The coastal artillery battery: Memel Nord

The coastal defence battery is a World War II-era defensive fortification on the Baltic Sea, installed after the Klaipėda region was annexed to Germany. Two coastal artillery batteries were planned to be built: one in Smiltynė near Kopgalis – ‘Memel Sud’ (south of Klaipėda), and the other outside Giruliai, in the village of Kukuliškės – ‘Memel Nord’ (north of Klaipėda). However, only the battery located in Kukuliškės was completed.

These are the only fortifications of this type in Lithuania. Initially, it was an anti-ship battery that was supposed to protect the coast from incursions from the sea. However, soon it was no longer needed, as the entire coast of the Baltic Sea belonged to the Germans and the installations were transferred to Norway. Later, the battery was transformed into an anti-aircraft gun emplacement and is used as such actively.

At the end of the Soviet era and in the first years of Lithuanian independence, the battery was used as a dwelling place by asocial persons until, in 2002, enthusiasts began to take care of the area and gradually, in 2009, a museum was installed in its northern block. In 2018, members of the Border Guards’ Club cleaned and organised the premises of the bunker in the southern block and installed an exhibition for the public there.

Memel Nord is not only a bunker but also the history of our region, which you will be acquainted with in a new, multifaceted way. You will be able to travel to the 20th century – 70 years back – to immerse yourself in history and test yourself or your friends in a peaceful reality. You will enter a period in history and have a chance to evaluate it in a completely different way than ever before.

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