Lithuania: Vilnius and Klaipeda [Archive]

Pansori

May 16th, 2010, 09:16 PM

My recent trip to Lithuania. A few snapshot of the capital city Vilnius and the port city Klaipėda which is located 300km away.

First,
Vilnius

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The skyline of New City Center seen while entering the city from the North via A14 road
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Gediminas Avenue. The beautiful central shopping street. It has largely lost its fame as a real shopping street though. This is due to competition from large shopping malls outside the city center and partly due to the recent crisis which made shoppers' wallets thinner
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It's best to visit Vilnius during the summer, however there is no shortage of tourists during the rest of the year either. Strong growth in tourist arrivals is expected this year
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Statues at the entrance of the National Drama Theater
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"The almighty God will save you from all kinds of shit and if he won't then that's what you deserve", says the holy statue on the top of the Cathedral of Vilnius... just make sure you leave him some cash: Euros, US Dollars, Pounds Sterling and all other major currencies accepted. Oh yeah, don't forget to pray as well. Lithuania remains a largely Catholic country despite many people not being extremely strong believers. I'm thanking the almighty God that Lithuania is not as Catholic as our Southern Polish neighbours ;). The sooner we get rid of that religious Catholic mindset, the better it will be for all
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Volvo 7700 makes up a large part of Vilnius's bus fleet. The buses are designed for cold climate (double glazing, powerful heating system) while also have air-conditioners to cool down the hot heads during the hot periods in summer
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Pansori

May 16th, 2010, 09:16 PM

Plate on a bridge railing: "There are poeple who care about you. Emotional support via freephone. Youth line". Sadly Lithuania is among the record-breakers when it comes to suicide rates per capita not only in Europe but the world (being second only to Belarus).
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Jewish memorial. Vilnius used to be one of the major European centers of Jewish culture prior to WW2. Sadly, no more.
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Skyline. Cathedral Bell Tower. Hanner Building (the first high-rise building built in Vilnius after 1990) and residential districts in the far background
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Free parking in the outskirts of the Old Town. I saw some guards giving warning tickets for parking illegally and not paying though. Seemingly the parking is not free anymore. The municipality has decided to get some easy cash
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Green Hall building which is also known as the headquarters of Barclays IT Center in Vilnius. Barclays runs four global IT centers: in UK, India, Singapore and Lithuania. If you have an online banking system with Barclay's it's very likely that the 'brains' of it are located in this building.
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Some freaky stuff
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Swedbank Building. A great job they did with the public terace. It's basically an open space made ontop of a lowrise part of the building which is open to all public at any time. They even provided some stylish colored chairs for those wishing to sit down and relax. There is also a cafe which is also open for public. In my opinion, this is the best contemporary building in Lithuania built with an excellent understanding and consideration for the surrounding area and not just chasing "square meters" or cheapness. A great example of how modern developments should be done in the future. The tarace instantly became one of the popular spots to hang out during nice and warm evenings
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Not just steel and glass but also wood
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View from the terace. Below there is a nice pedestrian walk and a cafe
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National Art Gallery. A recently reconstructed Soviet era building which was designed in the late 60's and completed in early 80's. The building is one of very few valuable pieces of contemporary architecture of those times in Lithuania and was preserved during the recent reconstruction
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Pansori

May 16th, 2010, 09:17 PM

Gelezinio Vilko (Iron Wolf) Bridge. This is the widest and busiest bridge in Vilnius accomodating 8 lanes for traffic and two pedestrian sidewalks.Opposing directions are divided by a crash barrier in the middle. The bridge is 39m-wide and 260m long, completed in 1979. The bridge is in good technical condition, however the municipality has seemingly forgotten to paint it... or at least give it a good clean
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Vilnius Gate multi-purpose complex. It fulfiled the excellent urban idea of building a high-rise above a busy 6-laned highway which was an engineering challenge, however the architecture is quite bland and boring. Still a good addition to the otherwise empty landscape of the area
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If anyone would ever wonder what this is: it's a roof of... underground garage entrance/exit
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Wood can look good in modern designs. I used to be sceptical about the use of wood in modern facade constructions but changed my mind :)
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A few more shots of the Swedbank building

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A new pedestrian walk near the Swedbank Building. Those concrete and glass figures on the right are the decorative lighting. Looks good at night
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Pansori

May 16th, 2010, 09:17 PM

Green Hall. "Green" because it employs some contemporary "green" technologies such as double-facade which helps to save energy on heating and cooling. Not sure how much of practical use it has but they surely played a good PR game with it. Barclays thinks it's cool
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The fellow driver who bought this €100K+ Panamera Turbo has forgot to buy a custom (or at least a decent one) number plate... now he's a "fag". It was parked in a busy area packed with tourists and foreigners working in Vilnius. Many of them are Brits... the conclusion is as follows: if you have shitloads of money, dedicate some of that to fucking learn English!
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"oh shiiiit, that loks so high, I'm gonna fall down!". What an idiot riding a horse on a roof
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Enjoying the sunny day. Still not warm enough. I was disappointed because even the trees didn't look like they were about to go green. And that was the end of April. I think things should be much greener (and warmer) by now. It was a very long winter this year
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"See what the glorious Motherland gave to us. Even if we're rusting". One of the four Soviet era statues on one of the Bridges over Neris River. All of them are in a rather bad condition and in a need of restoration. Quite recently Russia has offered money to restore those statues but Lithuanians refused despite being in deep shit finance-wise. Very clever. They probably won't get restored for another century before rusting to pieces.
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"The worse, the better". It kinda fits the previous picture
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Near "Akropolis", the largest shopping mall in Vilnius (and Lithuania) with 100K sq.m of shopping, eating and entertainment. It is a massive place and is hugely popular with locals and tourists offering hundreds of shops, a hypermarket, cinema, bowling, ice-rink, plenty of restaurants of all kinds and loads of other stuff. If youhave nothing better to do in the old town or if it's really bad weather outside, it's not a bad idea to visit there. There are at least other 2 massive shopping malls withing 5 minutes of driving so there are options to choose from. Hanging out in a shopping center is something Lithuanians have learned very quickly and seemingly enjoy
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Independence Square near the Parliament
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Russian Orthodox church
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Pansori

May 16th, 2010, 09:18 PM

Building on the right - a corner of the newly-built Parliament hall of the Lithuanian Parliament (Seimas) where parliamentary meetings are taking place
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Gediminas Avenue. The white building in the far distance is Vilnius Cathedral which is about 2km away
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On the right - Žvėrynas Bridge. Built in 1906 and recently restored is the oldest (and arguably the most beautiful) Bridge in Vilnius
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Parliament and Vilnius Gate in the background
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Žvėrynas bridge, Green Hall and Hanner Building
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Daytime traffic
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Gedmininas Avenue near the Parliament
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This is the end from the capital :)
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Klaipėda is next

bleetz

May 16th, 2010, 09:29 PM

Beautiful stuff, can't wait for photos from Klaipėda!

christos-greece

May 17th, 2010, 09:53 AM

Vilnius is really very nice; i will also wait for Klaipeda photos

Johnor

May 17th, 2010, 04:39 PM

Vilinius seems to be a very modern city. Was it bombed?

whatever...

