I lived in Lithuania for 12 years, met my wife and both our kids were born there. In normal times we go back every year. I moved there for work in the mid nineties. Great place. Getting to Klaipėda and Nida is a long journey if you live in the North East of the country. When we retire we will be moving back.
Klaipeda is actually a former german town called Memel. All the old remaining buildings are german and the statue is called Ännchen von Tharau the song about her used to be the inofficial hymn of Eastprussia
Memel is actually a former Lithuanian place (village) called Klaipėda, which was captured by the Teutonic Knights (mostly Germans) in the 13th century, built a castle and renamed to Memel. For info: Prussia was one of the Baltic nations that later became extinct after being conquered by the Teutonic Knights in the 12th and 13th centuries.
Thank you Mark for this essential guide. It is so sad that currently Klaipeda is in stagnation due to the pandemic. Streets are empty, no cruise ships, everything is closed... People are waiting for it to be over🙂
We have taken the ferry from Kiel to Klaipedia a few years ago, than we go bay car to the other baltic contrey's, and from Helsinki back to Germany by ferry. It was amazing.
Sveiki, (hi) youtube algorithm brought me here, so glad to see this video about my hometown, You gave so much information, that I can't easily find any other, except You should really try to attend in Jūros Šventė (Sea Festival) it happens in summer end of July. At this Festival You can buy various souvenirs that are made in Lithuania. Also try a lot of different foods, and in my opinion the best thing about Sea Festival is that You can attend a lot of different events, like free concerts, firework shows, "dancing" fountains and a lot more. Once again, I'm really happy to see this video and really appreciate that You shared it :) Viso Gero (bye)
@@saulgoodman5451 Unfortunately the churches from the old city of Memel are all gone and have not been rebuilt. I will hand it to both the Poles and the Lithuanians - they have done a much better job of preserving historic buildings than the Soviets, who just bulldozed everything. Many buildings in Königsberg and Narva (which had been a charming baroque Swedish city, many saying it was even more beautiful than Tallinn) could have been saved and repaired and restored as some of the walls were still intact, but the Soviets cared not one iota for "bourgeois" architectural charms and instead just knocked everything down and replaced it with things like the hideous city of Kaliningrad (they did allow the cathedral and Kant's tomb in Königsberg to be restored, and one or two buildings in Narva to be fixed up, but so much beauty was irrevocably lost). Fortunately the Russians have re-discovered their ancient past thanks to the collapse of the USSR, and seem to have in the last two or three decades been busy restoring and rebuilding much of what they destroyed during 70 years of communism.
@@JamesVaughan yeah, I know, the thing is that Soviets didn't destroy the cities so they could have more space to build the ugly apartament buildings, but just so no one would remember the past of the countries, so they would never break down from USSR. So sad
@@saulgoodman5451 I think a lot of the destruction has to have been from pure spite (as well as revenge towards Germany). Russia has often in their past looked on with envy at some of their more prosperous, developed and Western-oriented "near abroad". I remember reading about what Ivan the Terrible did to Novgorod when the city (which had ties to the Hanseatic League in medieval times) started to get too rich!
Excellent video as usual. 👍 The wood carvings reminded me of the “superstitions of Lithuania” video from a few years ago. Since that topic is not often covered, those have always been especially interesting to me.
Omg, while I was studying Tourism ( it was like more than 5 years ago) I was watching " Wolters World" videos like one of the studying materials. And now...... Wolter is in my birth city and talking about my city.... It's crazy :) If I could now that he is coming here I would love to show him my city; )
i believe that Lithuanians are very nice towards tourists & foreigners is because we're going through a migration crisis, tons of people who have moved to foreign countries for better work opportunities (~300k atm). so to have someone enter the country, even temporarily, instead of leave is very flattering.
I guess living in Klaipeda you can really say “I can see Russia from my house” lol. Those potato dumplings looks amazing. That’s awesome that you can take a ferry to Germany, I would live to do that one day. Thanks for sharing my friend .:)
@@OGPakkBaby1 Thanks! Bro soon would go to Lithuania from India for work no problem with the accomodation and medical insurance company proved what about the rest food, internet and shopping
Extremely interesting video, but it omits one very important fact. Historically the city was the north-east extremity of Germany, and was known as Memel until annexed by Lithuania in 1923.
