Jewish Klaipeda | World Jewish Travel

Jewish city story of Klaipeda

Klaipėda is the oldest city in Lithuania founded in 1252 when the Livonian Order built Memelburg Castle in the place where the Curonian lagoon meets the Baltic Sea.

The city founders signed an agreement on the construction of both Memelburg castle and the city; the founders had a clear vision of spreading the faith and becoming an important defensive fort. They wanted well-being for the citizens and wished the city „ great happiness and salvation”. Over time, numerous chronicles narrated the attacks by foreign forces and fierce battles for the Memel castle, the main fortress of the city, which was later renamed Klaipėda.

Klaipėda is a city of water. The poetess Agnes Miegel called it „A shining water land”. Flowing through the city like a stream of life, the wind ruffled River Dangė encourages individuality and gives strength to the citizens. The Curonian Lagoon and the Baltic Sea...

THE BEST OF Klaipeda

Tours

Exploring Klaipėda on the Shekel Road

and 1 other Tours

Hotels

Friedrich Guesthouse

and 2 other Hotels

קבלו השראה! Get Inspired!

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אתרים מומלצים Sites to see

Sites

Synagogue and Former Jewish Cemetery

After the restoration of Lithuania's independence, the territory of the cemetery was fenced off, and the surviving tombstones and their fragments were embedded in the wall of remembrance. An avenue of thuja trees is planted in honor of the 29 World Righteous of Klaipėda County who risked their lives to save Jews. The former radio station building is now home to the Klaipėda Jewish Community.

Sites

Jewish Quarter (Jüdische Volksbank)

A building at the Sukilėlių st. 12 (former Grabenstr.) housed the Jewish Folk Bank. During the interwar period, such banks werw established in almost all the larger towns and cities of Lithuania. Providing small credits to merchants and craftsmen, these banks saved many Jewish families from grave poverty. Due to the peculiar situation of the Territory of Memel (Klaipėda region), the Jewish Folk Bank here also played a rather unusual role - it helped to "Lithuanianize" the region.

Sites

A Memorial Plaque to Rudolph Valsonok

In 1926 Rudolf Valsonok (1889-1946) was driven to Memel (Klaipėda) by journalism and politics - two spheres he remained loyal to for the rest of his life. Here in Memel Valsonok spent his most creative years, worked as an editor, not only wrote a lot on the economic and political issues in a local newspaper but also published several books. At the same time, he actively represented the interests of the Nafthal family. After surviving Kaunas Ghetto and the Dachau concentration camp, in the last years of his life, Valsonok became the editor of the first port-Holocaust Jewish newspaper, Ladsberger Lager Tsaytung in Landsberg. He resided in several places in Memel.

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Tours of Klaipeda

Tours

Exploring Klaipėda on the Shekel Road

On this sightseeing tour, you'll travel around present-day Klaipėda (historic Memel) and get to know the multicultural city. You will find out to whom Israel is grateful for its national flag and currency; how many synagogues there were in Klaipėda; what links the Jews of Klaipėda with amber; how a doctor of Jewish origin helped stop the spread of leprosy to Europe; why one of the richest and most famous philanthropists of Memel, merchant Ludwig Wiener, who after his death bequeathed his entire estate to the city magistrate and the poor, was buried in the city cemetery instead of the Jewish cemetery; and why the tour is called “Exploring Klaipėda on the shekel road”. The route will take about 2.5–3 hours, and you will travel about 4 km.

Tours

The History of Aukštoji Street, Market Square, and Synagogue Street

Do you know where the tallest fachwerk warehouse in Klaipėda stands? And where was the first synagogue and ritual sauna? What was called Friedrich's Suburb and what was sold at the suburban market? Or maybe you are wondering what the "East Prussian May Drink" is and where the old townspeople could taste it? From fachwerk to the post road, from amber to the life of the Jewish community in Klaipėda – on a theatrical excursion from Aukštoji to Sinagogų Street.

