The amber coast he Lithuanian Baltic seacoast is undoubtedly one of the most Tbeautiful in all of Europe. White sand beaches are followed by dunes, while fresh pinewoods separate beaches from settlements. It is on our country’s coast that the Baltic Sea washes ashore the most beautiful am- ber in the world. The sea resorts of Lithuania themselves can be compared to an amber necklace, where every town or settlement, just like the “sun stone” itself, has its own characteristic glow. laipėda is the country’s sea gateway – it is the largest centre of Kindustry and culture in western Lithuania. It is also one of the most rapidly developing cities in the country. During the warmer months, Palanga becomes the summer capital of Lithuania – its pedestrian walk- ways, beaches, restaurants, bars, and clubs are alive with a variety of enter- tainment and cultural events. When it is cold outside, this seaside resort in the pinewoods is an excellent place for conferences, seminars, or much-de- served relaxation in the warmth of a health spa. he Curonian Spit has been declared a UNESCO world heritage Tsite – a real miracle created by sand, wind and people between two bodies of water. It includes an impressive panorama of dunes – the white Volant sand beauties playing with the wind; the still, Gray (Dead) Dunes that once covered over several villages; and green, sandy hills over- grown with old woods. Romantic settlements that have preserved a tradi- tional fishermen’s architectural style harmoniously match the surrounding nature. he eastern coasts of the Curonian Bay are completely different. TThe fishing delta of the Nemunas fascinates visitors with the beauty of its lush wild nature, fauna, and abundance of birds. The old fishing villages – Rusnė, Mingė, Kintai and Dreverna – smell of freshly smoked fish. The Ventės ragas lighthouse looks like a beacon for migrating birds; it seems to welcome the winged travellers to the nearby bird tagging station – one of the oldest in Europe. Klaipėda – sea gateway to Lithuania Klaipėda, the only seaport in Lithuania, is houses with Jugendstil (modern) elements from also the most northern ice-free port in the Baltic the mid-19th century are located nearby. Sea. The seaport, located on a sea strait and the Curonian Bay, is the industrial and cultural centre The music scene really heats up on the of Lithuania’s seacoast and the third largest town coast in the summer – there are many music fes- in the country. tivals and concerts to be enjoyed. Jazz aficionados shouldn’t miss the international Pilies Jazz Festival Klaipėda was already known as a trade at the beginning of June. But it is the famous Sea centre in the 13th century when it was visited by Festival which has been held in Klaipėda since merchants from the North and West that crossed 1934 that blows all other festivals out of the wa- the Baltic Sea. The city was officially founded on ter. Sport dancing anyone? Klaipėda’s Žuvėdra August 1, 1252; it was established on the old lands ensemble – European and world champions on of the Curonians and belonged to the ethnographic multiple occasions – is a must-see for anyone region of Samogitia. The Germans controlled this who loves dance. strategic port for 500 years (until 1923) during which time it was called Memel. We are reminded Klaipėda attracts visitors with its excellent of this period by a whole block of fachwerk style recreational possibilities: its old town, the spacious buildings located in Klaipėda’s old town; stone white sand beaches of Smiltynė separated from 2 the town by a strip of pinewoods, as well as the Klaipėda is part of the Baltic Sea cruise easy to reach beaches of Melnragė or Giruliai are ship route. The cruise ship terminal and Pilies but a few examples of the outdoor places that can yacht port are located in the very centre of be enjoyed here. The city has a wide selection of the city. There are 5 international ferry routes, cafes, restaurants, and nightclubs – many different excellent roads leading to the seaport, and a small cuisines and styles to choose from. Almost 40 international airport in nearby Palanga. Therefore, hotels, guesthouses, and rentable cottages are we can say that all roads lead to Klaipėda – to the located in the city. centre of the Lithuania’s seacoast. Places to visit Theatre square – the heart of the port and of Pranas Domšaitis you will find the exhibits of a favourite place for cultural events. Its colourful this artist and other old Lithuanian art. Listen to history dates back to the 17th century. Its focus: the music of 48 bells from the beautiful neogothic the Klaipėda drama theatre building built in Old Post Office Tower built at the end of the 19th 1819 – the oldest theatre building in Lithuania, century – they chime every Sunday at noon; or and a sculpture of poet Simon Dach’s well known witness one of the biggest clock exhibitions in Eu- charac ter Tarava Anikė, erected in the poet’s rope at the Clock Museum. Nearby, you can find memory in 1912. The square is