general appears rather modern, and it seems the local economy is going rather well. At least if one judges by the many new, and often surprisingly tall, buildings. Property prices are also quite high in comparison to other cities in the region, and these things add to the impression of Klaipeda being a dynamic place. Like most port cities, it seems to be facing the outside world, rather than having its attention elsewhere.



One of the more innovative parts of the Klaipedian skyline.

Klaipeda is on the other hand a rather small city, and there is not really that much to see. Still it is well worth a visit, at least for a day. But make sure to come in summer. I visited in winter and it was cold as hell. Then again, few cities are charming enough to not look a bit depressive in winter.

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