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מסעדות בסגנון יהודי JEWISH STYLE RESTAURANTS

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מדריכים בעיר CITY GUIDES

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קראו עוד בלוגים וספרים אלקטרוניים READ MORE BLOGS AND EBOOKS

World Jewish Travel Official May 24, 2022

The Jewish Story of Klaipeda, Lithuania

Klaipėda is the oldest city in Lithuania founded in 1252 when the Livonian Order built Memelburg Castle in the place where the Curonian lagoon meets the Baltic Sea.

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Hotels in Klaipeda

Hotels

Friedrich Guesthouse

Friedrich‘s guest house is conforming to modern standards while keeping the spirit of the historic Klaipeda old town. The luxurious guest house furnished in classical style opened its doors in July of 2009. It houses 5 double and 3 four-bed apartments equipped with modern appliances. We offer for our guests various suites – from economy class to deluxe king apartments. Friedrich‘s arcade is one of the most vivid symbols of Klaipeda. Long and colorful history of the old town and progressive modernism meets here. This unique space represents the lively tradition of the biggest European capitals to transform whole streets into arcades that unite cozy cafes, restaurants, stylish boutiques and guest houses in one place. The arcade opened in 2006 and was named to commemorate a historic personality - King Friedrich Wilhelm III of Prussia who resided in Klaipeda during the Napoleon war. Today Friedrich‘s arcade is rightfully titled by Klaipeda citizens and city‘s guests as probably the coziest attraction centre with the most unique aura on the Lithuanian coast. Everybody who comes for a cup of coffee, business lunch or dinner with a company of friends is welcomed here.

Hotels

Navalis Hotel

“NAVALIS” is an elegant 4+ star business class hotel located in the centre of Klaipėda. The hotel building was built in 1863 with the funds of J. L. Wiener, a philanthropist merchant of Klaipėda. The hotel offers guests a quiet and comfortable stay in standard, business and deluxe rooms or suites with balconies (terraces). “NAVALIS” is listed as a cultural heritage object for its architecture. This Klaipėda hotel has preserved its authentic 19th-century red brick walls. The interior of the lobby is decorated with a fragment of a wooden ship.

Hotels

Michaelson Boutique Hotel

MICHAELSON boutique HOTEL is one of the best rated hotels in Western Lithuania, from where you can easily reach any corner of the Klaipeda region and the Baltic coast. The people of the seaside always influence the architecture of the port city, and of course our character and identity. Located in a restored 18th century building. In a warehouse building where the action took place on a regular basis, the MICHAELSON boutique HOTEL is named after his first owner, the merchant Epraheim Michaelson, in his honor and memory. Warehouses at Žvejų g. 18 and 18A are authentic 18th - 19th century. The legacy of the Lithuanian maritime heritage, unique and protected, they are included in the Register of Lithuanian Cultural Heritage. 16 unique rooms, each designed for your relaxation and comfort. The special architecture is full of centuries-long stories and mysteries. Here you will feel like nowhere else in Lithuania. The attention to detail and the wishes of each guest ensure that guests will find EVERYTHING for a great holiday, a moment of respite or relaxation during a business trip. We designed the Michaelson Resto-bar to surprise. Tastes, harmony, presentation, unique menu. Breakfast, lunch or dinner - every time we try to create a mini performance for you. Because food is more than taste. A romantic evening, time with friends or business partners - Michaelson Resto-bar will create unique moments and smiles.

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🌍 Celebrating One Year of the Jewish Silk Road Portal

World Jewish Travel was thrilled at #IMTM 2024 to present a copy of the WJT Jewish Silk Road Pressbook to the CEO of the Azerbaijan National Tourism Board Florian Sengstschmid and Jamilya Talibzade its Israeli representative Azerbaijan Tourism Board (ATB).

The Pressbook celebrates the one year anniversary of the Jewish Silk Road Portal launch, an amazing example of using Jewish travel as a means of cultural diplomacy, whilst highlighting the significant Jewish contribution to the ancient trade route. Kudos to our participating partners from the Kiriaty Foundation (Turkey), National Board of Tourism of #Georgia, National Board of Tourism of #Uzbekistan, and Israeli Embassy of #India.

