Šilutė District Municipality is in the western part of the Republic of Lithuania, near the Baltic Sea Curonian Lagoon. The total area of Šilutė District Municipality is 1706 km². The population of the Municipality is 41 093 people.
Šilutė district is attractive for its exceptional geographical location, unique scenery and unique ethnic culture. Distinctness of Šilutė district municipality is determined by the fact that the Nemunas delta covers the greater part of it, and the Nemunas Delta Regional Park, established there, takes 28 thousand ha. The park has 14 sanctuaries and one reserve. It is the largest concentration of waterfowl in the Baltic Searegion. The Arctic – Europe – East African bird migration route passes through the park. The park is equipped with three observation towers for those who wish to watch birds. One-fifth of the park’s area is covered by water – the Nemunas Delta branches.
The investment is attracted by the rapidly developing rural tourism, the cultural and educational activities, and the favourable conditions for the creation and the development of business. The producers of furniture, cheese, peat, and the company of transportation services are well known not only in Lithuania, but also in foreign countries. In the territory of the municipality the several companies of construction, fur and fur goods manufacturing company, and other smaller businesses are working.
History of the town of Silute starts from the settlement Silokarcema (eng. The Forest inn; germ. Heydekrug), which was mentioned in the written sources on the 22ndof February in 1511. Silute was created from three settlements: Silokarcema, Zibai and Verdaine. They were connected in the first half of the 20th century, but the township rights Silute received only in 1941.
During 16th century, settlement Silokarcema became famous for its large market. The Square became gradually more and more populated by trades people, with new surrounding buildings rising one after the other. The fishermen were selling the various fish straight from their boats. At the beginning of the 20th century, construction of the Market Square was equated with the construction of the town.
The Silute estate was established in 1721. In 1889, when the estate was bought by Hugo Scheu, it became very famous and well known in Klaipeda region and all Eastern Prussia. It is known that the German crown prince Joachim, the president of Lithuania, the governors of the Klaipeda region, J. Basanavicius, A. Besseberger and H. Sudermann visited the estate. H. Scheu is called founder of Silute. Today, Silute estate homestead is the best-preserved estate complex in the former Klaipeda region.
Zibai settlement was mentioned for the first time in 1540. It has been recognized as an enterprising settlement since its foundation. The majority of hotels, cafes, stores, publishing houses and bookstores are concentrated in this place. at the middle of 19th centurya large Court Palace with a prison for 200 places, the Baptists’ house of prayer, the Holy Cross Church complex were built in Zibai.
It is believed that Verdaine settlement was established before Silokarcema. It was a religious center, because the only one Evangelical-Lutheran Church was operating until 1926, when Silokarcema Church was built. In addition, schools, widows’ and children’s care homes were set up in Verdaine. The heritage of Verdaine is the old cemetery, a bridge, a few historical buildings and Villa Werden restaurant, where famous declaration of the Rescue Committee of Lithuania Minor, “Manifest to all the people of the Klaipeda region” was proclaimed.
In 1910, Žibai, Verdainė and Cintjoniškiai villages were officially connected to Šilokarčema, were the population of local people was about 3350.
We are proud to live and work in the exceptional historical frontier region of Lithuania Minor and Lithuania. We nurture tolerance for multicultural heritage, care for the preservation of natural values, creating a pleasant environment for ourselves and the visitors of the littoral, taking responsibility for the past of the country, people and nature.
Šilutė District municipality is famous for its activities in five cultural centres, Friedrich Bajoraitis Public Library and its branches, Šilutė Museum, and the Chamber Drama Theatre. Each year the last weekend of May, the beautiful town birthday festivities are celebrated. Many other traditional events are organized.