May 17th, 2010, 05:02 PM

Vilinius seems to be a very modern city. Was it bombed?

I presume you're talking about the WW2? Then yes, it was, by soviet airforce and artillery in 1944, when aproximately 40% of the buildings perished.

But don't get the wrong impression - Vilnius is very much a historic city, that, despite the destruction, still has one of the larger old towns in Europe. There are plenty of threads in SCC dedicated to a more historic face of the city.

Pansori

May 18th, 2010, 12:35 AM

I think the pictures can talk better than words ;)

The Old Vilnius (not my pictures)
http://img21.imageshack.us/img21/5141/neregetalietuva162iy3.jpg

http://foto.terpe.lt/inkelti/20090724/i27_th_DSC_65611.jpg

So Vilnius is very far from being just a "mdern" city. ;)

Pansori

May 18th, 2010, 01:23 AM

After a 3-hour ride on the A1 Motorway (http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=A1%2FE85&daddr=Vilniaus+plentas&hl=en&geocode=FRT3QQMdQMZ_AQ%3BFW3bUQMdoVlDAQ&mra=mi&mrsp=1,0&sz=14&sll=55.700372,21.226444&sspn=0.031584,0.090895&ie=UTF8&ll=55.382231,22.428589&spn=2.037829,7.910156&z=8) you will hit Klaipėda, the onlly real sea-port city of Lithuania.

Klaipėda

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/02/Coat_of_arms_of_Klaipeda_(Lithuania).png

Klaipėda was a Prussian/German city until 1920's and was never part of Lithuania in the recent history prior to that..

Today Klaipėda is a nice, tidy if a little boring place.

The historic old-town suffered heavily during the wars but a large part of it survived to this day with the remaining historical street network. Such grid planning was untypical for Lithuanian cities and towns back in those days
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New buildings trying to resemble the old Germanic buildings. Not sure if this ia a good idea because the red-brick mania is all over Klaipėda. I understand the importance of keeping the city's identity and shapes but something different could be given a go as well
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On the right - an actual old German warehouse
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Restored public spaces near River Danė
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Something different... at least it's not using any red bricks
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The old warehouse looks much better though
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Memelis (Memel) is the old German name of Klaipėda
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Pansori

May 18th, 2010, 01:23 AM

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People hanging out near the riverbank
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The recently restored public space near the river
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Old with new... the new trying to look old :). That chimney must go!
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K and D Towers
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Access to the seafront. Previously the area was closed to public. Now it's open, only that there is nothing much to do, just an empty space with benches. There are massive plans for urban redevelopment of the seafront. Some works are slowly progressing but I guess it will take a few more years for anything serious to start happening. The projects are very nice though.
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Pansori

May 18th, 2010, 01:24 AM

One of the seafront projects, the Old Mill Hotel
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Europa Royale Hotel slightly off the seafront
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We were getting hungry in Klaipėda. One of us suggested to go to a Chinese place and I could not disagree because I would never miss a chance to have some Chinese food no matter where I am. Three of us got one massive portion of fried pork, three egg-fried rice and tea. It made all of us very full and costed about €15 alltogether. Not bad. Those pork pieces tasted soooo good. :)
I have never thought Chinese food could get so popular in Lithuania. just a few years ago there were merely a few Chinese restaurants in Vilnius. Today they are just about everywhere you go and I think it's really great!
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Some small-scale construction taking place at "Sea Gate" development. Eventually it will develop into a multifunctional complex of residential, retail, office and recreational facilities
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http://www.flickr.com/photos/johnas/4609482295/sizes/o/in/set-72157623943538767/

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3358/4610089428_e012d41ab1_o.jpg
http://www.flickr.com/photos/johnas/4610089428/in/set-72157623943538767/

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1309/4610100466_4dcc45fd45_o.jpg
http://www.flickr.com/photos/johnas/4610100466/sizes/o/in/set-72157623943538767/

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3347/4609490649_09313982d2_o.jpg
http://www.flickr.com/photos/johnas/4609490649/sizes/o/in/set-72157623943538767/

Still waiting its turn for restoration
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3547/4609487597_6dda4e5a74_o.jpg
http://www.flickr.com/photos/johnas/4609487597/sizes/o/in/set-72157623943538767/

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3564/4610103116_8db6c17b93_o.jpg
http://www.flickr.com/photos/johnas/4610103116/in/set-72157623943538767/

Street music
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3540/4609493085_cffd87b246_o.jpg
http://www.flickr.com/photos/johnas/4609493085/sizes/o/in/set-72157623943538767/

Pansori

May 18th, 2010, 01:24 AM

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1064/4610105102_c4640e7ee7_o.jpg
http://www.flickr.com/photos/johnas/4610105102/sizes/o/in/set-72157623943538767/

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3413/4610106638_b2a7ed4567_o.jpg
http://www.flickr.com/photos/johnas/4610106638/sizes/o/in/set-72157623943538767/

Port
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4039/4610114636_839b568efa_o.jpg
http://www.flickr.com/photos/johnas/4610114636/in/set-72157623943538767/

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1193/4610117142_000b8bde8e_o.jpg
http://www.flickr.com/photos/johnas/4610117142/sizes/o/in/set-72157623943538767/

Where River Danė reaches the Baltic Sea
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3373/4610115972_fe073020f4_o.jpg
http://www.flickr.com/photos/johnas/4610115972/sizes/o/in/set-72157623943538767/

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1360/4609511235_9c941f2166_o.jpg
http://www.flickr.com/photos/johnas/4609511235/sizes/o/in/set-72157623943538767/

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4047/4610118298_b295c7c7b3_o.jpg
http://www.flickr.com/photos/johnas/4610118298/sizes/o/in/set-72157623943538767/

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3581/4610120446_3139e6863d_o.jpg
http://www.flickr.com/photos/johnas/4610120446/sizes/o/in/set-72157623943538767/

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3370/4610121146_a440853e00_o.jpg
http://www.flickr.com/photos/johnas/4610121146/sizes/o/in/set-72157623943538767/

K-Center
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1407/4609515319_252306b9f8_o.jpg
http://www.flickr.com/photos/johnas/4609515319/sizes/o/in/set-72157623943538767/

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1019/4609517685_c69a226695_o.jpg
http://www.flickr.com/photos/johnas/4609517685/sizes/o/in/set-72157623943538767/

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1413/4610122898_44df072465_o.jpg
http://www.flickr.com/photos/johnas/4610122898/sizes/o/in/set-72157623943538767/

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1126/4610124928_52492feabf_o.jpg
http://www.flickr.com/photos/johnas/4610124928/sizes/o/in/set-72157623943538767/

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1239/4609519787_fd1e8d26a2_o.jpg
http://www.flickr.com/photos/johnas/4609519787/sizes/o/in/set-72157623943538767/

Baltic Sea near Klaipėda
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1244/4609518913_e27f587a2f_o.jpg
http://www.flickr.com/photos/johnas/4609518913/sizes/o/in/set-72157623943538767/

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4013/4610126954_3092a59606_o.jpg
http://www.flickr.com/photos/johnas/4610126954/sizes/o/in/set-72157623943538767/

And an obscure skyline photo from the A13 Klaipėda bypass highway
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v478/citygang/Road_A13E272/IMG_8478.jpg

Chadoh25

May 18th, 2010, 03:24 AM

Great photos. Are they any Germans left in Memel?