@@raduguru9261 what is now kaliningrad oblast, russia and north-west Poland used to be part of Germany, thus Lithuania used to have a border with Germany
Nope. It was curonian lands, one of the baltic tribs. Crusades in 14 century is what made it german lands, then again lithuanian, then russian... It's complicated 😋
Here used to live Baltic people for thousands of years. Germany in various its forms attempted to colonize these lands and assimilate og germanize the local population.
@@tomaskla9030 My question was provocation. Originals tribe in this land were Balts. Teutonic Knights were invited unfortunately by polish prince Konrad I of Masovia ( Konrad Mazowiecki ) in 1226. But Klaipeda was build by Germans.
Hi Mark, just wanna inform you and everybody else about the small zoo outside Klaipėda. That is a private zoo, and the owner is just awful. The zoo is too small for the animals it keeps, the cages are tiny, the big animals (especially the big cats) show terrible stereotypical movements . The cages are dirty, predators are kept near prey animals. If you care about animals DO NOT go to that zoo.
Great city and the zoo is cool. But I'd stay away from the Dolphinarium. That's really not looking after animal welfare keeping dolphins in such conditions!
The Dolphinarium is a disgrace to Klaipeda. Those unfortunate creatures incarcerated in the dark! The Lithuanians now at last enjoying freedom from the KGB should know better!
All crushes, old European building and old towns were built in other times like: PLC, GD of Lithuania .In independent First Lithuanian Republic (1918-1940) country built a lot modern houses in Kaunas. In second Lithuanian Republic (now) were built a lot skyscrapes and other buildings in Vilnius and in other cities. And well in soviet union communists built thousands ugly commie blocks and massive factories that now are useless. So shut your mouth if you don't know my country, foreigner who know about my Country only one thing that Lithuania was part of soviet union.
I lived in Lithuania for 12 years, met my wife and both our kids were born there. In normal times we go back every year.
I moved there for work in the mid nineties. Great place. Getting to Klaipėda and Nida is a long journey if you live in the North East of the country. When we retire we will be moving back.
I lived for 4 years
Lithuania is a wonderful country. Amazing you got to live In Klaipeda for 3.5 years.
wrong
@@Sky4Jus you have an anime profile picture therefore your opinion does not matter
Lithuania is really an underrated country to travel
No
I love how you present Klaipeda! Even if I live here it feels like I do not appreciate enough this city :D
So true 🇱🇹🇱🇹🇱🇹
Wante to visite LITHUANIE this dates
There is Some one to guide?
Looks very East Prussian to me which is a good thing when you think about the other choice!!
I must visit this year if possible.
Klaipeda is actually a former german town called Memel. All the old remaining buildings are german and the statue is called Ännchen von Tharau the song about her used to be the inofficial hymn of Eastprussia
Memel is actually a former Lithuanian place (village) called Klaipėda, which was captured by the Teutonic Knights (mostly Germans) in the 13th century, built a castle and renamed to Memel. For info: Prussia was one of the Baltic nations that later became extinct after being conquered by the Teutonic Knights in the 12th and 13th centuries.
@@aalio01 true and for a short time after WWI it was independent as Memel Land, before being annexed by Lithuania
6:01 AAAAAAAAWWWWW those baby tigers are so cute!!!!
Thank you Mark for this essential guide. It is so sad that currently Klaipeda is in stagnation due to the pandemic. Streets are empty, no cruise ships, everything is closed... People are waiting for it to be over🙂
I vacationed in Palanga in 1979 with my mom when I was 7
We have taken the ferry from Kiel to Klaipedia a few years ago, than we go bay car to the other baltic contrey's, and from Helsinki back to Germany by ferry.
It was amazing.
I loved staying in Klaipeda so much! Nida is a must see too 😍 Lithuania really is underrated 💖
Thank you
This place looks lovely. That's why I love this channel. I would have never thought to visit this place. Now, I want go😀
I lived in this city since I was born. Pretty decent interpretation!
Was here 2 days ago! I come here every year! Let me know when you're here, I would love to meet :D
What a great intro to Klaipėda! 🇱🇹
My great-grandfather was born in Memel. His name was Erich Friedrich Wilhelm Liedtke.
