Palanga is a small Lithuanian seaside resort on the shores of the Baltic Sea. It is a town, having rights of city.
History and Legends
Since New Stone Age (IV - II c. BC.) the sea influences mental and material culture, trading relations with other nations of people who lived in this area.
Palanga name may be derived from the legend about fisherman houses and the wind which was covering them with sand them up to windowsill (lith. palangė).
The first mention of Palanga's name reminiscent the legendary story about landing to Palanga in 1161 of army of Danish king Valdemaras I. Only in 1253 Palanga was mentioned in chronicle of German Order. In the development of history here were a lot of conquerors. Vikings of Normans coveted these lands, and in 13th - 14th centuries a lot of time crusaders devastated it. Only after the Battle of Grunwald (in 1410) the peace contract of Meln, concluded in 1422, stopped an invasion of the Order to Lithuania and in accordance with the peace contract of Brest (in 1435-12-31 ) Palanga felt to Lithuania.
More detailed history of the city can be found in Official site or Tourism Info Center
Territory
Palanga town territory occupies 79 km². This makes 1,5 % of Klaipeda County or 0,12% of Lithuanian territory.
In Palanga town there is the only Sventoji head-office, which comprises settlements of Sventoji and Butinge .
The town borders with the Republic of Latvia, with Kretinga and Klaipeda districts and the Baltic Sea.
Foreign relations
Union of the Baltic Cities
On 1993-02-26 Palanga Town Council passed the decision to apply to the UBC for membership in this organisation. On 1993-03-02 , Bronius Martinkus, Chairman of Palanga Town Council, addressed the UBC with the request to grant admission for Palanga in the Union of the Baltic Cities .
At the meeting of the UBC Executive Board held in Kaliningrad on 6-7 June 1993, Palanga Town was admitted as a member of the UBC.
Palanga Town Council is involved in the work of the UBC Commissions on Tourism, Business Cooperation and Education.
Close Contacts
Pärnu (Estonia)
- On 1990-09-14 a quadripartite treaty for cooperation between Palanga, Pärnu, Neringa and Jūrmala municipalities. Cooperation in culture and recreation realms is pursued.
Jurmala (Latvia)
- Palanga and Jūrmala municipalities have maintained cooperation since 1990.
- On 2003-10-15 a revised cooperation treaty was signed. Palanga and Jūrmala municipalities pursue active cooperation in tourism, culture and other spheres.
Simrishamn (Sweden)
- On 1991-05-10 the mutual friendship and cooperation treaty between the councils of Simrishamn and Palanga was signed in Simrishamn.
- Cooperation includes care for the disabled, non-governmental organisations activities, culture and education.
Frederiksberg (Denmark)
- On 1993-05-27 a treaty between Palanga Town Council and Frederiksberg Town Council was signed in Frederiksberg. Under the treaty the parties undertook to support the common provision regarding agreement between the community, organisations, authorities and private businesses of both towns. The signatories pledged to promote mutually beneficial and optimal cooperation in economic and tourism fields.
Liepaja (Latvia)
- Palanga Town Municipality maintains friendly relations with Liepaja City Municipality. Cooperation covers culture and tourism spheres, experience exchange.
Lodz (Poland)
- At the forum of Lithuania and Poland municipalities held 31 March - 3 April 1998 in Poland, a treaty between the Association of Lithuanian Municipalities and organisation representing local governments of Poland was signed. Cooperation includes cultural and tourism spheres
External links
