Klaipėda

THE WHOLE SEA WORLD IN ONE MUSEUM

It is not a common practice to combine such different exhibits as a large Soviet trawler, coral reef animals and even dolphins in one place. Such a unique variety is offered by the Lithuanian Sea Museum located in the remarkable place - the Curonian Spit next to beautiful beaches of the Baltic Sea.

The most visited museum in the Baltic States was open in 1979. Dolphinarium is closed for reconstruction till 2014.

Sea Museum is a unique combination of sea life and history located in the northernmost point of the Curonian Spit in the place of the former village Kopgalis. The interesting fact is that this corner is the youngest land plot in Lithuania, which came into existence two hundred years ago, because this area became suitable for people to live after fortification of the quay and the dunes.

If you go to the museum from Klaipeda, you will have a romantic ferry-trip across the Curonian Lagoon. To reach the museum after crossing the Lagoon you may choose a horse drawn coach or a pleasant walk. A two-kilometre walk across the UNESCO-protected Curonian Spit National Park will be a pleasant experience, as this place has been created by joint efforts of humans and nature.

At the approaches to the museum the visitors can explore ancient ships telling us an interesting history of navigation in the Curonian Lagoon and more distant waters. Here the visitors can see a traditional Curonian sailing-boat Kurenas. Nearby there is an ocean-going soviet time fishing boat “Dubingiai” and two her smaller sisters. Further you can visit a fisherman’s ethnographic farmstead and explore the fisherman’s everyday life and traditional fishing. In summer this farmstead traditionally hosts fishermen’s folklore feasts.

The 19th century fort now is the home to sea animals, fish, the North Sea lions, seals and penguins. You can watch the California Sea lions show in the museum’s amphitheatre from May to October.

The aquaria invite the visitors to watch spectacular corals, tropical and local fish. The great pool is the home to the relic from the dinosaur-era sturgeons brought to Kopgalis from the Caspian Sea. The modern exhibition on the second floor of the museum tells us the life evolution history on the Earth. The largest in Europe collection of shells is exhibited here. The attractive and mysterious exhibition “Predatory and Dangerous Sea Animals: myths and reality” includes 35 life-size exotic and rear fish sculptures.

The Director Mrs. Olga Žalienė emphasizes educational mission of the museum and presents the exhibitions addressing the visitors of any age.

“The museum increasingly invites to learn about the ecological issues and deepen scientific knowledge about the nature, relevant environmental problems of the Baltic Sea, history of the Lithuanian navigation, - says Mrs. Olga Žalienė. We understand that the today’s visitor is a special visitor. It is extremely difficult to intrigue teenagers who live their lives through the computer display. Nevertheless, their attention will be attracted by our seven information terminals located in different exhibitions. Those terminals offer virtual information, animated stories, and games.”

Venue

Lithuanian Sea Museum, Smiltynės str. 3 ,Klaipėda, LT- 93100, Lithuania Tel.: + 370 46 49 22 50, +370 46 49 07 51, +370 69837299, Ticket office tel.: +370 46 49 07 54   E-mail: ljm@muziejus.lt  www.muziejus.lt

Pictures by Algimantas Kalvaitis and Alfonsas Mažūnas