Timber Frame Buildings in Klaipėda

Introduction

Klaipėda, the third largest city in Lithuania, was established by the knights of the Teutonic Order in 1252. It belonged to the successive German states until the Treaty of Versailles in 1919. Its German name was Memel. It was a part of the province of East Prussia and was for a long time the northernmost of all the German cities.

Because of its German history the architecture of Klaipėda stands apart from that of the other cities in Lithuania. This is especially clear when one looks at the relatively large number of timber frame, or Fachwerk, buildings that survive here. In these buildings, the structural frame is composed of horizontal, vertical and diagonal elements of timber, which are left exposed on the exterior. The spaces between the timber posts and beams are filled with contrasting materials, such as clay or brick, creating a decorative effect. Because timber frame houses are lighter than those made entirely of stone, they are suitable for cities that stand on a marshy soil, like Klaipėda.

Most of the Fachwerk houses that survive in Klaipėda are located in the area formerly known as Friedrichstadt. It was located southeast of the historical city centre, separated from it by the Old Danė (Dangė) River (today’s Didžioji Vandens Street). It was founded in the early 16th century by leather workers, after whom it got its initial name. In the 17th century, when Memel got a new belt of fortifications, the Old Danė River was filled in and the two parts of the city merged. This marked the beginning of a rapid development of the area, which soon became one of the main centres of craftsmen in the city. In 1854, when Memel was ravaged by fire, Friedrichstadt suffered less than the surrounding neighbourhoods. This is also why, today, we can see a larger number of older structures here than anywhere else in the city.

Sites

The 13 structures below are the most important and the most visible examples of timber frame architecture in Klaipėda. Most of them date back to the 18th century. Almost all of them were modified or reconstructed in the 19th and 20th centuries. Many were originally used for commercial purposes, mostly as warehouses. Today they are often used as apartment buildings.