Sveiki, (hi) youtube algorithm brought me here, so glad to see this video about my hometown, You gave so much information, that I can't easily find any other, except You should really try to attend in Jūros Šventė (Sea Festival) it happens in summer end of July. At this Festival You can buy various souvenirs that are made in Lithuania. Also try a lot of different foods, and in my opinion the best thing about Sea Festival is that You can attend a lot of different events, like free concerts, firework shows, "dancing" fountains and a lot more. Once again, I'm really happy to see this video and really appreciate that You shared it :)
Viso Gero (bye)
Amazing film and amazing my Homeland! Thank you!
This video made me subscribe to your channel. Thank you for making video about Klaipėda. Great stuff!
The old East Prussian city of Memel. It's great to see that the Lithuanians have preserved many of the old German buildings.
Yes we as (lithuanians) like old things especially if they have historical value.
Yes, unfortunately, there really aren't many German buildings left. For example, you can walk around the old town in 30 min
@@saulgoodman5451 Unfortunately the churches from the old city of Memel are all gone and have not been rebuilt. I will hand it to both the Poles and the Lithuanians - they have done a much better job of preserving historic buildings than the Soviets, who just bulldozed everything. Many buildings in Königsberg and Narva (which had been a charming baroque Swedish city, many saying it was even more beautiful than Tallinn) could have been saved and repaired and restored as some of the walls were still intact, but the Soviets cared not one iota for "bourgeois" architectural charms and instead just knocked everything down and replaced it with things like the hideous city of Kaliningrad (they did allow the cathedral and Kant's tomb in Königsberg to be restored, and one or two buildings in Narva to be fixed up, but so much beauty was irrevocably lost). Fortunately the Russians have re-discovered their ancient past thanks to the collapse of the USSR, and seem to have in the last two or three decades been busy restoring and rebuilding much of what they destroyed during 70 years of communism.
@@JamesVaughan yeah, I know, the thing is that Soviets didn't destroy the cities so they could have more space to build the ugly apartament buildings, but just so no one would remember the past of the countries, so they would never break down from USSR. So sad
@@saulgoodman5451 I think a lot of the destruction has to have been from pure spite (as well as revenge towards Germany). Russia has often in their past looked on with envy at some of their more prosperous, developed and Western-oriented "near abroad". I remember reading about what Ivan the Terrible did to Novgorod when the city (which had ties to the Hanseatic League in medieval times) started to get too rich!
Excellent video as usual. 👍 The wood carvings reminded me of the “superstitions of Lithuania” video from a few years ago. Since that topic is not often covered, those have always been especially interesting to me.
My heart just clenched at the baby tigers 😭♥️ how cute!
I’ve been to the hill of witches! It’s so beautiful there and the little town.
The hill of witches, also known as my mother in law's bridge club with her friends
@@Originalman144 lol
Fingers crossed Baltics will open to all travelers this summer 🤞
Yes, my city.
I miss home so much! Really waiting to go back and explore coronian split, haven't been there for ages, but best childhood memories are from there
Iam from Klaipėda! Wow!
Omg, while I was studying Tourism ( it was like more than 5 years ago) I was watching " Wolters World" videos like one of the studying materials. And now...... Wolter is in my birth city and talking about my city.... It's crazy :) If I could now that he is coming here I would love to show him my city; )
Hi Wolter, thanks for visiting my Country! ❤️
Prašom
Fantastic
We are planning to take boat from Karlshamn to Klaipeda and then the bus from there to Vilnius, then bus to Riga and finally to Tallinn
Hey mark hope you and the family are doing good and staying healthy
It is about time I marry my Lithuanian Girlfriend I have been going to Lithuania since 2001 my second home
thanks for the nice video, i recommend everyone to visit my country
😍😍 My home town Love it! ❤️❤️❤️
i believe that Lithuanians are very nice towards tourists & foreigners is because we're going through a migration crisis, tons of people who have moved to foreign countries for better work opportunities (~300k atm). so to have someone enter the country, even temporarily, instead of leave is very flattering.
I guess living in Klaipeda you can really say “I can see Russia from my house” lol. Those potato dumplings looks amazing. That’s awesome that you can take a ferry to Germany, I would live to do that one day. Thanks for sharing my friend .:)
Well, you cannot see it from Klaipėda, in fact, I don't think you can see Russia from Nida, only if you climb the dunes
Klaipėda mano gimtinė 😭.
I will be there for 10 hours my stop from my cruise what to do private tour or ncl tour
Have you ever been / want to go visit Kaliningrad?
