On 1 August 2021, on the occasion of the 769th anniversary of Klaipėda, a new archaeological exposition called “Curtain Wall” („Kurtina“) opened its doors in the northern curtain wall of the Castle Museum (2 Priešpilio Street, Klaipėda).

The 800 square metre exposition spaces situated under the earthen rampart present Klaipėda Castle and the city from the 13th to the 18th century, while the rich archaeological material is complemented by informative historical sources. The chronological boundaries of one of the exposition halls cover the years 1252-1525, the other – from the beginning of the 16th century to the end of the 18th century.

In the hall representing the earlier period, visitors are introduced to the daily life of archaeologist’s work, special research, conservation and restoration of finds. In addition, from now on, when visiting the museum, it is possible to recall or learn more about the history of archaeological investigations of Klaipėda Castle from 1968 to 2018, to understand and appreciate the efforts made by the archaeologists A. Tautavičius, V. Žulkaus, the employees of the Klaipėda Division of the Institute of Monuments Preservation (in the period from 1974 to 1990), the efforts made by the Klaipėda City Municipality, as well as by the director of the museum, J. Genys, in order to preserve and realise the object.

The project for the reconstruction of the northern curtain wall of Klaipėda Castle (UAB Uostamiesčio projektas) took into account the 15th century cultural layer with elements of wooden buildings discovered during the excavations carried out in 2010 (by the archaeologist G. Zabiela) and exhibited in situ of 56 square metres. Fragment of the medieval city of Klaipėda, shown here, reflects the framed construction building structures: wooden plank floor, earthen floor of clay, an open brick fireplace, and wooden walls. The building was residential, with functionally distinct spaces: domestic, living, farming. In the 15th century, when reconstructions of the castle began, this and other buildings were demolished. Today, it is one of the earliest preserved fragments of the city’s history at that time.

The museologists encourage to pay attention to the preserved wood from the 14th-15th centuries – the fortification poles of the ditches, fragments of a wooden building, and to see many other interesting finds that show the everyday life of the people, the peculiarities of trade, and the warfare of that time. These include pilgrim badges, rarely found in Lithuania, over 600 fishing hooks and fishing tools, about 200 ship’s hooks, more than 200 crossbow and bow arrowheads, reflecting the Samogitians’ battles with the founders of the Order’s castle. A collection of over 30 Renaissance rings belonging to the old inhabitants of Klaipėda, as well as a silver coin-decorated tankard made in 1727 with an embossing of the coat of arms of Klaipėda, which was borrowed, based on a deposit rights, from the Trakai History Museum, should also attract the eyes of more than a few curious people.

For those looking for innovations and modern elements in tourist attractions, there is a solid bouquet of modern technologies: 12 interactive computer terminals, 11 projectors with probably the largest in Lithuania (even 15×6 m!) video projection in the premises of the museum, 8 zones with audio material, various holograms and interactive magnifying lenses, LED screens, etc. for viewing the smallest exhibits.