Tactile Bronze Model "Historical Klaipėda Until the Mid-20th Century"

Located in the Old Town of Klaipėda (Lithuania), this tactile bronze model is a unique urban installation and a visual monument to the city's lost architecture. Unveiled in 2022 to commemorate the 770th anniversary of Klaipėda, the three-dimensional map depicts the city's historical layout prior to the devastating destruction of World War II and subsequent Soviet urban remodeling, both of which permanently altered the city's historical character.

The detailed bronze casting showcases the historic street grid, the course of the Danė River, and long-lost churches. The fortification and bastion system of the historic Klaipėda Castle is prominently featured in the upper right corner. Designed with inclusivity in mind, the model is fully accessible to the visually impaired, with all street names and key landmarks duplicated in Braille. The conceptual design was developed by Vakaris Bernotas, and the bronze sculptural work was crafted by sculptor Arūnas Sakalauskas.