Klaipėda University
Herkaus Manto str. 84
LT - 92294
Lithuania
Phone: +370 46 398900
Fax.: +370 46 398999
About Klaipėda
Klaipėda is the third biggest city in Lithuania with a population of around 190 000 people. The town of Klaipėda-Memel was founded on the western coast of the Baltic Sea in 1252. Klaipėda is a unique Lithuanian city by virtue of its colorful and turbulent history and also because the Old town’s architectural style is similar to many western European cities with which it had close links.
Klaipėda- A Historic Seaport, an Ancient Town and a Modern City
Theatre square and Ann from Tharau: This is the heart of the city. The main feature of the square is a sculpture of Anna von Tharau which is built in the middle of fountain. The monument is dedicated to Simon Dach, a German poet who was born in Klaipeda. Anna was the girl that the poet fell in love with at the first sight. However, she was engaged to another man. Simon Dach dedicated a poem to her and called it “Anna von Tharau”. In Germany, Austria and Switzerland up till present days song “Ann van Tharau” is sung.
Sailing boat “Meridianas”: The ship was built in 1948 in Finland and is now one of the most beautiful sights of Klaipeda. The Klaipeda Navigation School used the sailing vessel for training purposes. When the vessel was laid up, it was turned into a restaurant and moored near the Dane River bank.
The Arch- The monument is dedicated to the commemoration of the 85th anniversary of Tilze Act and the 80th anniversary of the joining of Klaipėda Region with Lithuania. The construction weights 150tons and is 8,5 meters high, and is the biggest granite monument in Lithuania. The smaller red granite column is the symbol of Lithuania Minor and its cultural background whereas the larger grey column is the symbol of Lithuania Major. On the monument there is a quote from a Lithuanian writer :” we are one nation, one land, one Lithuania”. The upper, as if separated, part of the monument symbolizes the Kaliningrad Region which now belongs to the Russian Federation.
Fisherman: In front of the former City hall, in the small square near Dane river, stands the sculpture of the Fisherman. This sculpture is one of the presents to the city by the Sea Festival, when this festival started to be acknowledged during the extraordinary cultural events, to be monumented in sculpture. “Fisherman” was presented to the city in the year 1972, during the celebration of 37th Sea Festival.
Old Town little mouse: In the old town of Klaipėda, just in front of Jazz club “Kurpiai”, a sculpture of a little (cute) mouse found its place. It is rumoured that 17 cm high creature made out of bronze and stone is magic: whisper your wish into the ear of thaumaturge and it will come true… The mouse is surrounded by the band on which the spell “Your thoughts will turn into words and words into dream” is graved. Do not miss chance to visit!
The cat: In the year 2007 the old town of Klaipėda faced the return of the former city symbol-sculpture of the cat. Last time the cat simply disappeared from its place (being there only for couple of hours) and now I supported with modern glue which will allow us to admire this sculpture for a longer time.
A childhood dream: Sculpture of a little boy with a dog waving with his hat to coming and leaving ships was built in the cruise ship terminal in 2007. It is believed that your trip will be fortunate if you begin the journey with escort.
Chimney-sweep: There is a belief if one shall touch at least a button of the chimney-sweep – the luck will accompany you for a long time. 2.3 meter high bronze chimney-sweep found its place on the roof of a house in the old town of Klaipeda (close to vessel “Meridianas”) and there is no chance to neither reach him nor his button. However, the “extra” button was created and glued to the wall of the house on which sits the lucky hero. Now everyone can receive some luck if needed.
The sculpture park: Klaipėda’s Sculpture park was established in the 1980s in the place of the old city cemetery. The cemetery opened in 1820 was destroyed during the World war II. Today in its place you can find about 100 sculptures created during a symposium of Lithuanian sculptors. The park is a great place for talking a walk.
Klaipėda is famous for its museums. The most popular among them is the Lithuanian marine museum (www.muziejus.lt) and its well-known aquarium with dolphins, seals and other representatives of marine fauna and flora.
The Seaside Regional Park (http://www.pajuris.info/en ) is governmentally protected territory of the Lithuanian seaside from Klaipeda city to Old Palanga. The Park takes up 5033 ha in overland and 30 km in the water area of the sea.
The Nemunas delta regional park (http://www.nemunodelta.lt/ ) is a unique design of nature: a cobweb of watercourses, islands, meadows, marshes and woods. The delta is famous for its large number of rare varieties of breeding birds. It is also an important resting area for migratory birds. In 1993, according to the Ramsar Convention, it was added to the list of internationally important marshlands. The purpose of the regional park is to preserve this uniquely diverse and constantly changing ecosystem.