Pansori

May 18th, 2010, 04:10 AM

Great photos. Are they any Germans left in Memel?

I don't think so. Like all other cities in Lithuania it was completely reshaped during the Soviet era which included a complete re-balance of the population.

According to the surveys the ethnic composition of Klaipeda in 2007 was the following:

Lithuanians 63%
Russians 28.2%
Poles 4.8%
Belarusians 0.5%
Other 3.5%

Even if there are any Germans left from the old days they are probably completely naturalized and may not even know that.

whatever...

May 18th, 2010, 10:43 AM

Great photos. Are they any Germans left in Memel?

Despite the region belonging to various german states since 13th century, it has always maintained an ethnic Baltic majority.

To answer you question - yes, there are a few of them left. There is a german/memellandish community in Klaipeda.

Johnor

May 18th, 2010, 11:02 AM

Thank you for informing me...seems to be a very beautiful city. I should one day take a tour of the baltic states....

I think the pictures can talk better than words ;)

The Old Vilnius (not my pictures)
http://img21.imageshack.us/img21/5141/neregetalietuva162iy3.jpg

http://foto.terpe.lt/inkelti/20090724/i27_th_DSC_65611.jpg

So Vilnius is very far from being just a "mdern" city. ;)

bleetz

May 18th, 2010, 04:42 PM

Great photos. Are they any Germans left in Memel?

There are lots of German tourists around Memel/Klaipeda, especially in summer months in places in Curonian Spit (Nida/Nidden, etc.).

vilniusguide

October 8th, 2011, 01:37 PM

"The worse, the better". It kinda fits the previous picture
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1011/4610181928_a4e6d25a53_o.jpg
http://www.flickr.com/photos/johnas/4610181928/sizes/o/in/set-72157623943538767/

An extraction from the lyrics of one lithuanian band, active in the 80s and 90s.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iHpEe2kEX5A :banana:

iHpEe2kEX5A

In 1988, during the tour Germany, they shared the stage with these guys http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_4MKBCU6n6T8/TFYhdZ9uTZI/AAAAAAAACf0/cImR13mqFqM/s1600/NirvanaSliverposter.JPG :nuts:

Benonie

October 9th, 2011, 11:40 AM

Lithuania! Brings back fantastic memories. Well done Pansori, very nice pictures.

vilniusguide

November 21st, 2011, 12:26 AM

Klaipėda- the most progressive city of Lithuania!
http://img207.imageshack.us/img207/8734/918n.jpg

Probably the richest one.
http://img696.imageshack.us/img696/7643/692ni.jpg

And one of the oldest.
http://img820.imageshack.us/img820/8788/050nu.jpg

:)

Pansori

November 21st, 2011, 06:19 AM

Lol. Actually the first two statements are far from truth ;). Still Klaipeda is a nice city.

Linguine

November 21st, 2011, 08:18 AM

Nice updates.....more please.:)

vilniusguide

November 21st, 2011, 05:53 PM

Lol. Actually the first two statements are far from truth ;). Still Klaipeda is a nice city.

Lol, prove otherwise :lol:
What city is more progressive than Klaipėda- Tauragė, Vilnius? :lol: :ohno:
Yeah, right, Vilnius.
You should know these examples: http://g.diena.lt/00/18/724f20.jpg (Moses or Odysseus were faster),
http://www.15min.lt/naujiena/miestas/vilnius/laivyba-neryje-nuplauke-41-8529,
http://www.shortnews.com/start.cfm?id=88001,
http://live.vz.lt/?PublicationId=89278cbc-a1bb-494e-afe3-0774bd8056e7 (corrupt and making stupid decisions= progressive?),
http://www.baltic-course.com/eng/finances/?doc=40475,
http://www.vilnius.lt/bplanas/files/files/file_262 (also very progressive.. not), et cetera :)

And what city is richer than Klaipėda? Talking about money, industry and infrastructure, export not cultural treasures. Hmm, maybe only Telšiai :)

Sorry for getting irritaded about your "lol" :lol:
I am vilnian myself, but Klaipėda is just more progressive and richer (althought almost four times smaller hence of a smaller scale).

Pansori

November 21st, 2011, 06:47 PM

Lol, prove otherwise :lol:
What city is more progressive than Klaipėda- Tauragė, Vilnius? :lol: :ohno:
Yeah, right, Vilnius.
You should know these examples: http://g.diena.lt/00/18/724f20.jpg (Moses or Odysseus were faster),
http://www.15min.lt/naujiena/miestas/vilnius/laivyba-neryje-nuplauke-41-8529,
http://www.shortnews.com/start.cfm?id=88001,
http://live.vz.lt/?PublicationId=89278cbc-a1bb-494e-afe3-0774bd8056e7 (corrupt and making stupid decisions= progressive?),
http://www.baltic-course.com/eng/finances/?doc=40475,
http://www.vilnius.lt/bplanas/files/files/file_262 (also very progressive.. not), et cetera :)

And what city is richer than Klaipėda? Talking about money, industry and infrastructure, export not cultural treasures. Hmm, maybe only Telšiai :)

Sorry for getting irritaded about your "lol" :lol:
I am vilnian myself, but Klaipėda is just more progressive and richer (althought almost four times smaller hence of a smaller scale).

Knowing both cities more than adequately I politely disagree. Also wealth is usually measured in terms of GDP per capita and/or incomes. I'll try to dig those numbers once I'll get home later tonight.

aarhusforever

November 21st, 2011, 06:57 PM

Very interesting and beautiful photos :) Thanks for sharing :cheers:

vilniusguide

November 21st, 2011, 09:13 PM

Vilnius has probably the most fabulous mayor in Europe, but all his electric bikes, that is not useful for vilnians as a means of moving in the city centre, touch screen at just one bus stop with closed toilet and other tricky stuff is pure "pakazucha" :)
As for GDP and budget:
Klaipėdos uostas - patikimas uostas

SVARBUS
Tiesiogiai su Klaipėdos uosto veikla yra susiję daugiau kaip 800 įmonių, sukuriama per 23 tūkst. darbo vietų bei 4,5 proc. viso Lietuvoje sukuriamo BVP. Dėl aktyvios uosto veiklos sukuriama apie 185 tūkst. indukuotų darbo vietų. Klaipėdos uostas tiesiogiai ir netiesiogiai yra susijęs su 18 proc. viso Lietuvoje sukuriamo BVP.
http://www.portofklaipeda.lt/lt.php/klaipedos_uostas/apie_uosta/uosto_pristatymas/7672

http://www.ve.lt/naujienos/ekonomika/ekonomikos-naujienos/klaipedos-pinigai-optimizmas-neblesta-491268/

ahead of Kaunas even in absolute figures. :nuts:
http://www.veidas.lt/klaipedos-stiprybe-–-juru-uostas

As I see the situation:
E-ticket Klaipėda +1
Bike infrastructure Klaipėda +1
Adequate, well maintained street network Klaipėda +1
Maintenance of parks and greenery Klaipėda +1
Navigation. Neris VS Danė Klaipėda +1
Use of geothermal, sun, wind energy Klaipėda +1
Aesthetics Klaipėda +1
Just look how Klaipėda welcomes tourists
:lovethem::happy:
http://www.whattodo.lt/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/stotis.jpg

and how Vilnius
http://www.vilnius1.com/i/autobusustotis.jpg Welcome to Ulaanbaatar, European capital of culture and aesthetics :puke: :ohno:
http://www.vilnius1.com/i/gelezinkeliostotis.jpg

Stupid restrictions for modern development Vilnius +1
Quality new quarters, not neo-commieblocks (Perkūnkiemis, Linksmasis,.. :X) Klaipėda+1
etc.

