Page 286 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Estonia Latvia & Lithuania

284  LITHU ANIA REGION B Y REGION

y Klaipėda E Lithuania Minor History
Museum
First mentioned in 1252, when the Christian Livonian Order Didžioji vandens 2. Tel (46) 410 524.
built a fortress named Memelburg at the mouth of the Danė Open 10am–5pm Tue–Sat (to 4pm
river, Klaipėda for many centuries was an important Prussian Fri). &
port city called Memel. Today, as Lithuania’s only sea port, Lithuania Minor is what the
local people call East Prussia,
Klaipėda is thriving, despite serious damage during World War which today is the territory of
II and its status as a military-industrial centre during the Kaliningrad as well as Klaipėda.
Soviet years. For those who enjoy walking, central Klaipėda The Lithuania Minor History
and its Old Town, with narrow, criss-crossing streets, is a Museum, inside one of the Old
delightful place to explore. Half-timbered buildings and Town’s loveliest build ings, tells
the region’s history. Coins,
cobbled lanes conceal gift shops, galleries and café-bars.
clothes, maps, post cards, old
photographs and models give
a glimpse of the lives and the
differences bet ween the local
German- and Lithuanian-
speaking commu nities before
World War II. Situated opposite
the museum is the town’s old
post office.
E Blacksmiths’ Museum
Šaltkalvių 2a. Tel (46) 410 526.
Open 10am–5pm Tue–Sat (to 4pm
Fri). & 8
Black metal crosses, fences and
cemetery gates in a garden
beside an old working smithy
are among this museum’s
exhibits. Some of the crosses
Visitors and local people relaxing in cafés in Klaipėda were rescued from destruction
when the Sculpture Park
Ännchen of Tharau the original Ännchen of Tharau replaced the city’s main ceme-
Teatro aikštė. statue, made by local artists, tery in the 1970s. Lithuania’s
The heart of Klaipėda’s Old Town was placed in the middle of cross-crafting tradition, in metal
is Theatre Square. A statue the fountain. and in wood, was recognized by
called Ännchen of Tharau, which UNESCO in 2001.
stands in front of the theatre, is E Castle Museum
the focal point of the fountain Pilies 4. Tel (46) 410 527. Open 10am
dedicated to Simon Dach –5pm Tue–Sat (to 4pm Fri). &
(1605–59), one of the city’s Not much remains of the
distinguished personalities. Born 17th-century castle that houses
in Klaipėda, then known as the Castle Museum. The castle
Memel, Dach became a was built on the foundations
leading Prussian poet from of the 1252 fortress when
the late 1630s until his Memel was part of the Duchy
death. He is well known of Prussia. In 2002, an
throughout Germany for exhibition opened inside
his songs, hymns and one of the ramparts,
dialect poems, such as illustrating the develop-
Ännchen of Tharau, written ment of the fortress and the
in 1637. city. The exhibits on display
The original statue was include authentic furniture
created in 1912, but it and re-created models. The Old wooden clock inside the exceptional
mysteriously vanished on highlight is a Renaissance- Clock Museum
the eve of World War II. era gold ring encrusted
Adolf Hitler made a with diamonds. Today, this E Clock Museum
speech from the theatre castle has become one Liepų 12. Tel (46) 410 414; 410 413
balcony behind its of the most recog- (excursions). Open noon–6pm Tue–
original location, on nized symbols Sat, noon–5pm Sun. & 8
23 March 1939. In Statue of Ännchen of Tharau in associated with A fascinating insight into the
1989, a replica of Theatre Square modern Klaipėda. development of man’s attempts
For hotels and restaurants in this region see pp306–307 and pp330–31

284-285_KlaTCM.indd 284 15/02/17 10:16 am