One of the hallmarks of the city of Klaipeda is the port, founded in the 13th century near the fortress walls of Memel. Until now, it is an important and largest transport center in Lithuania. Passenger and cargo ships depart from here all year round (the port never freezes) to Europe, America and Asia.
The article provides some useful information about the seaport of Klaipeda in Lithuania: location, description, attractions, etc.
A brief history of the city of Klaipeda
This is the third largest city in Lithuania after Kaunas and Vilnius. It is located in the western part of the state, where the B altic Sea passes into the Curonian Lagoon. According to archaeological finds and research, the city was inhabited by the B alts (ancestors of Lithuanians) already in the first centuries of our era.
Klaipeda until 1525 was a city of the Knights of the Teutonic Order, and until 1923 it belonged to Germany, as evidenced by the current architectural appearance of the "B altic pearl".
The city was pretty badly damaged after a large-scale fire,occurred in 1854 and during the Second World War. In total, about 60% of ancient buildings were destroyed, including ten temples. Today, only the remains of a fort (19th century building) located on the Curonian Spit and several castle bastions, as well as part of the castle in the Old Town (15th-19th century building) have survived in Klaipeda.
Linguistic and ethnic image of the city, due to its history, was and continues to be multinational. In addition to Lithuanians, Russians also live in it.
Port of Klaipeda
Klaipeda is a port city. It is located on the east coast of the B altic Sea. The port of Klaipeda is protected from the sea by a breakwater and two breakwaters, which ensure the safety of ships during winds of any direction. Along the eastern coast of the strait and along the Dange River, there are 15 berths capable of receiving sea vessels with a draft of up to 9.5 meters.
Klaipeda port is located at the closest distance from the main industrial regions of the countries located on the east side of the port (Russia, Ukraine, Belarus and others). The main shipping routes to the ports of Southeast Asia, Western Europe and the ports of America pass through the seaport.
Klaipeda is a deep-water, versatile port, home to 17 large construction and repair companies providing a full range of cargo handling and shipping services.
In the port you can feel the real atmosphere of the port city: a huge number of cargo towers and cranes, shipyards and terminals,ferries, many incoming and outgoing ships of various sizes. The area of the entire territory of the port is 415 hectares. The population of the city is 160 thousand people.
Features
The port of Klaipeda has implemented a modern GIS module (geographical information systems), which makes it possible to use a geographic database that simplifies the exchange of any information.
Klaipeda port is the leader in container transport among the ports of the B altic countries. The novelty of the seaport is the Viking train, which contributes to the successful development of container transportation. It connects the markets of the regions of two seas: the B altic and the Black (from Klaipeda through the cities of Minsk and Kyiv to the ports of Illichevsky and Odessa).
The input channel of the port has a depth of 15 meters, and the depth of the water area is 14.5 meters. The capacity of the annual cargo turnover of the port of Klaipeda reaches 40 million tons of various cargoes. The port is able to receive dry cargo ships (up to 80 thousand tons deadweight) and tankers (up to 150 thousand tons deadweight). The port of Klaipeda continues to develop rapidly.
Attractions
There is something to see where the port of Klaipeda is located. Even during an ordinary walk along it, in many places, sometimes in the most unexpected ones, there are interesting sculptures. For example, the “Black Ghost”, as if getting out of the water (on the site where the Memel castle stood), or the “Boy with a Dog” accompanying the departing ships.
In the city itself there are unique museums - maritime, blacksmithing and clocks. There is also a beautiful picturegallery. Numerous cafes and restaurants offer traditional European and Lithuanian cuisine, as well as excellent local beers.
Klaipeda is a popular seaside resort. There are three beaches in the northern part of the city. They were awarded the "blue flag" (meet the standards of the European Union).
In conclusion
In the summer, on the last July weekend, a cheerful and noisy sea festival takes place in the port city of Klaipeda. It has been held annually since 1934. The protagonist of the holiday is Neptune, sailing along the Dane River on an old ship. In addition, cultural events are held during this period, exhibitions and concerts are organized, as well as fishermen's competitions and yacht races. A sailing regatta also takes place here.