No mentioned...BUT at 3:00 is the building which HITLER addressed the Lithuanians...BEFORE WW2 broke out.
Now you know.
the beaches look beautiful, but how cold is that water?
22°C in summer evenings
Dude you are awesome also please share video with regards to cost of living for people that come there for work and tourists. Thanks! Bro
Rent is 150-250 per month euros. Very good Quality
@@OGPakkBaby1 Thanks! Bro soon would go to Lithuania from India for work no problem with the accomodation and medical insurance company proved what about the rest food, internet and shopping
@@maniviswanathan5828 Internet is free is bigger centres( where are many Shops in ome buiildings). Food idk, 150-300 per month, depends how you eat
@@OGPakkBaby1 I'll be staying at Vilnius and how is the situation there under control bro..anyway thanks! Appreciate it...
@@OGPakkBaby1 and what about sim card credit limit especially for overseas calls
Be enjoy happy for you
Now I'm getting homesick :(
Extremely interesting video, but it omits one very important fact. Historically the city was the north-east extremity of Germany, and was known as Memel until annexed by Lithuania in 1923.
How Germans came to this land ? Ethnic Germany is far from Klaipeda.
@@raduguru9261 what is now kaliningrad oblast, russia and north-west Poland used to be part of Germany, thus Lithuania used to have a border with Germany
Nope. It was curonian lands, one of the baltic tribs. Crusades in 14 century is what made it german lands, then again lithuanian, then russian... It's complicated 😋
Here used to live Baltic people for thousands of years. Germany in various its forms attempted to colonize these lands and assimilate og germanize the local population.
@@tomaskla9030 My question was provocation. Originals tribe in this land were Balts. Teutonic Knights were invited unfortunately by polish prince Konrad I of Masovia ( Konrad Mazowiecki ) in 1226. But Klaipeda was build by Germans.
That cute little house at 0:36 - Which Eastern European country has the most houses with that vibe? Poland?
They are in the Curonian Spit National Park, Lithuania
Lithuania is a Northern European country ** wcpd
Lithuania is a Noth European Country.
Pozdrowienia dla Polakow z Litwy
A pozdrawienia dla litwinow i żmudow?
Cheshch prezes.
ačiū
I have an question. Is it safe travel to Rio de Janeiro with your child?
Ya for sure man go in slums everyone is upstanding gentleman
@@Peaceofmind899 lol
Would love to visit some of those eastern European countries thanks for sharing
It's a fun spot
The Baltic states consider themselves as Northern Europe, same as Sweden and Finland. It is a great place to visit.
But Lithuania is a northern European country .
😍
Woot
I would not mind retiring in Lithuania if I ever manage to obtain citizenship for a EU country.
@hola Thanks for the advice!
Hi Mark, just wanna inform you and everybody else about the small zoo outside Klaipėda. That is a private zoo, and the owner is just awful. The zoo is too small for the animals it keeps, the cages are tiny, the big animals (especially the big cats) show terrible stereotypical movements . The cages are dirty, predators are kept near prey animals. If you care about animals DO NOT go to that zoo.
Jasenovac First konc lager for kids Magnum Crimen
✌😎👍🇺🇲🍻
Great city and the zoo is cool. But I'd stay away from the Dolphinarium. That's really not looking after animal welfare keeping dolphins in such conditions!
The Dolphinarium is a disgrace to Klaipeda. Those unfortunate creatures incarcerated in the dark! The Lithuanians now at last enjoying freedom from the KGB should know better!
germany
Because of the Ukraine War, many cruise ships have now changed itineraries to include Klaipeda. See you in June. Bye bye St Petersburg.
Lithuania is frozen!!!
Unfortunately everything been created in Soviet Union and none in " Independent" Lithuania :)
All crushes, old European building and old towns were built in other times like: PLC, GD of Lithuania .In independent First Lithuanian Republic (1918-1940) country built a lot modern houses in Kaunas. In second Lithuanian Republic (now) were built a lot skyscrapes and other buildings in Vilnius and in other cities.
And well in soviet union communists built thousands ugly commie blocks and massive factories that now are useless. So shut your mouth if you don't know my country, foreigner who know about my Country only one thing that Lithuania was part of soviet union.
Klaipeda? You mean Memel.
looks awful
I know! But it's amazing! Like i always say, there's absolutely nothing there! You need to be born there to love it! 💙