I will wait for your arguments. I am enough liberal to change my mind ;)

P.S. I know both cities too. I am vilnian and my gf is from Klaipėda :lol: :banana:

Neo-gothic post-office building- true masterpiece :cheers:

http://img41.imageshack.us/img41/6250/klaipeda11.jpg

http://img100.imageshack.us/img100/9806/klaipeda2.jpg

http://img838.imageshack.us/img838/9099/klaipeda3.jpg

http://img838.imageshack.us/img838/7963/klaipeda4.jpg

http://img507.imageshack.us/img507/3185/klaipeda5.jpg

http://img265.imageshack.us/img265/8134/klaipeda6.jpg

http://img52.imageshack.us/img52/3705/klaipeda7.jpg

http://img705.imageshack.us/img705/2562/klaipeda8.jpg

http://img834.imageshack.us/img834/2802/klaipeda9.jpg

http://img341.imageshack.us/img341/8342/klaipeda10.jpg

http://img854.imageshack.us/img854/6250/klaipeda11.jpg

Pansori

November 21st, 2011, 09:55 PM

As for GDP and budget:

http://www.portofklaipeda.lt/lt.php/klaipedos_uostas/apie_uosta/uosto_pristatymas/7672

http://www.ve.lt/naujienos/ekonomika/ekonomikos-naujienos/klaipedos-pinigai-optimizmas-neblesta-491268/

What? Do you even know what GDP is? :lol:

Anyway...

FDI in 2010

Vilnius: ~6 bn. EUR (~11 000 EUR per capita)
Klaipėda: 686 mln. EUR (6900 EUR per capita)

GDP in 2009 (compared to national average)

Klaipeda region: ~95%
Vilnius region: ~153%

Average salary in 2011 Q3

Klaipėda: ~610 EUR
Vilnius: ~683 EUR

etc.

Then about being progressive:

IT use among 16-74 yo in 2011
Klaipėda region: 67.1%
Vilnius region: 70.9%

Households having a computer at home in 2011

Klaipėda: 60.3%
Vilnius: 64%

Access to internet at home in households in 2011

Klaipėda region: 58.9%
Vilnius region: 65%

Expenditures for scientific research in 2011

Klaipėda: ~7.6 mln. EUR
Vilnius: ~81mln. EUR

etc.
Source: http://www.stat.gov.lt/en/

So yeah, Klaipėda is more rich and progressive my ass :lol:

vilniusguide

November 22nd, 2011, 01:51 AM

What? Do you even know what GDP is? :lol:

Anyway...

FDI in 2010

Vilnius: ~6 bn. EUR (~11 000 EUR per capita)
Klaipėda: 686 mln. EUR (6900 EUR per capita)

GDP in 2009 (compared to national average)

Klaipeda region: ~95%
Vilnius region: ~153%

Average salary in 2011 Q3

Klaipėda: ~610 EUR
Vilnius: ~683 EUR

etc.

Then about being progressive:

IT use among 16-74 yo in 2011
Klaipėda region: 67.1%
Vilnius region: 70.9%

Households having a computer at home in 2011

Klaipėda: 60.3%
Vilnius: 64%

Access to internet at home in households in 2011

Klaipėda region: 58.9%
Vilnius region: 65%

Expenditures for scientific research in 2011

Klaipėda: ~7.6 mln. EUR
Vilnius: ~81mln. EUR

etc.
Source: http://www.stat.gov.lt/en/

So yeah, Klaipėda is more rich and progressive my ass :lol:

So, GDP of Vilnius is bigger (now I see, no need to object facts), but Klaipėda is ahead with less money. How to explain it?

And what about budget and debts? http://live.vz.lt/?PublicationId=43f5dc3d-d516-421d-b778-41b3cb478eef
City budget. LTL per capita:
Kaunas 2.008
Klaipėda 1.920
Vilnius 1.870

But ok, Vilnius receives more foreign direct investments, so maybe i was wrong about the welth. but I was dubious. :)

Now other figures. Emm, wait a minute, per what capita? :lol:
You know, official figures say, Vilnius has 539 000 inhabitants and theese percents are based on them, but then explain me this thingie: http://www.vilniaustlk.lt/index.php?id=547
Iš viso: 610.300
http://www.vilniaustlk.lt/index.php?id=548

Skaičiai ir faktai
[...]2004 m. prisirašiusiųjų prie PSPĮ buvo 13 tūkst. daugiau, 2005 m. – 24 tūkst. daugiau, 2006 m. – 38 tūkst. daugiau, o šių metų sausio 1 d. – jau 58 tūkst. daugiau. Visos Lietuvos mastu šis neatitikimas siekia 72 tūkst. gyventojų.
Statistinis gyventojų skaičius atsiranda po visuotinio gyventojų surašymo. Vėliau duomenys koreguojami, registruojant gimimus ir mirtis, taip pat savanorišką gyvenamosios vietos deklaravimą. Paskutinysis visuotinis gyventojų surašymas vyko 2001 m. Per pastaruosius aštuonerius metus į didmiesčius ir ypač į Vilnių iš visų šalies regionų suvažiavo dešimtys tūkstančių žmonių. Prisirašiusiųjų Vilniaus poliklinikose ir šeimos sveikatos centruose jau dešimtys tūkstančių, o kaip statistiniai gyventojai jie „tebegyvena“ savo miestuose ir miesteliuose.
[...]Jei tiksliai įvertintume visos Lietuvos duomenis, naujai perskaičiuotos PSDF lėšos Vilniaus TLK padidėtų 14,2 mln., Kauno TLK – 4, 8 mln., Klaipėdos TLK – 346 tūkst., tačiau Šiaulių TLK sumažėtų 6,5 mln., o Panevėžio TLK – net 12,8.
http://www.bernardinai.lt/archyvas/straipsnis/91273
So, I believe, we should rethink some of these figures in favor of Klaipėda and,
You know, computer isn't the only thing, that makes townsman progressive. What about green energy, developed network for ecological transport, well maintained parks, no traffic jams and sufficient infrastructure, more liberal policy (less bureaucracy) for development and all achieved with less expenditures and with no debt?
:banana:

But that nevermind, for me let Klaipėda be ones ass, now back to photos :lol:
Neo-gothic university (former german military buildings):

http://img851.imageshack.us/img851/3051/klaipeda12.jpg

http://img38.imageshack.us/img38/6467/klaipeda13.jpg

http://img268.imageshack.us/img268/5746/klaipeda14.jpg

Shadowsplay

http://img696.imageshack.us/img696/7652/klaipeda15.jpg

http://img834.imageshack.us/img834/4503/klaipeda16.jpg

Unfortunately, don't have more photos of this complex, but it can be found in Google Images: http://www.google.lt/search?tbm=isch&hl=en&source=hp&biw=1118&bih=741&q=klaip%C4%97dos+universitetas&gbv=2&aq=f&aqi=g-S1&aql=&oq= Reaaaly nice campus, I believe, only the campus of Vilnius university is better :cheers:

