Renovation of Klaipėda’s Rebirth Square resumes with archaeological remains preserved under new soil layer

Work has resumed on Klaipėda’s Rebirth Square, where historic building remnants will be buried under a protective soil layer rather than removed, while plans for an underground parking lot have been abandoned, LRT reports.

Excavators are now filling the exposed foundations—unearthed during archaeological digs—with a gravel and sand mixture. The remains will be wrapped in geotextile fabric before burial to ensure their long-term preservation, said Dainius Skirius, director of the city’s Urban Development and Maintenance Department. “The project’s decisions are final and will be implemented as planned,” he confirmed.

A heritage council had earlier ruled that the remnants of 19th–20th century structures and street networks must stay in place, forcing officials to scrap the underground parking proposal. Initial delays stemmed from the discovery of around 50 unexploded post-war ordnance items, but authorities now declare the site safe after deploying advanced scanning equipment to probe deeper layers without further excavation.

Archaeologist Donatas Zubrickas, who led two seasons of research, acknowledged the historical value of the finds for both locals and tourists but noted that permanent display—such as glass-covered exhibits common in southern Europe—would be impractical in Lithuania’s damp climate. “Moisture quickly damages exposed structures here,” he explained. Still, he called the project a success, citing extensive documentation, photographs, and architectural studies now archived for future research.

Community activists had opposed the underground parking plan, urging preservation of the heritage. While the remains will stay buried, Zubrickas stressed their academic significance: “We’ve gathered impressive material—all stamps, architectural details, and findings are now with the museum.”

The cost of the revised reconstruction remains unclear as a new tender for contractors is launched. Authorities aim to complete the square’s renewal by New Year’s.