• Make a pilgrimage to the Hill of Crosses in Šiauliai
• Visit a secret Soviet underground missile base
• Get up early to see the stunning sunrise on Palanga beach
• Relax and take in the breathtaking scenery in the UNESCO listed Curonian Spit National Park

Klaipéda

Founded in 1252 by the Livonian Order a castle was built here called Memelberg and the city became known as Memel in German.  In 1328 the Livonian Knights transferred Klaipéda to the German Order of Prussia.  Klaipéda had a short period of Swedish rule from 1629-1635 before being claimed by Russia in the 1700s.  Germany reclaimed the area in 1871 and control lasted until the end of World War I.

Following World War I, the Treaty of Versailles stipulated that Klaipéda and the Northern portion of the Curonian Spit would be transferred from Germany into a protectorate of the Entente states under temporary French jurisdiction.  ‘Memel Territory’ remained in a stateless limbo until January 1923 when the Lithuanians marched in and annexed the town.  In 1925, Memel was renamed Klaipéda.  Hitler annexed Klaipéda in 1939 and the Nazis used the harbour as a submarine base.  In 1945 the town was bombed in the lead up to its capture by the Red Army. 

Today, after much reconstruction and redevelopment, Klaipéda is a busy city and the third largest in Lithuania.  Klaipéda retains its German feel, although only some parts of the German Old Town survive.  The Theatre Square and the Klaipéda Theatre built in 1857 are focal points of the old town.  Klaipéda has many interesting museums to explore including the Clock and Watch Museum, Lithuanian Minor History Museum and Blacksmith’s Museum.

The location of Klaipéda is the main drawcard for visitors as the city borders the Dane River and the Curonian Lagoon and the UNESCO World Heritage listed Curonian Spit.  Just across from Klaipéda on the northern most point of the Curonian Spit is the town of Smiltyne.  The Curonian Spit National Park Nature Museum is here, as is the Maritime Museum, Aquarium and Dolphinarium. 

Curonian Spit National Park

In the year 2000, the Curonian Spit was included on the UNESCO World Heritage Site as one of the most beautiful and unique landscapes of Europe.  The Curonian Spit is a narrow 98km long peninsula lying between Lithuania and Kaliningrad and a place not to be missed when visiting the Baltics.  Until the 15th Century the entire peninsula was forested but fierce sandstorms ravaged the Curonian Spit and buried fishermen’s villages.  Human habitation on the peninsula dates back to prehistoric times and its survival against the constant threat of natural forces has only been possible because of the effort of the residents.  Conservation of the area began in 1825 with the planting of trees on the dunes and this continues today. 

The Curonian Spit is made up of constantly shifting sand.  There are fears that the peninsula may disappear in two centuries, as the sand dunes creep closer to the Baltic Sea.  The sand is moving at a pace of 20 metres per year and has in the past swallowed 14 villages. 

Until 1992 the white sandy coastline was occupied by the Soviet Army.  All the fishing villages along the Curonian Spit face towards the Curonian lagoon.  One of the main towns on the peninsula is Nida, which boasts the mildest climate in Lithuania and the most sunny days per year.  The waves from the Baltic Sea pound one side of the peninsula while the Curonian Lagoon laps the other. 

Nida is the largest resort town on the Curonian Spit just before the border with Russian Kaliningrad.  The town has had to shift locations several times to avoid the moving sand.  Its enviable position surrounded by lagoon waters, sand, forests and wooden cottages make it a very popular summer holiday destination.  The German author Thomas Mann holidayed here as did the philosopher John Paul Sartre. 

Activities around Nida include bicycle hire, walking, swimming, wind surfing and a trip on a traditional fishing boat.  70% of the Curonian Spit is forested and it is sometimes possible to spot some of the rarer animals on the peninsula.

Palanga

Palanga dates from the 12th century and is now locally known as an all night party place in summer.  Palanga is the most popular beach resort in Lithuania and it is easy to see why.  Its’ famous 10 kilometres of sandy beaches, mild climate and the party atmosphere all make for a perfect holiday destination. 

Palanga became a popular seaside and spa resort in the 19th Century.  The town still retains some of its traditional charms, such as the wooden cottages and tree lined streets.  The Botanical Park which lies alongside the Baltic Sea is a perfect place to visit for peaceful strolling.  The gardens were designed in French style by landscape artist Edward Andre. The Palace now houses the Amber Museum which exhibits over 20,000 amber artefacts.  Amber is a speciality in the Baltics and it is still possible to find pieces washed up on the beaches in Lithuania. 

The Palanga pier is the entertainment centre of the town, lined with bars and restaurants.  The grand opening of the summer season is a big occasion in Palanga.  On the first Saturday in June the town celebrates with a street carnival, song festival, markets and concerts.  The closing of the season on the last Saturday in August is met with similar celebrations. 

Šiauliai

Šiauliai was founded in 1236 after a great battle which ended with the defeat of the Knights of the Sword.  The town grew from the 16th Century and is most famous for the Hill of Crosses.  For centuries this hill has been a religious site, although its origins are not entirely known. The hill itself is only small but thousands of crosses are lined on the top.  The hill used to be much larger but was bulldozed by the Soviets three times.  Under Soviet occupation, religion was repressed and practising the Christian faith was banned.  After each time the hill was destroyed by the Soviets more and more crosses reappeared.  It has inspired many pilgrimages with people travelling from all over the world to add their own crosses. 

Driving from Šiauliai to Palanga and Klaipéda it is possible to stopover at Zemaitija National Park. The park is the site of a secret Soviet underground missile base that you can visit.  During the Cold War the base once contained nuclear warheads aimed at Europe.  The warheads were 22 metres long and 3 metres wide and secretly placed in central Lithuania so they were within range of the their targets; Britain, Norway, West Germany, Turkey and Spain.  The missile base was secret for almost 40 years.  Tours can be arranged of the site.