The Lithuanian beach resort occupies a 25-kilometer strip of the Baltic coast near the border with Latvia. The city was officially founded in 1253, when Palanga was mentioned in the chronicles of the German order. For several centuries, the inhabitants of Palanga have been engaged in traditional fishing, trade and amber collection. The city often passed under the banners of various states: it was part of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania, was part of the Russian Empire and belonged to the Courland province, was occupied by the Germans and Latvians. Historical vicissitudes have left a considerable mark on the past of the region, and tourists who come to the Baltic beaches will always find something to see in Palanga. Old churches have been preserved in the city, memorial estates that belonged to celebrities have been restored, and museum expositions have been opened, which are of undoubted interest for both adults and young tourists.
TOP-10 sights of Palanga
Tyszkiewicz Palace
In the XIX century. Palanga belonged to the Tyshkevich family. With their money, many structures were built in the city, beaches were equipped, a theater was opened and a gymnasium began to work. In 1893, Count Felix Tyszkiewicz started the construction of a palace surrounded by an English park. The architect was Franz Heinrich Schwechten, who chose the neo-Renaissance style that was fashionable in that era, generously seasoned with features of baroque and classicism for the project.
Special attention in the Tyszkiewicz Palace, restored after the Second World War, are worthy of:
- The chapel also designed by Schwechten. It is connected to the palace by a covered gallery and often becomes a venue for exhibitions.
- The rose garden at the south entrance is especially beautiful in summer, when hundreds of rose bushes bloom on the flower beds.
- The terrace above the front porch is in the form of a large balcony, supported by classic columns and bounded by a wrought-iron railing.
- The figure of Jesus installed at the northern entrance. A copy of the sculpture demolished during the Soviet era was made from the surviving photographs of the original brought from the French capital in 1900.
Holidays and festivals are often held in the botanical garden that surrounds the mansion.
Mount Birute and the palace park
The huge park surrounding the Tyszkiewicz Palace was founded by Count Felix at the end of the 19th century. Tyszkiewicz invited the Frenchman André, a famous architect and landscape decorator at that time, to develop the project and lead the work on its implementation. Monsieur Edouard André created a unique botanical park, where more than 600 plant species feel great on a huge area. Some of them are listed today in the Red Book, and the rangers of the Tyshkevich Park take part in the noble cause of preserving rare specimens of the Baltic flora.
In the park you will find seating areas with comfortable benches, fountains and ponds. The reservoirs were chosen by waterfowl - swans and ducks. Sand dunes, which are called natural attractions of Palanga and the entire Baltic seaside, are harmoniously inscribed in the landscape. One of them is named after the pagan priestess Birute. Legends say that Birute became the mother of the Grand Duke of Lithuania Vitovt. There are paths leading to Mount Birute, and at its top there is an observation deck, which is decorated with a sculpture of a priestess.
Amber Museum in Palanga
Opened in 1963 in the Tyszkiewicz Palace, the Amber Museum is considered one of the largest in the world. Its unique collection is housed in fifteen rooms, the total area of which is 700 sq. m. In total, the museum has 30 thousand storage units.
In the Tyszkiewicz Palace in Palanga, you can look at amber samples of amazing size and beauty, which are classified as precious stones due to their exclusivity. The largest copy of the exhibits on display is called the "Sun Stone" and weighs more than 3.5 kg.
The most valuable amber formations are called inclusions. Each of them contains an insect or part of a plant, around which amber ingots were formed from the hardened resin.
In addition to the amber formations found on the shores of the Baltic, the museum presents items made of valuable material. You will see not only decorations, but also church utensils, household items, boxes, picture frames, chess, sailboat models and much more. The objects of cultural heritage on display in the museum are a ring made in the 15th century, a cross of the 16th century. and various jewelry of the XVI-XIX centuries.
Church of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary
The construction of the Palanga church was financed by various patrons, but a third of the funds for its construction were allocated by the family of the same Tyshkevichs. The project began to be implemented at the very end of the 19th century. The church was consecrated a few years later in honor of the Ascension of the Virgin.
The red brick building soared into the sky for more than 70 meters and is the tallest in Palanga. In the church you can see old icons and carved marble bas-reliefs that adorn the interior. If you like organ music and choral singing, it makes sense to come to evening mass.
Due to its amazing acoustics, the Church of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary often hosts concerts of symphonic music and other cultural events within the framework of numerous festivals.
