Klaipėda Castle

Klaipėda Castle (Lithuanian: Klaipėdos pilis), 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. The museum has reopened following restoration, which was completed in 2021.

Text adapted from “Klaipėda Castle” on Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0.

Klaipėda Castle ranks #1,662 of 7,738 worldwide in the atlas's castle fame ranking, and #12 of the 29 mapped in Lithuania. Founded 1300, it is older than 63% of the atlas's dated landmarks — one of 825 atlas entries founded in the 13th century. Its Wikipedia articles were opened 3,173 times in the last 60 days, more than 76% of the atlas. 1 more atlas landmarks stand within 25 km. See how Lithuania compares in the castle statistics.

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