surrounded by various folk art workshops, souvenir shops, and cafes. The history of Klaipėda city and region is de- picted in the Pilies and Mažoji Lietuva museums; many original heritage exhibits are also displayed in the Smithery (Kalvystės) Museum. Klaipėda old town fachwerk block represents a whole “art island”: this ensemble of 7 buildings includes the Klaipėda Art Exhibition Hall; Barotti gallery is nearby; the whole pallet of seaport artists’ creations can be found in the Klaipėda Gallery. Also close by, are several very original art galleries. It soon becomes apparent that residents of Klaipėda have a sense of hu- mour. Just have a look at the snappy sculptures scattered about town: a village resident guiding a little child across a street, a happy cat, or the restored informational pillar at Birža bridge are all good examples. Liepų Street, rich in neogothic and mo- dern buildings, is another art zone: in the gallery 3 Klaipėda – sea gateway to Lithuania a monument to the author of the first Lithuanian mances attract many spectators and are organized fiction book Kristijonas Donelaitis. A sculpture in the Dolphinarium. Other interesting activities of in memory of Lithuanian writing pioneer Marty- the museum include dolphin therapy for children nas Mažvydas adorns the beautiful Lietuvninkai with disabilities. You can familiarize yourself with Square. The Mažvydas Sculpture Park, created by the history of Lithuanian sea navigation by visiting the Soviet government, is located on the site of the the exhibition in the former castle’s dungeons. The old Klaipėda cemetery. Over 100 modern artists’ Curonian Spit National Park Nature Museum is works are displayed there. also located in Smiltynė. Interesting and diverse When you cross the narrow strait sepa- rating Klaipeda from the Neringa peninsula, you arrive in Smiltynė – the spearhead of the Curonian Spit. Here you will find the popular Lithuanian Maritime Museum, Aquarium and Dolphinarium – annually visited by over 0.5 million people. The museum complex, located in the former Kopgalis castle, includes a rich and attractive marine life exhibition; dolphin and California sea lion perfor- 4 expositions of the nature found on this peninsula are displayed in three ancient buildings. The most beautiful pano- rama of Klaipėda, Smiltynė’s pinewoods and the sea can be enjoyed from the 50 metre high tower of St. Virgin Mary Queen of Peace Church. But the best way to see the most picturesque views of the national park’s dunes, the Curonian Spit, and coastal areas is to travel by ship in the Curonian Bay. If you want a wilder natural setting, go to the Seacoast Regional Park between Klaipėda and Palanga which is located on a 30 km strip. Karklė village, a settlement of amber collectors and fishermen, is a haven for holidaymakers searching for tranquillity. The historically interesting Black Castle (a seacoast castle used during World War II) – can also be found in the park. It is now an informational exposition featuring places to visit in the park. Beer from the 220 year old Švyturys bre- wery is also considered a calling card of Klaipėda. The brewery organizes excursions where visitors can experience several varieties of the famous brew firsthand to determine for themselves whether it really deserves the title of being best in the world…difficult research, but somebody has to do it! 5 Klaipėda – sea gateway to Lithuania KLAIPĖDA TOURISM AND CULTURE KLAIPĖDA DRAMA THEATRE INFORMATION CENTRE 2 Teatro Street 7 Turgaus Street Tel. +370 46 314 464, fax +370 46 314 460 Tel. +370 46 412 186, fax +370 46 412 185 [email protected]; www.kldteatras.lt/ [email protected]; www.klaipedainfo.lt KLAIPĖDA MUSIC THEATRE GARGŽDAI TOURISM INFORMATION CENTRE 19 Danės Street Klaipėda region Tel.: +370 46 397 402, 397 407 15 Klaipėdos Street, Gargždai [email protected]; www.muzikinis-teatras.lt/ Tel.: +370 46 473 416, +370 682 338 72 tourgargzdai@delfi.lt; www.klaipedos-r.lt/turizmas KLAIPĖDA JAZZ CLUB ”KURPIAI” 1a Kurpių Street PILIES MUSEUM Tel.: + 370 46 410 555, 410 333, +370 682 322 20 4 Pilies Street, tel. +370 46 410 524 [email protected]; www.jazz.lt [email protected]; www.mlimuziejus.lt Klaipėda German community MAŽOJI LIETUVOS HISTORY MUSEUM SIMONAS DACHAS HOME 6 Didžioji Vandens Street, tel. +370 46 410 524 7 Jūros Street, tel. +370 46 311 481 [email protected]; www.mlimuziejus.lt [email protected]; www.vdd.lt SMITHERY MUSEUM SEACOAST REGIONAL PARK 2 Šaltkalvių Street, tel. +370 46 410 526 6 Vilties Street [email protected]; www.mlimuziejus.lt Tel./fax +370 46 412 483 [email protected]; www.pajuris.info/lt CLOCK MUSEUM 12 Liepų Street, tel.: +370 46 410 414, 410 413 CURONIAN SPIT NATIONAL PARK [email protected]; www.muziejus.cjb.net SMILTYNĖ VISITOR CENTER 18 Smiltynės Street, tel./fax +370 46 402 256 LITHUANIA SEA MUSEUM AND [email protected]; www.nerija.lt DOLPHINARIUM 3 Smiltynės Street, tel.: +370 46 490 751, 490 754 Klaipėda ship repair company [email protected]; www.juru.muziejus.lt 4 Pilies Street Tel.