Old pharmacy
In the house located at: st. Vytauto, d. 33, in the first half of the 19th century, a pharmacy was opened, which became famous throughout the Baltic States and even beyond, thanks to one unique recipe. Local pharmacists have come up with an elixir containing 27 plants. The old drug is called "999" and is still on sale in the pharmacy.
Pharmacy in Palanga became the first in Lithuania. The building in which it is located now is a typical house built in the city in the first half of the 19th century.
In the 40s. of the last century, the mansion was given to the NKVD, and a sad period began in the history of the Old Pharmacy of Palanga. Those sentenced to exile were gathered in the courtyard, from where the convoy was sent to Siberia.
In the 90s. XX century the building was restored and magic elixirs were prepared again. You can buy Dr. Schroeder's drops or the legendary tincture "999" as a gift to your friends and as a souvenir to remember your trip to Palanga.
Schlupas Museum
After Palanga received the status of a city, in 1933, Dr. Jonas Šliupas became its first burgomaster. Born into a well-to-do peasant family, he was educated at the Faculty of Medicine at a university in the United States and served as the Lithuanian diplomatic representative to the United Kingdom and the United States. In 1930 the doctor settled in Palanga and taught at a local school.
The estate, which belonged to Shlyupas, now has the status of a house-museum. The exposition presents the history of the Lithuanian national movement for independence, of which Dr. Šliupas was a participant before leaving for the United States. Part of the premises of the mansion is occupied by an exhibition dedicated to the past of Palanga. The history of the city can be learned from old photographs, authentic documents and maps. The owner's study gives a glimpse into the private life of a Lithuanian doctor who practiced in the first third of the 20th century.
The collection of photographs of Professor I. Končius, exhibited in the museum, tells about the surroundings of Palanga. The pictures show the views of the old town and the Baltic Sea.
House Museum of Monchis
In 1998, an art museum was opened in Palanga, the basis of the exposition was 200 works of Antanas Moncis. The famous Lithuanian master of sculpture, graphics and painting donated a large collection of his works to his hometown.
Monchis spent almost his entire life in exile, but his love for his native Baltic did not leave the master until the end of his days. Ethnic Lithuanian motives are traced in the works, and each painting, graphic sketch or sculpture is permeated with human emotions and passions.
A special feature of the exposition is the possibility of contact acquaintance. The author bequeathed that every work the visitor could literally feel, and therefore the exhibits can be picked up or touched.
Dog Museum
Lovers of our smaller brothers, once in Palanga, will certainly drop by the Dog Museum, which opened at the Baltic resort in 2010. Its owners are the Kusas family. The artist Vytautas and his wife Vida began collecting figurines, statuettes, images of dogs in the early 90s.
The idea arose at an exhibition of four-legged animals, where the Kusas bought the first figurine. Since then, the collection has grown significantly, and today in the Palanga Museum you can see more than 3000 items dedicated to human friends.
In addition to figurines made of amber and representing the signature Baltic style of local craftsmen, you will find figurines made of stone and wood, bronze and silver, glass and onyx, straw and even marzipan in the museum. Inkpots and piggy banks, salt shakers and plates, watches and key rings, boxes and door handles are made in the form of four-legged different breeds. The largest exhibit is a sculpture of a dog carved from wood, which reaches a height of 80 cm.
One of the halls of the museum is dedicated to the work of the owner. Here you can look at the paintings of Vytautas Kusas, a well-known master of painting in Palanga and Lithuania.
Jonines
If you find yourself in Palanga at the height of summer, you should see how its inhabitants celebrate the Yonines holiday. This is the name of the shortest night of the year, coming on June 22.
On the eve, bonfires and pagan relics are erected on high dunes and hills. At night, bonfires are lit and there are round dances, chants and dances. The holiday resembles the night of Ivan Kupala in Russia and Ligo in Latvia, but has its own characteristics and traditions. Jonines Night occupies a worthy place in the list of cultural attractions of Lithuania and Palanga.
Sventoji port
A small village in the suburbs of Palanga annually becomes the venue for the Fisherman's Day holiday. Usually it is celebrated on the second Sunday of July, and at this time locals and tourists from all over the coast gather in the port of Sventoji.
In honor of the holiday, various competitions are organized: fishing without a rod, tug-of-war, tying knots at speed, relay boat races. All guests are fed fresh fish soup, and the holiday ends with dances, festivities and traditional fireworks.