And school, built in the 30s nearby
http://img502.imageshack.us/img502/1377/klaipeda17.jpg

http://img208.imageshack.us/img208/7020/klaipeda18.jpg

Varsben

November 22nd, 2011, 02:00 PM

"The almighty God will save you from all kinds of shit and if he won't then that's what you deserve", says the holy statue on the top of the Cathedral of Vilnius... just make sure you leave him some cash: Euros, US Dollars, Pounds Sterling and all other major currencies accepted. Oh yeah, don't forget to pray as well. Lithuania remains a largely Catholic country despite many people not being extremely strong believers. I'm thanking the almighty God that Lithuania is not as Catholic as our Southern Polish neighbours ;). The sooner we get rid of that religious Catholic mindset, the better it will be for all

It's interesting to see how some Lithuanians keep publicly (and privately) declaring their superiority over Poles. ;) No less interesting is their profound knowledge of my nation; for example, they know very well that all Poles are extremely strong (Catholic) believers. I didn't know it, despite being a Pole myself. ;) Also, it's good to know that it's God himself, who made Lithuanians less Catholic; it seems God doesn't want Lithuanians to believe in Him too strongly. ;)

Interesting pics of Vilnius btw.

Pansori

November 22nd, 2011, 08:53 PM

It's interesting to see how some Lithuanians keep publicly (and privately) declaring their superiority over Poles. ;) No less interesting is their profound knowledge of my nation; for example, they know very well that all Poles are extremely strong (Catholic) believers. I didn't know it, despite being a Pole myself. ;) Also, it's good to know that it's God himself, who made Lithuanians less Catholic; it seems God doesn't want Lithuanians to believe in Him too strongly. ;)

Interesting pics of Vilnius btw.

Please, don't take it very seriously. I added the smiley face for a reason. ;)

Although Poland probably is more Catholic and more religious than any of its neighbor countries including Lithuania.

Ismat Chan

November 22nd, 2011, 10:29 PM

And who cares about Lithuania? :dunno: It's Saisonstaat after all.

Iluminat

November 23rd, 2011, 02:46 AM

Only Poland is important country, influential :yes::yes:

vilniusguide

November 23rd, 2011, 04:07 AM

And who cares about Lithuania? :dunno: It's Saisonstaat after all.

True, only almighty Masovia and Little Poland with their everlasting identity, purely own traditions and huge inner potential (remember true polish men and source of inspiration for centuries like Jagiello, Radziwill, Pliater, Mickiewicz and his inexhaustible "Polsko, Ojczyzno moja", Giedroyc, Pilsudski, Narutowicz, Milosz- who??? nevermind, no one cares anyway) will survive on the maps after all :lol:
It just can't vanish with its own patriots and pure polish spiritual, cultural and political leaders after all, lol. :lol:
And don't forget to mention, that because of it's Saisonstaatity, Lithuwhat? desperately needs tabeleczki "Wilno", "Kowaliszki", "Pikieliszki", "Szetejnie" i rzeczywiście "Klojpeda" :poke:

Ok, enough irony about that trolling, why we need this crap here anyway... now back to photos.

Bike city.
http://g.diena.lt/00/82/487b2f.jpg

Modern dwelling:
http://img11.imageshack.us/img11/5772/klaipeda20.jpg

http://img542.imageshack.us/img542/6645/klaipeda22.jpg

34- storey highrise- not bad for a city of 180 000!

http://img97.imageshack.us/img97/9287/klaipeda21.jpg

Modern office buildings in the centre.
http://img600.imageshack.us/img600/5459/klaipeda23.jpg

http://img341.imageshack.us/img341/1740/klaipeda24.jpg

Sea horses.
http://img27.imageshack.us/img27/8724/klaipedaseahorses.jpg

Nice means of transportation.
http://img339.imageshack.us/img339/2964/klaipeda25.jpg

Only less than 10 percent of lithuanians live in 30 km proximity to the sea, so sea is a miracle for every lithuanian from the continental part. Also Lithuania has only ~30 km of the seashore on the continent, the other, bigger part- on the Curonian spit, where severe restrictions are passed, that's why the space between Palanga and Klaipeda is built-up area and Palanga is visited by more than million people annualy. :nocrook:
http://img810.imageshack.us/img810/6069/klaipeda26.jpg

Traffic.
http://img847.imageshack.us/img847/2097/klaipeda27.jpg

http://img831.imageshack.us/img831/4469/klaipeda28.jpg

Quiet corner further from the centre.
http://img198.imageshack.us/img198/948/klaipedaquiet.jpg

rychlik

November 23rd, 2011, 04:41 AM

Please, don't take it very seriously. I added the smiley face for a reason. ;)

Although Poland probably is more Catholic and more religious than any of its neighbor countries including Lithuania.

Do you have a problem with the Catholic religion? Historically Europe is a Christian continent and right now a little more Christianity would not hurt Europe. I suppose Europe should turn into an Atheist- Jewish-Muslim playground? That would be ok, right? But being a Catholic is not ok. Trust me, with the way the rest of Europe is heading, the Catholic church is the least of your worries.

vilniusguide

November 23rd, 2011, 06:05 AM

http://t3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSOtUDaFccKiwMFU1My6vlPov7uSZpN8snGdmQitPHAMrXWESxB3L5ZnuwH

http://www.travel.lt/turizmas/selectPage.do?docLocator=E4BEA70FC86611DA8602746164617373&inlanguage=en

http://www.bicycle.lt/seasideroute/

Lithuanian Seaside Cycle Route running through the captivating nature and impressive history of the past centuries, will definitely light up your adventurous spirit! A more than 200-kilometre length cycle route extends along three bodies of water - the Baltic Sea, the Curonian Lagoon and the Nemunas River. The highly developed route connects a variety of attraction sites at the Baltic seashore and the Curonian Lagoon.

The Lithuanian Seaside Cycle Route consists of three different parts meeting in Klaipeda:
Klaipeda - Nida (~ 50 km / 30 miles along the Curonian Spit)
Klaipeda - Butinge (~ 50 km / 30 miles through the Seaside Regional Park and Palanga Resort);
Klaipeda - Rusne Island (~ 110 km / 70 miles through the Nemunas River Delta).

http://www.mytrips.lt/files/2011/08/10/routes_img/img_869.jpg

http://www.mytrips.lt/files/2011/08/10/routes_img/img_853.jpg

http://www.mytrips.lt/files/2011/08/10/routes_img/img_871.jpg

http://www.mytrips.lt/files/2011/08/10/routes_img/img_870.jpg

http://www.mytrips.lt/Marsrutai/Pajurio-dviraciu-trasa-Klaipeda-Palanga/278

Vilnius my ass. :lol:

Pansori

November 23rd, 2011, 07:03 AM

Do you have a problem with the Catholic religion? Historically Europe is a Christian continent and right now a little more Christianity would not hurt Europe. I suppose Europe should turn into an Atheist- Jewish-Muslim playground? That would be ok, right? But being a Catholic is not ok. Trust me, with the way the rest of Europe is heading, the Catholic church is the least of your worries.

