Curonian Spit

The Curonian Spit is a 98 km long, thin, curved sand dune peninsula that separates the Curonian Lagoon from the Baltic Sea. It has been made a WHS because of the human efforts since prehistoric times which have prevented the erosion of the Spit.

Year	Decision	Comments
2000	Inscribed	Reasons for inscription

Reviews

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I went to the Curonian Spit as a diversion whilst backpacking through the Baltic states. I went there on a whim, yet it became one of my favourite places. Once the ferry lands, it suddenly seems like you are in another world. I grew up in Perth, Australia, and I was visiting Lithuania in July. The beach near the tip of the spit on that sunny day reminded me of a beach on Rottnest Island - normally an entirely different world from that of Northern Europe!
The general feeling that I felt while I was travelling the Curonian Spit was a sort of remote feeling, like it was a scene from the Tarkovsky film 'Mirror' when he is at his childhood home in the forest.
I loved it there and I can recommend it to anyone.

Christer Sundberg (Sweden):

The Coronian Spit is a 100 km long and 1-4 km wide sand dune peninsula in the south-east of the Baltic Sea, shared between Lithuania and the Russian enclave of Kaliningrad. On the western side of the peninsula you face the Baltic Sea and on the east side - the “inside” – there is a large lagoon. Just where the tip of the spit forms a narrow sound against the land, Klaipeda, Lithuanias major port is located. Or “Memel” as the town was known up until the end of WWII when then the population was predominantly German. Today it is 100% Lithuanian.

I arrived to Klaipeda on a bright summer day, after having crossed the Baltic Sea from Sweden on a pleasant overnight cruise. Klaipeda was badly damaged during WWII but still have enough old buildings and charm to be a major tourist destination. Later jumping across the sound between Klaipeda to the Spit takes about 10 minutes with a small ferry that runs back and forth all day. On the Spit, buses are running up and down and 45 minutes later I found myself in the small village of Nida, close to the Russian border. It is in Nida you will find the famous Paradise Dunes, massive sand dunes which equals you probably have to go to Sahara to find.

Walking on the sea side of the Coronian Spit was a peculiar experience. The sun was shining from a hot, clear blue summer sky and yet there was not a person in sight on this never-ending sandy beach. It was quite an amazing feeling to be completely alone in a place where - in our overpopulated world – you would normally find hundreds of people, lazing in the sun.

Klaipeda and the Coronian Spit is a perfect – yet not discovered - holiday destination for those with children and family. Klaipeda offers numerous nice restaurants and on the Spit it’s just to choose whether you want to dip your toe in the Baltic Sea or in the lagoon…

Date posted: August 2006

Jacob Leland (England):
The Curonian Spit is an ideal Summer Holiday destination. I remember my time there with nothing but fondness. I greatly enjoyed walking in the peaceful pine forests and catching glimpses of Elk and Wild Boar, and hiking to the top of colossal sand dunes which were more reminiscent of the Sahara than of Northern Europe. The sandy beach stretched as far as the eye could see in both directions. The four villages along the Lithuanian part of the spit are charming, and full of traditional wooden houses. There are none of the high-rises and crazed parties of the Costa Brava, instead the whole place has a relaxed and genteel air.

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