Šventoji
Šventoji – a resort town on the Baltic coast, it is 12 km away to the north from the center of Palanga. A resort town is situated on the left shore of the Šventoji river, which flows into the Baltic Sea. It is an old fisherman’s settlement, where archaeological finds date back to 3000 BC. Over time, a fisherman’s settlement turned into a port, which is known from the XIII century. Šventoji port was actively used in XVI-XVII c. and seriously competing with neighboring Klaipėda, Liepaja, Ventspils and Riga ports, especially after the English merchants got the privilege to equip in Šventoji a port was able to accept large cargo vessels. In XVII c. to Šventoji was granted the right to independently marketed and development of maritime business, it has significantly improved the port economy. Trade with England, Denmark was held through the Šventoji port. Widely held sound about Šventoji port until in 1701 it was destroyed and filled with stones and sand by the Swedish fleet.
When Lithuania became independent, Šventoji as a part of the Couronian province belonged to Latvia. It was returned to Lithuania in 1921 by a decision of the international arbitration committee led by Lord J. Simpson, since most of the residents here were Lithuanians. In 1925 port reconstruction works, creation of fishermen’s settlement began in Šventoji. Unfortunately, the port was constantly choked up with sand, so the works went on with difficulty and Šventoji did not grow into a large port.
Šventoji as a resort town in the Baltic region and Europe was known since the interwar period. The most Šventoji fame and expanded after World War II. In 1970 Šventoji was connected to Palanga and become a part of the resort of Palanga.
Port reconstruction project in Šventoji is ready. Port reconstruction can positively affected by the expansion of the resort town. Šventoji is expanding resort. New modern private homes and hotels are being constructed here, there are many cafes. Population of Šventoji is 2,000 residents.