See the overwhelming reaction from the press, by downloading our free pressbook. Special thanks to Moshe Gilad of the @haaretzcom for highlighting this forgotten but important story in the Galeria section of the newspaper and available to download on WJT.

👉Link to WJT Jewsih Silk Rad Pressbook and more is in our bio

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🌍 Celebrating One Year of the Jewish Silk Road Portal

World Jewish Travel was thrilled at #IMTM 2024 to present a copy of the WJT Jewish Silk Road Pressbook to the CEO of the Azerbaijan National Tourism Board Florian Sengstschmid and Jamilya Talibzade its Israeli representative Azerbaijan Tourism Board (ATB).

The Pressbook celebrates the one year anniversary of the Jewish Silk Road Portal launch, an amazing example of using Jewish travel as a means of cultural diplomacy, whilst highlighting the significant Jewish contribution to the ancient trade route. Kudos to our participating partners from the Kiriaty Foundation (Turkey), National Board of Tourism of #Georgia, National Board of Tourism of #Uzbekistan, and Israeli Embassy of #India.

See the overwhelming reaction from the press, by downloading our free pressbook. Special thanks to Moshe Gilad of the @haaretzcom for highlighting this forgotten but important story in the Galeria section of the newspaper and available to download on WJT.

👉Link to WJT Jewsih Silk Rad Pressbook and more is in our bio

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Step into the soul-stirring Pesach traditions of Jerusalem virtually. Experience the resonating echoes of Birkat Kohanim🌿

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#VirtualTravel #JerusalemVibes #SpiritualJourney #JewishTravel #Isarel #BirkatKohanim #JewishJerusalem

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Step into the soul-stirring Pesach traditions of Jerusalem virtually. Experience the resonating echoes of Birkat Kohanim🌿

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#VirtualTravel #JerusalemVibes #SpiritualJourney #JewishTravel #Isarel #BirkatKohanim #JewishJerusalem

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Discover the enigmatic “Donkey Stable” in Jerusalem`s underground. Unveil the city`s secrets from home. 🌌

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#JerusalemUnderground #CitySecrets #ExploreHistory #JewishTravel #Israel #Travel #WesternWall

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Discover the enigmatic “Donkey Stable” in Jerusalem's underground. Unveil the city's secrets from home. 🌌

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#JerusalemUnderground #CitySecrets #ExploreHistory #JewishTravel #Israel #Travel #WesternWall

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🏰✨ Travel through time and faith without leaving home! Join on a virtual journey through Jerusalem’s Old City, a place where history and spirituality meet.

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🏰✨ Travel through time and faith without leaving home! Join on a virtual journey through Jerusalem’s Old City, a place where history and spirituality meet.

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#VirtualTour #Jerusalem #Passover
#easter #JewishTravel #Israel

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🌟 This journey brings Jerusalem`s sites right to your screen. Don`t miss this opportunity to connect with the spirit of Jerusalem from home.🌿

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🌟 This journey brings Jerusalem's sites right to your screen. Don't miss this opportunity to connect with the spirit of Jerusalem from home.🌿

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#VirtualJerusalem #HolyWeekAtHome #easter #jewishtravel #EasterTravel #virtualTour

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Embark on a virtual journey through the Holy Land🌿!
Join `Explore the Holy Land’ Virtual Journey, where ancient traditions come to life.

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#VirtualJourney #HolyLandExperience
#EasterVirtualTour #PassoverExperience
#JerusalemVirtual #Travel

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Embark on a virtual journey through the Holy Land🌿!
Join 'Explore the Holy Land’ Virtual Journey, where ancient traditions come to life.

Check our bio for the link💫

#VirtualJourney #HolyLandExperience
#EasterVirtualTour #PassoverExperience
#JerusalemVirtual #Travel

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