The story of Klaipėda Castle

Memelburg began as a wooden fort in a marsh in 1252, when the Teutonic Order agreed with the Curonian bishop to build a stronghold between the Nemunas and Danė rivers. The low, wet ground caused problems, so in 1253 a new stone castle rose on the right bank of the Danė.

It became a frontline outpost in the wars with the pagan Lithuanians and Samogitians, who destroyed it in 1379. Rebuilt again and again, in the 16th century it became one of the region's first bastion fortresses, upgraded by French engineers between 1529 and 1559. Swedish attacks devastated it in 1629, a war with Russia damaged it in 1757, and by the late 18th century it had lost its military role. Its last buildings were demolished between 1872 and 1874. Archaeologists dug here from 1968, and on 1 August 2002, for the city's 750th anniversary, a museum opened in a chamber under the bastion where artillery was once stored.

Each year the grounds host a jazz festival.