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HISTORY Klaipeda is the third largest city of Lithuania. Situated on
the coast of the Baltic sea, it is the only one large sea-port in
Lithuania. Klaipeda is also the biggest center of culture, education and industry in
the Western part of Lithuania. The date, when the city
was founded is considered to be 1252. At that time the Livonic order
built a wooden fortress in the captured and at the estuary of
the river Dane, naming the city Memelburg. ln the
beginning of 11th century, after the Order of the Livonia
was annihilated, Klaipeda became a part of county of Prussia. Representing the very
northern province of Prussian principality (from 1701, Prussian kingdom) and having a
remarkable strategic position, it was a constant lure for various conquers. In 1629-1635
Swedes were masters, in 1757-1762 Russians, in 1812 - French. Twice,
the city experienced pestilence, which has taken away the lives of the bigger part of the
city population. |
The new
inhabitants would come from different places of Europe, mostly from Germany. The
Lithuanians would also come over from the nearby villages . In 1593
the trade ships were started to be built. The city at the time was in the process being
transformed into a large trading port, which was going to compete with such cities as
Gdansk and Kenigsberg. However, Klaipeda experienced its golden age
only in lath century, when close trading connections between the kingdom of Prussia and
the Lithuanian-Polish state were established. Names of streets in the old part of the
city, such as: Kalviu (black-smiths), Kurpiu(shoemakers),
Stikliu (glaziers), Kepeju (bakers), Zveju (fishermen)
indicate the fact that the tradle industry flourished at the time. Therewere also many saw mills and mills in the city.
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From
1871 Klaipeda was a part of German empire. Although the city was far from
the large centers of Germany, it could not escape all of the innovations at the end of the
19th century. Telephone poles were established all over the city.
There was also the Electricalstation built, cellulose
factory. However, the main breakthrough in the history of Klaipeda, came in the 20th century. In 1919, after Germany suffered a defeat, Klaipeda was
occupied by French troops. During the Lithuanian revolt in 1923, the whole land was
annexed to Lithuania. In "1939 after Hitler's declared
ultimatum, the area of Klaipeda came under control of Germany once again. ln 1945 Red Troops entered Klaipeda. The consequences of war were
horrible. Two-thirds of the city were destroyed, from nine churches that operated in the city before war, only three were left(later they also were destroyed).
People would leave the city or be killed. |
| In 1991, when Lithuania regained its independence, for the first time after the
war, people celebrated over the day of the city's foundation. ln the same
year one of the latest universities in Lithuania was opened in Klaipeda. At the square
in front of the Drama Theater the sculpture of Anchor) from Tarau, was placed and it became a symbol of
Klaipeda restoration. |
HISTORY
