Klaipėda with kids means much more than just ships and the Lithuanian Sea Museum. While these attractions are usually the first to come to mind when planning a family trip, the port city offers many more engaging discoveries. Not only can you enjoy the sea, but you can also explore the cozy old town, visit historical sites, interesting museums, peaceful parks, and stumble upon unexpected spots you might otherwise walk past. Our kids especially loved the manually operated swing bridge. At first, it may look like an ordinary bridge, but its history and unique mechanism are truly impressive.
Few people know: Klaipėda has the only manually operated swing bridge in Lithuania. This unique technical heritage site remains a valuable historical landmark and still preserves its authenticity. The manually turned metal bridge over the castle canal was built in 1855. It is the only mechanism of its kind in Lithuania. Made of riveted iron and decorated with chains, it used to be called the “Chain Bridge” (German: Kettenbrücke) until World War II.
Few people know: Klaipėda has the only manually operated swing bridge in Lithuania
What makes this bridge most interesting is its manual turning mechanism. There are no complex modern devices – people use their own strength to turn the bridge. Two people can rotate it so that ships can enter the former defensive moat of Klaipėda Castle.
It’s hard to believe, but a structure built more than 170 years ago still performs its function perfectly. This bridge is not just a museum exhibit. It still moves, opens to let ships pass, and allows visitors to see the old mechanism up close.
Next to the bridge, you’ll also find another interesting city symbol. It’s a 2.4-meter-tall bronze sculpture called “The Black Ghost,” unveiled in 2010. The legend of Caspar Hennenberg, “The Black Man from Memel,” inspired this statue and appeared in records from the end of the 16th century.
The biggest impression this bridge left was on our son Motiejus. For him, this wasn’t just another sightseeing stop. He actually got to touch history and try turning a bridge that’s over a century old with his own hands. After all, it’s not every day you can both see and feel how a real historic mechanism works. When you touch an authentic historical site, the past stops being just a story from a textbook. It becomes a true discovery that you can experience yourself.
The schedule by the bridge shows when operators turn the bridge and when pedestrians can cross it. Therefore, it’s worth checking the schedule before your visit. With a bit of luck, you might not only walk across this historic bridge, but also see it come to life.
What else can you do in Klaipėda with kids?
People often ask us what to see in Klaipėda with kids. Our answer depends on how many days you have, because one or two days are definitely not enough. Every time we visit Klaipėda, we discover something new – especially recently, as the city offers more and more interesting places to explore. So, if you’re looking for ideas for things to do in Klaipėda with kids, you’ll find our recommended and most exciting spots in the article What to see in Klaipėda with kids: a detailed family guide. Some of these places will truly surprise you. Newly opened, impressive Klaipėda Castle Tower, the interactive Sculpture Park, and many others you might not have even heard of yet.
