1509 LITHUANIA (Klaipėda) - Ventė Cape Lighthouse

Ventė Cape is a headland in Nemunas Delta, known as a rest place for many birds during their migrations, particularly the autumn migration. The Cape, being in the former Memel Territory, was part of Germany until 1919, and was marked as one of the most dangerous places in different old maps. It is the main reason why an 11m-high lighthouse (one of the seven that exist in Lithuania) stands in the horn. The first wooden lighthouse in Ventė Cape was built in 1837, surrounded by water on three sides. The present red brick lighthouse was built in 1852, at 30m from the Curonian Lagoon, and its signal is seen from 3.5km. In order to protect the lighthouse, the horn of Ventė Cape was paved with stones in 1860. Water measuring station was built next to the lighthouse in 1880.

Ventė Cape lighthouse is one of the few lighthouses in Lithuania where visitors can climb up and look around. Old iron stairs, which are decorated with original ornaments, lead to the observation deck. Visitors can see Nida, which is located in the Curonian Spit and which is distanced by 12-13km to the South West, golden dunes, and Preila, which is distanced by 8.5km to the West. The main branch of Nemunas called Atmata flows into the Curonian Lagoon 3.6km to the East from the lighthouse. Ventė Cape lighthouse is a technical monument protected by the government, and an important observation place. However, its meaning is more symbolic because shipping isn't intensive in the Curonian Lagoon. The lighthouse usually shows the way for the enthusiasts of ice shipping during the winter season.

About the stamp

The stamp, Euro Introduction in Lithuania, created by Tomas Dragūnas, was issued on January 2, 2015.

References
Ventė Cape - Wikipedia
Ventė Cape Lighthouse - Divycio Kelias

Sender: Gita / gitagric (postcrossing) LT-434620
Sent from Vilnius (Vilnius / Lithuania), on 27.03.2015