Sorry I just enjoy making fun of religions as I do of everything else. Catholics are not exclusive here. Jewish and Muslims get a fair amount of mocking from me too ;)

P.S I'm Catholic myself.

Marimeko

November 24th, 2011, 01:28 AM

Vilnius is a nice Polish city

vilniusguide

November 24th, 2011, 04:08 AM

Vilnius is a nice Polish city

Warszawa is a nice russian city :)

vilniusguide

November 27th, 2011, 10:48 AM

Klaipėda. Quiet corners.
http://img525.imageshack.us/img525/4273/klaipeda38.jpg

http://img51.imageshack.us/img51/5300/klaipeda46.jpg

http://img710.imageshack.us/img710/9224/klaipeda56.jpg

http://img197.imageshack.us/img197/3983/klaipeda55.jpg

http://img85.imageshack.us/img85/7548/klaipeda08.jpg

http://img528.imageshack.us/img528/6767/klaipeda09.jpg

Traditional for this region red brick buildings.
http://img443.imageshack.us/img443/1377/klaipeda17.jpg

http://img573.imageshack.us/img573/6579/klaipeda01.jpg

Also traditional timber-framed (Fachwerk) building
http://img838.imageshack.us/img838/7019/klaipeda66.jpg

http://img214.imageshack.us/img214/2218/klaipeda65.jpg

House probably built by some rich merchant.
http://img7.imageshack.us/img7/8020/klaipeda64.jpg

vilniusguide

November 27th, 2011, 10:49 AM

http://img689.imageshack.us/img689/1797/klaipeda53.jpg

There are not a lot of museums or galleries in this city, but they are really interesting and special, worth- visiting.

For example, this museum of clocks has a lot of interesting mechanisms, different clocks and kind of clocks, depicting history of clockmaking.
http://img194.imageshack.us/img194/5229/klaipeda03.jpg

http://img607.imageshack.us/img607/5139/klaipeda02.jpg

Also there are museum of metalsmithery nearby where you can not only examine metals works and to find out interesting things from the history of
this profession, but even observe the process of making metal objects.

You also can visit e.g. Pranas Domšaitis gallery.
Nice paintings.
http://t3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:A...gnajmYsNwGtwQ2
It is a good practice, when works of those lithuanian geniuses, who had to emigrate because of wars, Holocausts, etc., finally return home. Arbit Blat's, Mačiūnas', Mekas', Varnelis', Kasiulis',.. legacy is exhibited at galleries in Lithuanian cities. It is also Domšaitis' case.

Some culture centre.
http://img716.imageshack.us/img716/1844/klaipeda67.jpg

And yet another art gallery.
http://img828.imageshack.us/img828/7381/klaipeda68.jpg

In an old timber-framed warehouse. :cheers:
http://img838.imageshack.us/img838/6471/klaipeda57.jpg

vilniusguide

November 27th, 2011, 10:51 AM

But the biggest atraction in Klaipėda and one of the most interesting museums in the whole region is Lithuanian sea museum, Dolphinarium and Aquarium, visited by more than 400 000 people annually.

It houses old german military forts and bastion on the Curonian spit.
Also this fortification buildings were enlarged by adding some new additions when museum was found in the 80s. Now some of the buildings are on reconstruction.
Museum is There:
http://img545.imageshack.us/img545/1730/klaipeda48.jpg

You can get there by this means of "public transport" :nuts: :
http://img12.imageshack.us/img12/6546/klaipeda47.jpg

:banana:

Once there were electric tramways in the city... But in the 30s buses were more modern form of public transportation and trams were closed in favor of this:
http://img411.imageshack.us/img411/3208/klaipeda45.jpg

But the city is thinking of reintroducing of tramway network. :)

vilniusguide

November 27th, 2011, 10:52 AM

This museum is also interesting.
It tells the history of this region.

http://img844.imageshack.us/img844/8395/klaipeda63.jpg
Also one of the oldest surviving buildins in Klaipėda.

Unfortunately, only 1/3 of the buildings survived Second World War and Communism. Almost all churches were torn down in the 50s :bash:
http://img406.imageshack.us/img406/7020/klaipeda18.jpg

Talking about history, I believe, this picture represents Klaipėda the best: modern lithuanian shop, old german inscription and the street, supervised by Matryoshka doll :)

http://img41.imageshack.us/img41/707/klaipeda58.jpg

vilniusguide

November 28th, 2011, 12:07 AM

Nice church and ugly building from soviet times. Both were built in the 60s. This church was designed during interwar period by lithuanian architect, but was illegaly built (nb!) during soviet times. This angered authorities: the building was made concert hall and the priest was imprisoned.

http://img847.imageshack.us/img847/9254/klaipeda61.jpg

Once tens of towers of the churches dominated the skyline, but in soviet times, the churches were demolished and chimneys of the factories, built in the suburbs, became major dominants of the panoramas :ohno:

http://img18.imageshack.us/img18/561/klaipeda36.jpg

After the Independence, towers of some new churches, and tens of new highrises improved the view significantly. There are some plans to rebuild churches in the Old Town.

http://img440.imageshack.us/img440/4777/klaipeda41.jpg

http://img197.imageshack.us/img197/5219/klaipeda34.jpg

vilniusguide

November 28th, 2011, 12:21 AM

About 1/4 of Klaipėda inhabitants are Orthodox as there are a significant number of russians, belarussians and ukrainians in the city.
Lithuanians 71.3 %, russians 21,3 %, ukrainians 2,4 %, belarussians 1,9 %, polish 0,4 %, others 1,2 % (2001).

Odd-looking Orthodox church :)

http://img507.imageshack.us/img507/5746/klaipeda14.jpg

http://img14.imageshack.us/img14/7652/klaipeda15.jpg

http://img208.imageshack.us/img208/4503/klaipeda16.jpg

There are more Orthodox churches with more standard exteriors in the South part of the city.

Tartars are thinking of a mosque in Klaipėda.

vilniusguide

November 28th, 2011, 05:21 AM

Another church and another twentysomething-storey building.
http://img12.imageshack.us/img12/812/klaipeda49.jpg[/URL]

:bowtie:
http://img208.imageshack.us/img208/7944/klaipeda35.jpg

Nice mid-rises.
http://img683.imageshack.us/img683/4148/klaipeda42.jpg

Modern building with grass on the roof.
http://img259.imageshack.us/img259/2053/klaipeda31.jpg

Ecological, clean energy.
http://img97.imageshack.us/img97/4105/klaipeda33.jpg

Old quarters. After the Independence, experimental geothermal plant (http://www.geoterma.lt/?lang=2) near Klaipėda was built and part of Klaipėda as these buildings is heated from that ecological source.

http://img560.imageshack.us/img560/2010/klaipeda29.jpg

vilniusguide

November 28th, 2011, 05:34 AM

Another modern building.

http://img266.imageshack.us/img266/6945/klaipeda60.jpg

Ultramodern toilet. Guess why :D

http://img402.imageshack.us/img402/1140/klaipeda51.jpg

vilniusguide

November 28th, 2011, 05:45 AM

Nineteen, twenty, twenty one, twenty two, twenty five, twenty two, twenty, twenty one, twenty five, twenty eight, thirty four,...
http://img440.imageshack.us/img440/2271/klaipeda50.jpg

