Klaipeda, Lithuania's port city on the Baltic Sea, is the third largest town in the country. It is located on the very southern seashore of the Baltic Sea, at a strait connecting the Kursiu Marios lagoon with the sea.
Historians maintain that a settlement of ancient Balts, the ancestors of modern Lithuanians stood on the coats of the Kursiu Marios lagoon at the estuary of the Dane river as early as the 1st century A.D. That fishing village, often attacked by various invaders, had to fight off the Vikings as well as resisting the invasions of the Dutch merchants. In 1252 Klaipeda was captured by the Livonian Order. As a result, the brick castle of Memelburg was erected on the estuary of the Dane river. Although Lithuanians who were reluctant to reconcile with the loss of the town tried to recapture it, they failed to win it back. Even after the victory at Zalgiris in 1410, when Lithuanians managed to regain the greater part of Zemaitija (West Lithuania), Klaipeda remained under Germans.
In the course of the following centuries the town of Klaipeda remained under the foreign yoke. In the 17th century Klaipeda was devastated by the Swedish army. In the middle of the 18th century the town was for five years ruled by Tsarist Russia. Klaipeda became the residence of Prussian Kings after the French army occupied Berlin in 1807. The establishment of the Second Reich in 1871 gave an impetus for a speedy Germanization of all national minorities living on the territory.
After the defeat of Germany in World War I, the town and the whole region of Klaipeda was placed under the protectorate of the Entente states (1919).
From February 13, 1920, Klaipeda was administrated by the French occupation forces. In December 1923, a big uprising was organized in the town with the assistance of Lithuanian government. The uprising determined the future of the Klaipeda region. All the territory and the sea-port were returned to Lithuania with the right of self-government. On March 23, 1939, however, Klaipeda, the only sea-port of Lithuania, was seized by Nazi Germany. It was only on January 28, 1945, that Klaipeda was liberated.
At the present time Klaipeda is not only one of the largest fishing ports on the Baltic Sea but also a major cultural centre of Lithuania. Among the museums of Klaipeda, special mention should be made of the large Maritime Museum and Aquarium that boasts thousands of exhibits from many seas and oceans around the world.
SIGNIFICANT DATES OF KLAIPEDA HISTORY
1252. Teutonic Knights built the castle of Memelburg at
the mouth of the Dane River. Memelburg gave birth to Klaipeda City. Klaipeda became the
centre of Kuršas diocese.
1254. Klaipeda was granted Lübeck City Right.
1298. Because of Klaipeda’s instability determined by
conflict between Lithuanian and German knights, the bishop of Kur6as moved his residence
from Klaipeda to Pilten.
1328. According to the agreement of the German Order in
Prussia and Livonia, Klaipeda and its surroundings were transmitted to the German Order in
Prussia and later became a part of Prussia Duchy and Kingdom.
1455. Klaipeda was occupied by the Samogitians for the first
time.
1525. During Reformation in Prussia, a the Lithuanian Church
was established. It enabled the Lithuanian community to consolidate beside the German
community. Little by little, Klaipeda started to take the traits of a multi-cultural city.
1540. A fire devastated a large part of the city.
1605. The famous German poet Simon Dach was born. In honour
of the poet the sculpture of Anicke was put on the square of Theatre and has become the
symbol of the Klaipeda city.
1629-1635. Klaipeda was ruled by the Swedes.
1657. The merchants of Klaipeda were granted a privilege to
develop the sea trade independently, which enabled the city to develop faster as a port.
In the middle of the 17th century new fortifications were
established and Klaipeda became a city-fortress.
1757-1762. Klaipeda was ruled by Russia.
1770. Klaipeda lost the status of a city-fortress.
1799. The famous astronomer Friedrich Wilhelm August
Argelander was born.
1808. For one year Klaipeda became the capital of the
Kingdom of Prussia, the order of abolishment of serfdom was legislated in Klaipeda, major
reforms were started in the Kingdom of Prussia.
1812. Russian platoons occupied Klaipeda.
1854. A fire devastated a large part of the city.
1860. The first gimnazium was founded in Klaipeda.
1873. The King Wilhelm’s Channel was constructed. It
joined the mouth of river Nemunas and Klaipeda port.
1909. The Teachers’ Seminary was founded.
1919. As stated in the Versailles Agreement, Klaipeda was
separated from Germany and placed under the protectorate of the Entente States.
1922. The first private Lithuanian gimnazium was founded in
Klaipeda.
1923. Klaipeda was returned to the Republic of Lithuania.
1924. The Convention of Klaipeda Region was ratified by the
Entente States. It stated the principles of autonomy and relationship of majority and
minority in the city and region.
1925. The first election to the Klaipeda region parliament
took place. The majority was won by the members of German parties.
1934. The Institute of Trade was founded in Klaipeda.
1934-1935. Neumann-Sass Process, the first court of Nazi in
Europe, during which members of Nazi parties of Klaipeda and the region who conspired the
tearing away of Klaipeda were sentenced.
1935. The Pedagogical Institute of the Republic of Lithuania
and the State Theatre were founded.
1937. The famous Lithuanian poet and professor of the
University of Yale Tomas Venclova was born.
1939. Fascist Germany annexed Klaipeda.
1945. Klaipeda was occupied by the USSR army. Klaipeda and
Klaipeda Region were transmitted to the Lithuanian SSR. The settling of the city, mostly
by Russians, was started. It caused essential changes in the demographic situation of the
post-war Klaipeda.
1961-1963. The first significant disturbances related to the
nationalization of a newly built catholic church started.
70s. "Culture break" in the city’s life. The
branch of Šiauliai Pedagogical Institute, Klaipeda faculties of State Conservatoire,
the Maritime Museum and Aquarium, the clock Museum were founded, the complex restoration
of the Old town was started.
1986. International floating bridge Klaipeda-Mukran was
established.
1989. the first non-communist city council was elected.
1991. The University of Klaipeda was founded.
1997. One of the first Free Economic Zones of Lithuania was
established in Klaipeda.
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