Description
Neringa fort is the only surviving example of the 19th century Prussian fortifications in Lithuania. In 1979, the Lithuanian Sea Museum was established in the fort and it has become the most visited museum of the country. However, the state of the fort deteriorated significantly over the years due to siltation of the moat, and the effects of dampness and salt which caused damage to the brickwork. The project is aimed at completing restoration of the fort of Neringa, while preserving this unique maritime cultural heritage object and ensuring greater public awareness and involvement in the preservation process. Over the course of the project, the defensive ditch with its embankments and other structural parts will be restored. The cleaned moat will result in improved habitat conditions for aquatic life, and offer scope for new educational activities in the area of traditional sailing. Exhibitions about the history of the fort and the Klaipėda port will be established in the restored premises of the fort. Also, in cooperation with the project partner – Stavanger Museum – a mobile exhibition presenting historical relations between the Baltic and the North Seas, Stavanger and Klaipėda ports will be created, which will foster intercultural dialogue.
Summary of project results
Neringa Fort is the best remaining example of Prussian fortification in Lithuania of the 19th century. The Lithuanian Sea Museum was established here in 1979 and since then, it became one of the most popular tourist attractions in the Baltic seaside. However, constant exposure to moisture severely damaged stonework structures of the fort, large quantities of sludge in the defensive ditch had a negative impact on the aquatic life, while the outworn quay poles posed a threat to solidity of the dam. In order to preserve this unique maritime cultural heritage object, three red masonry caponiers and a poterna were restored, the defensive ditch, its quays, bridge were cleaned and rehabilitated. The biggest challange was the cleaning of the sludge as the works had to be put on hold for several times after discovering German artillery shell casings from World War II. A total of 300 such items were moved away and neutralised. A lot of effort was put into increasing public awareness of maritime cultural heritage. New exhibition “Neringa Fort, Part of Klaipėda Sea Fortress: 1875-1888/1944-1945” was installed in the restored part presenting the history of this defensive object. In addition, a public discussion and a seminar on preservation of maritime heritage were organized. During the seminar, a group of experts were looking for the best ways to use the fort together with students from Klaipėda University. Also, a scientific research on the historic junction of the defensive ditch of the fort and the Curonian Lagoon was conducted by cultural heritage expert. The project was implemented in cooperation with a long-term partner, Stavanger Museum. Collaboration resulted not only in the co-organized events, shared experience but also a travelling interactive exhibition “Silver of the Sea, from Stavanger to Klaipėda, 1820-1870” displayed in both countries which tells about historical relations between Lithuania and Norway.
Summary of bilateral results
The project was implemented in cooperation with a long-term partner, Stavanger Museum. Collaboration resulted not only in the co-organized events, shared experience but also a travelling interactive exhibition “Silver of the Sea, from Stavanger to Klaipėda, 1820-1870” displayed in both countries which tells about historical relations between Lithuania and Norway.