Klaipeda, Lithuania Photo Gallery
This is what I saw when I looked out my window, which is on the split across from Old Town Klaipeda. It's an old place that's been restored and is now apartments.
We were greeted here at the port with traditional Lithuanian musicians.
"Childhood Dream" sculpture right at the port.
The mission of the sculpture is "to meet and see off" the cruise ships which call in the terminal. And also, delight those walking the quay. In one word, nobody shall leave the terminal without escort.
A beautiful metal flower basket hanging stand.
The weather vanes were also very intricate in design.
Black Ghost of Klaipėda-a weird statue emerging from the water, a man without a face, he slithers ominously.
The ghost from the back.
Brian, Margaret, and Kim & Kyle Tilley on the swing (chain) bridge. Kim & Kyle are from Rogers, so we were very happy to meet them on the ship.
Doug is trying to turn the hand-turned metal bridge over the castle canal, which was built in 1855. It is the only one of its kind in Lithuania. It is made of riveted iron and decorated with chains, and was therefore known as the “Chain Bridge”
Klaipeda Drama Theatre-the building where Hitler gave a speech from the balcony when the Germans took over. Hitler wanted the statue of the little girl, Annchen, removed because she would have her back to him during the speech, which would be disrespectful, but the citizens refused.
Another part of Klaipėda Drama Theatre.
Brian bought a painting of a sail boat in a storm from this local artist.
Klaipeda street art-This one is called "Night Wish" by Shea.
One of the gates to the Ethnocultural Centre of Klaipėda City Municipality.
Ethnocultural Centre of Klaipėda City Municipality-A very old part of the city where old traditions characteristic to the coastal area are revived and promoted here, youngsters are taught traditional crafts and customs.
Kankles-It is the oldest and most archaic of Lithuanian string instruments. The sound is being produced by covering (muting) unnecessary strings with one hand while playing and plucking the other strings with the other hand‘s fingers.
We saw these traditional clothes of women in the Ethnocultural Centre of Klaipėda City Municipality.
An unclose view of details of the hand-stitching.
Dienovidžio (Meridian) Square where there were a lot of beautiful flowers and sculptures.
Dahlia Starburst Pink-3 different stages of development.
Monument “Bokštas” („Tower“) symbolizes former and current life of Klaipėda city.
Brian looking at the Tower Sculpture with this unusual mind, maybe a little like his.
What a beautiful cobblestone street!
Margaret with the Magical Mouse Sculpture-The little mouse is magic – it fulfills wishes: one may only whisper into its oversized ear and believe in the magical power of a mouse.
A life size chess game is going on here. Notice the decorative bench in the form of a grand piano.
Sculpture " Cat with a Face of a Gentleman "-It was fun to explore this city looking for sculptures that were around almost every corner. We didn't even make it to the Klaipeda Sculpture Garden.
The River Dane on a beautiful day!
Mermaid Klaipėda-The Lithuanian Maritime Academy gave this mermaid statue as a gift to the city of Klaipeda on January 15th 2015.
Her tail is made out of the old Lithuanian coins.
A training sailing ship, "Meridianas“ was built in 1948 in Finland, Turku as a contribution to the Soviet Union after the Second World War. Now it's a restaurant on River Dane and striking to see.
Arka ( Arch) commemorating the 85-year anniversary of the unification of Lithuania Minor and Proper and the 80-year anniversary of the Klaipėda Revolt. The red granite symbolizes Lithuania Minor and gray column and arch symbolize Lithuania proper.
The sign under this cross say "Celebrating the 100th anniversary of the restoration of the state. We thank God for the Freedom given to us, the Mercy and Love shown to us." I really liked that. I tried to find more information on it, but couldn't find anything.
Another photo of the Meridianas from the Dane Square.
Isn't this the cutest paddleboat?
Chimney Sweep on the Roof-The bronze sculpture of the chimney sweep is on the roof of a restaurant. It is 7.5 ft. high and is said to bring good luck. Visitors can press a button on the wall to try their luck. (I didn't know about the button.)
The Tribute to the Nation and Language monument-A monument erected on the Danė quay in 2009. The decorative work of art is made of granite and bronze, depicting Prince Vytautas the Great sitting on a horse.
Old town is very beautiful with flowers and buildings with exposed brick, which makes for a nice photo.
We had lunch at this small local food restaurant, which is family owned in the heart of the city and famous for Lithuanian cuisine. There were a lot of local people in there which is always a good sign.
Brian had some pork dish and you can see that the portions were very generous.
I had Lithuanian Cepelinai-potato dumplings with pork meat and topped with bacon bits.
Another view of River Dane.
Memorial Bell at the site of St John's Lutheran Church-Once the crowning glory of Klaipėda's skyline with a spire of 246 feet high, all that is left of the church is some stones marking where its walls once stood, and this bell, located where the bell tower was when the church was in existence. The Russians destroyed it to get rid of German influence.
The park beside the memorial bell of St John's Church. These fountains were interesting, so beautiful, but made to look like mines and soldier helmets, maybe to remember what war did to this place.
The flowers are so beautiful!
Monument to Lithuania's first motor club "M.S.C. Memelland. A Poska, the rider, became the first Lithuanian motorcyclist to cross the Baltic Sea in 1928.
Up on the bastion of the Castle of Klaipeda.
The view from the bastion towards the Old Mill Hotel.
Restoration of the castle is taking place here.
We're sailing away. This was definitely a fun town to walk around in. There were fun things to do close to the port, also.
Located in the historic fort of Nerija is the Lithuanian Maritime Museum and Dolphinarium. I saw this when we were sailing out the channel to the Baltic Sea. It's located n the split side.
A beach at the tip of the Curonian split. If you travel down this split far enough, you will be in a little area of Russia, province of Kaliningrad. I was very confused abut this until I looked at a map.
On the opposite side from the Beach on the split.