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Rotating Bridge

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The Klaipėda rotating bridge, formerly known as the Chain Bridge, is a unique historical bridge located in the old town of Klaipėda. Built over the castle moat, it allows recreational boats to pass through and provides pedestrian access to the Cruise Ship Terminal. The bridge was originally constructed as a wooden structure in 1809, later transformed into a lifting bridge, and in 1855, it was converted into a rotating bridge. It is the only bridge with such a mechanism in Lithuania and the Baltic States. The bridge was restored between 2008 and 2010, and in 2010, a sculpture titled "Black Ghost" was placed next to it. The bridge is notable for its unique rotation mechanism, which is operated manually. This bridge is listed in the Cultural Heritage Register and has become an important part of Klaipėda's cultural heritage.

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Architecture
Klaipėda

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The Klaipėda rotating bridge (formerly the Chain Bridge) is a unique rotating bridge located in the old town of Klaipėda, connecting the Dangė River with the Castle Harbor. The bridge was constructed over the castle moat and is an important part of the city, allowing recreational boats to pass through and providing pedestrian access to the Cruise Ship Terminal. Built with a mechanism that requires human force to rotate, this bridge is the only one of its kind in Lithuania and the Baltic States. It has become a state-protected monument of history and technology, listed in the Cultural Heritage Register in 1993. The first bridge here was wooden, built in 1809, and in 1839 it was replaced with a lifting bridge, which was later converted into a rotating bridge in 1855. The bridge was decorated with chains and was known as the Chain Bridge until World War II. From 2008 to 2010, the bridge was restored, and in 2010, a bronze sculpture titled

"Black Ghost" was installed next to it, reflecting the legend of the "Black Man from Memel." The bridge was constructed from riveted iron, with wooden planks on a steel deck and cast-iron column structures. Its length is 21.05 meters, width 4.37 meters, and height 2.67 meters. The bridge's mechanism allows the bridge's span to rotate, enabling boats to pass through. Currently, the rotation is done manually, but there are plans to install an electric rotation mechanism. The bridge often faces technical difficulties due to the expansion of metals in the summer, which can cause the rotation mechanism to jam. During reconstruction, the original oak wooden decking was restored, and the bridge continues to serve as an important part of Klaipėda's city and port. It is also a tourist attraction, particularly due to its historical and architectural heritage, as well as its unique design, which showcases the traditional rotating bridge.

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2025-11-17

Rotating Bridge

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