Klaipėda is becoming Lithuanian Chicago or Hong Kong. ;)

vilniusguide

November 28th, 2011, 05:51 AM

Oddities.
:shifty:
http://img690.imageshack.us/img690/6250/klaipeda11.jpg

http://img442.imageshack.us/img442/3051/klaipeda12.jpg

vilniusguide

November 28th, 2011, 06:09 AM

http://img694.imageshack.us/img694/5492/klaipeda37.jpg

Old town. The building on the left was built more than 100 years ago and it's construction is the same like of the first skyscrapers although initially it was designed much bigger. :)

http://img33.imageshack.us/img33/6645/klaipeda22.jpg

Waterfront.
http://img268.imageshack.us/img268/5772/klaipeda20.jpg

Rebuilding of the opera theatre's soviet addition on the right. This is where infamous Hitler spoke for the masses :bash::ohno:

http://img819.imageshack.us/img819/9287/klaipeda21.jpg

vilniusguide

November 28th, 2011, 06:54 AM

Rebuilt Simon Dach (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Simon_Dach) monument. :angel1:

http://img39.imageshack.us/img39/5931/klaipeda102.jpg

Theater- the oldest in Lithuania.

http://img85.imageshack.us/img85/4523/klaipeda100.jpg

Square.

http://img204.imageshack.us/img204/8830/klaipeda101.jpg

vilniusguide

November 28th, 2011, 06:58 AM

Shipbuilders.
http://img97.imageshack.us/img97/2206/klaipeda103.jpg

http://img851.imageshack.us/img851/3838/klaipeda104.jpg

http://img600.imageshack.us/img600/4628/klaipeda106.jpg

http://img266.imageshack.us/img266/9202/klaipeda105.jpg

vilniusguide

November 28th, 2011, 07:16 AM

http://img189.imageshack.us/img189/2244/klaipeda19.jpg

http://img140.imageshack.us/img140/3142/klaipeda59.jpg

To be honest, Old town of Klaipėda is not that interesting. I liked the other part of the river more. Manto, Liepų, Daukanto streets were the most interesting for me.

http://img72.imageshack.us/img72/6467/klaipeda13.jpg

http://img404.imageshack.us/img404/4302/klaipeda04.jpg

Unfortunately I ussualy don't have spare time while in Klaipėda to make photos of these nice districts further from the Old town.

vilniusguide

November 28th, 2011, 07:27 AM

This part of the city is the most interesting for me. :bow:

http://img267.imageshack.us/img267/1740/klaipeda24.jpg

http://img268.imageshack.us/img268/6069/klaipeda26.jpg

http://img835.imageshack.us/img835/2097/klaipeda27.jpg

New bridge with heated pavements :rock:

http://img266.imageshack.us/img266/5229/klaipeda30.jpg

Natural border of the city. In that park most klaipedians spend their recreational time.

http://img836.imageshack.us/img836/6489/klaipeda39.jpg

http://img69.imageshack.us/img69/9612/klaipeda40.jpg

vilniusguide

November 28th, 2011, 07:38 AM

Northernmost part of Curonian Spit is also used for recreational needs of klaipedians.

http://img844.imageshack.us/img844/5982/klaipeda07.jpg

http://img84.imageshack.us/img84/4469/klaipeda28.jpg

http://img821.imageshack.us/img821/262/klaipeda43.jpg

But the city itself is also like a quiet health resort. :hug:
http://img706.imageshack.us/img706/3624/klaipeda32.jpg

vilniusguide

November 28th, 2011, 07:43 AM

Pig's Back island- the place where the gas terminal will be built. :P
http://img221.imageshack.us/img221/617/klaipeda06a.jpg

And this is where belarussians spend their money :D
http://img845.imageshack.us/img845/4922/klaipeda44.jpg

vilniusguide

November 28th, 2011, 07:54 AM

Some cool clubs, wine-cellars and restaurants are located in this part of the city http://img835.imageshack.us/img835/2167/klaipeda52.jpg

Unfortunately huuuge "Akropolis" with tens of restaurants, hunderd of shops, cinemas, ice rink together with other huge malls outrivaled most of the shops
in the city centre...

Heimatstil, Jugendstil is something what lithuanian can see only in Klaipėda region or abroad.
http://img6.imageshack.us/img6/4445/klaipeda54.jpg

:wave:
http://img560.imageshack.us/img560/8484/klaipeda62.jpg

RonnieR

November 28th, 2011, 08:23 AM

Beautiful. Awesome.

Pansori

November 28th, 2011, 06:14 PM

I have to say your photos are very interesting indeed, Vilniusguide. Please keep it on if you have more.

vilniusguide

December 6th, 2011, 11:43 PM

I have to say your photos are very interesting indeed, Vilniusguide. Please keep it on if you have more.

No more Klaipėda, only Wil... Vilnius :|
Here are some:
http://img829.imageshack.us/img829/290/vilnius3.jpg

http://img829.imageshack.us/img829/5958/vilnius1.jpg

If you are coming to San Fran... to Vilnius, be sure to wear some flowers in your hair
http://img713.imageshack.us/img713/5929/94715173.jpg

vilniusguide

December 7th, 2011, 01:37 AM

Gimme fuel, gimme fire,
http://img560.imageshack.us/img560/4690/vilnius4.jpg

http://img841.imageshack.us/img841/4794/vilnius6.jpg

http://img824.imageshack.us/img824/5163/vilnius5.jpg

I want to ride my bicycle. I want to ride my bike.
http://img840.imageshack.us/img840/9000/vilnius7.jpg

http://img853.imageshack.us/img853/1280/vilnius8.jpg
:)

Totu

December 7th, 2011, 01:57 AM

Oh! I love it!

Rapter

December 7th, 2011, 02:15 AM

Awesome pictures Vilniusguide :applause: keep'em coming :okay:

vilniusguide

December 8th, 2011, 11:58 PM

Rush hour in the city centre.

http://img696.imageshack.us/img696/8876/026zd.jpg

http://img221.imageshack.us/img221/4686/027liox.jpg

http://img214.imageshack.us/img214/6800/028kpt.jpg

http://img526.imageshack.us/img526/534/029jy.jpg

http://img3.imageshack.us/img3/2824/030knv.jpg

http://img17.imageshack.us/img17/6057/031zhr.jpg

http://img844.imageshack.us/img844/4968/032rv.jpg

http://img46.imageshack.us/img46/8996/033cub.jpg

http://img525.imageshack.us/img525/7963/034svn.jpg

http://img843.imageshack.us/img843/4452/024ai.jpg

http://img855.imageshack.us/img855/697/035jc.jpg

:popcorn:

vilniusguide

December 9th, 2011, 12:12 AM

If You think Vilnius is only about baroque, You are wronghttp://img443.imageshack.us/img443/1165/001txadw.jpg

http://img265.imageshack.us/img265/633/003mf.jpg

http://img835.imageshack.us/img835/8017/004ml.jpg

http://img163.imageshack.us/img163/2618/560cg.jpg

http://img683.imageshack.us/img683/8610/091fj.jpg

Huge quarters of 19th- early 20th century architecture is all around the old town!

