page_title: Klaipėda Castle
section_title: Castle today
hierarchical_section_title: Klaipėda Castle / Castle today
caption_attribution_description: English: Panoramic view of Klaipėda Castle site. Lietuvių: Panoraminis Klaipėdos pilies vietovės vaizdas.
context_page_description: Klaipėda Castle, also known as Memelburg or Memel Castle, is an archeological site and museum housed in a castle built by the Teutonic Knights in Klaipėda, Lithuania, near the Baltic Sea. The Teutons called the castle Memelburg or Memel, and Klaipėda was generally known as Memel until 1923, when Lithuanian military forces took over the city. The castle was first mentioned in written sources in 1252, and underwent numerous destructions and reconstructions in the centuries that followed. During the 19th century, having lost its strategic importance, the castle was demolished. Archeological work was performed at the site during the 20th century, and in 2002 a museum was established underneath one of its bastions. Currently, the castle is being restored. The construction work is not scheduled to finish until 2020.
context_section_description: A major excavation of the castle's site was performed in 1968 under the supervision of archaeologist Adolfas Tautavičius. At that time a major cultural layer of the former Teuton castle was discovered. Excavations at the site have been ongoing since 1975; the work has been delayed by the urbanization of the area, which is near the Port of Klaipėda. Plans have been made to remove surrounding structures; this removal was scheduled for completion in 2009.
  On August 1, 2002, in celebration of the City of Klaipėda's 750th anniversary, a museum was opened at the castle. The museum is located in the Prince Fredric chamber under the bastion, where artillery was stored in the 17th century. Visitors may familiarize themselves with the excavated findings, view the authentic remaining sections of the castle, and follow its historical development. The City of Klaipėda, in partnership with the European Network of National Heritage Organisations, envisions a re-integration of the castle and its surroundings with the Old Town and the Curonian Lagoon. The castle's site has since become one of Klaipėda's most popular tourist attractions. The annual Klaipėda Castle Jazz Festival is held on the grounds.
caption: Klaipėda Castle site in 2006.
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