Priekulė, Klaipėda

Infobox Settlement
name = Priekulė
nickname =
settlement_type = City
pushpin_

pushpin_label_position =
pushpin_map_caption =Location of Priekulė
image_shield = Priekule COA.gif
latd=55|latm=33|lats=20|latNS=N|longd=21|longm=19|longs=10|longEW=E
coordinates_display= inline,title
coordinates_type = region:LT_type:city(1600)
subdivision_type = Country
subdivision_name = LTU
subdivision_type1 = Ethnographic region
subdivision_name1 = Lithuania Minor
subdivision_type2 = County
subdivision_name2 = Klaipėda County
subdivision_type3 = Municipality
subdivision_name3 = Klaipėda district municipality
subdivision_type4 = Eldership
subdivision_name4 = Priekulė eldership
subdivision_type6 = Capital of
subdivision_name6 = Priekulė eldership
established_date = 16th century
established_title = First mentioned
established_date2 = 1948
established_title2= Granted city rights
population_total = 1,690
population_as_of = 2005
timezone=EET
utc_offset=+2
timezone_DST=EEST
utc_offset_DST=+3

Priekulė (pronunciation|Priekule.ogg, _de. Prökuls) is a small city in Klaipėda district municipality, Lithuania. It is located on the banks of Minija River about 20 km south of Klaipėda. Priekulė is the seat of Priekulė elderate. Priekulė was part of East Prussia for most of its history and became part of Lithuania only after the Klaipėda Revolt in 1923.

History

Priekulė's name is known since the first half of the 16th century. At first it was named Paminija, and it was a small village with three homesteads. Later the settlement was renamed after a local elder.As mentioned in an old official gazette Lukas Preckol opened a tavern in 1540. Gradually more people settled around the tavern and called the place after the innkeeper. The name "Precols" was recorded on region maps in 1548. A church was build in 1587 and a teacher was hired in 1594.

In 1609 during the Polish–Swedish War (1600–1611), regiments of the Polish–Lithuanian cavalry plundered the town. In 1688 minister Wilhelm Martin built a new church. In 1905 the village, now known as Prökuls, had 500 residents who were mostly protestant Lutherans and mainly spoke Lithuanian. Before the World War II around 1,200 people lived in Priekulė among them very few Germans. These people built a new church after taking down the old one.

On December 19, 2002 the city was granted coat of arms by the President of Lithuania.

Landmarks and famous people

There is St. Anthony of Padua Church, built in 1938. In the city park grows a centuries old oak, that is preserved as monument of nature. In the city there is a monument to Lithuanian writer Ieva Simonaitytė. Her cottage is turned into memorial museum (established in 1984). Estates of the forefathers of philosopher Immanuel Kant (1724–1804) were located in the vicinity of Priekulė.

:"This article incorporates text translated from Memeler Dampfboot (German Magazine for people from Memelland, mostly refugees living in Germany) and family history"