vilniusguide

December 9th, 2011, 12:15 AM

This is how they look like ;)

http://img651.imageshack.us/img651/3079/019vbg.jpg

http://img717.imageshack.us/img717/2299/018zda.jpg

http://img256.imageshack.us/img256/1461/017yzk.jpg

http://img511.imageshack.us/img511/7640/021xl.jpg

vilniusguide

December 9th, 2011, 12:16 AM

:|

http://img37.imageshack.us/img37/7594/020cf.jpg

http://img442.imageshack.us/img442/2682/043ozv.jpg

http://img408.imageshack.us/img408/9233/044tv.jpg

http://img684.imageshack.us/img684/6140/045jlw.jpg

http://img411.imageshack.us/img411/9896/046ep.jpg

http://img841.imageshack.us/img841/8029/048rxz.jpg

http://img100.imageshack.us/img100/1671/049tr.jpg

vilniusguide

December 9th, 2011, 12:19 AM

http://img337.imageshack.us/img337/1695/036hd.jpg

http://img215.imageshack.us/img215/6861/039uo.jpg

Meanwhile on the roof :bash::madwife:

http://img710.imageshack.us/img710/1929/037oc.jpg

http://img600.imageshack.us/img600/7982/038qj.jpg

A closer look

http://img209.imageshack.us/img209/1371/detale2.jpg

http://img35.imageshack.us/img35/8291/detale4.jpg

http://img265.imageshack.us/img265/540/detale3.jpg

http://img253.imageshack.us/img253/3681/detale1.jpg

vilniusguide

December 9th, 2011, 12:27 AM

Early 20th century neo-gothic/neo-romanic buildings in the New Town district.

http://img338.imageshack.us/img338/179/008olz.jpg

http://img684.imageshack.us/img684/9495/007snn.jpg

http://img28.imageshack.us/img28/94/009ooz.jpg

http://img812.imageshack.us/img812/2598/011mn.jpg

http://img204.imageshack.us/img204/4835/014mgx.jpg

Nice bay window!
http://img706.imageshack.us/img706/4323/013cbt.jpg

http://img829.imageshack.us/img829/8536/012ts.jpg

http://img339.imageshack.us/img339/9738/015aq.jpg

vilniusguide

December 9th, 2011, 12:28 AM

http://img84.imageshack.us/img84/8920/096nz.jpg

:banana:

http://img834.imageshack.us/img834/8909/066pt.jpg

http://img205.imageshack.us/img205/3323/067br.jpg

http://img214.imageshack.us/img214/1850/068dmk.jpg

http://img215.imageshack.us/img215/5132/069ts.jpg

:nuts:

vilniusguide

December 9th, 2011, 12:36 AM

http://img833.imageshack.us/img833/7070/1187b.jpg

http://img546.imageshack.us/img546/1654/102qk.jpg

Or these fin de siècle Art-Nouveau buildings!!

http://img803.imageshack.us/img803/379/1220v.jpg

http://img3.imageshack.us/img3/2404/1221wd.jpg

http://img207.imageshack.us/img207/3702/1151r.jpg

http://img267.imageshack.us/img267/7383/157uof.jpg

http://img195.imageshack.us/img195/7476/156xv.jpg

http://img839.imageshack.us/img839/8270/153rx.jpg

http://img853.imageshack.us/img853/8537/154xy.jpg

http://img338.imageshack.us/img338/6977/155mw.jpg

http://img577.imageshack.us/img577/9343/158fa.jpg

http://img522.imageshack.us/img522/3081/103bz.jpg

http://img810.imageshack.us/img810/6104/105gw.jpg

http://img408.imageshack.us/img408/6761/1158f.jpg

etc.

vilniusguide

December 9th, 2011, 12:43 AM

http://img713.imageshack.us/img713/9251/1144j.jpg

http://img689.imageshack.us/img689/1980/1145y.jpg

vilniusguide

December 12th, 2011, 04:43 PM

Vilnius is not only about magnificient architecture, but also a place with quiet corners and stunning nature!
http://picthost.ru/images/32402908853637043838.jpg

Views towards the centre.

http://picthost.ru/images/72984373653542681259.jpg

http://picthost.ru/images/74179715863564400006.jpg

http://picthost.ru/images/91138268010926180522.jpg

http://picthost.ru/images/65382271426587535071.jpg

A fan of hillwalking? :)
The highest hill of Vilnius (236 m.) is located only ~3,5 km from the Cathedral square (90m) and offers great views.

http://picthost.ru/images/79260927367466068838.jpg

Hill of The Three Croses (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Three_Crosses) (165 m.).

http://picthost.ru/images/58066698179696932406.jpg

http://picthost.ru/images/57542340168152585511.jpg

http://picthost.ru/images/04378036250199064363.jpg

http://picthost.ru/images/06432654207150591031.jpg

http://picthost.ru/images/11744212588859412123.jpg

Towards the regional park.

http://picthost.ru/images/54992273459876129112.jpg

http://picthost.ru/images/73404325365206155824.jpg

http://picthost.ru/images/35149257635078576242.jpg

http://picthost.ru/images/97000753829087989564.jpg

http://picthost.ru/images/43996065973514432926.jpg

Remember, no mather in what part of Vilnius you are,
you will need no more than three steps to reach mother nature
(forest/hill/marsh/lake/huge outcrop or just another abandoned railway tunnel with EU preserved bats) :nuts:

drowningman666

December 12th, 2011, 06:14 PM

heh so you can actually go skiing in Vilnius ;)

vilniusguide

December 12th, 2011, 11:44 PM

^^ Easily ;) There are 3 or 4 skiing trases in Vilnius.
Vilnius was built in the place, where the last glacier stopped, on the border of the ice and ice-free land. Northern part of nowadays' Vilnius was covered with the ice, and southern part and further to the south-east direction- Medininkai, was not. When the glacier was retreating, the water fell down from the glacier thus making huge canyons. Vilnius' old town was established exactly in one of this canyons near Neris river, surrounded by hills up to 100m high. The flowing river deepened the valley and the hills, previously squeezed by the ice and now free from it, were growing (as scientists say, they are continuing to do so even today by some 3-4 mm a year :D).
The city was built, but now no matter where you are, hills dominate the horizon.

http://www.viv.lt/images/big/avp34.jpg
So this is really standard view in Vilnius (the lowest point-82 m.,the highest point- 236 m.),
although the highest point in Lithuania is just only some silly 295 m. ;)
http://binged.it/sGD62P
http://binged.it/vAZhmf
(it is easy to measure the height of the hill using the electric pole
as a unit of measurement :D)
http://binged.it/tnEsM0
http://binged.it/rp0Wjp
http://www.bernardinai.lt/file/ea32ab8f7d5d704bac89e31eb104367f141ef0d0_article.jpg
Lithuanian Salzburg or Grenoble you may call it :lol:

And if you are interesting in skiing, you can do it in Lithuania not only in winter, but also in summer then there are +30 outside :D
Lithuanian resort Druskininkai has built an indoor skiing complex recently, one of the best in the world. ;)
Unfortunately, Vilnius was late in this race, oh well, good for (click me)>> Druskininkai (http://www.snowarena.lt/en/apie_mus/galerija) - superb Lithuanian town! :)