The swing bridge over the Danė at Klaipėda’s Castle Harbour: history since 1855, how and when it turns, where to watch and what to see nearby.
At the Castle Harbour, where the Danė flows into the Curonian Lagoon, stands one of the most charming sights of Klaipėda Old Town: the swing bridge. Its history goes back to 1855, and it is still turned by hand to let sailing boats and yachts through.
How it works
The bridge pivots on its axis. When a boat needs to pass, the bridge keepers turn it with a manual mechanism until it lies parallel to the river. Once the boat is through, it swings back and pedestrians cross again.
Where to watch
The best view is from the Castle Harbour quay, with the castle site, the yacht marina and old warehouses around – one of the most beautiful spots in town at sunset.
What to see nearby
- Klaipėda Castle and museum – where the city began, a few steps away.
- The Black Ghost sculpture – by the water, one of the most photographed places in town.
- The Old Town and Theatre Square – a few minutes on foot.
- The cruise terminal and the ferry to Smiltynė – close by.
After the walk: dinner in the warehouses by the Danė
From the bridge it is a short walk along the Danė to Mosso at Žvejų g. 18A, in the historic 18th–19th-century Michaelson (“Venetian”) warehouses, where ships once moored right by the walls. Come for dinner or a glass of wine. Book a table.
