The old market square

From the 16th century until the World War I, Šilokarčema (Šilutė) was accompanied and famous by a single image:  a town where huge markets are held. Constant complaints of the city of Klaipėda, which sought to get rid of a trade competitor, in 1578–1670, reveal that the Šilokarčema markets were not only of local importance. In just a few decades the markets here became traditional, no decrees and ordinances could prohibit them anymore. Fishermen and farmers from the surrounding settlements, merchants from Konigsberg and Klaipėda; Samogitians from Lithuania Proper used to come there by roads and by waterways.  Gradually, artisans settled on the square (now Turgaus Street), and it was shaped by the buildings that appeared one after another. The Fish Market was formed in the northwestern part of the square, where fishermen sold fish directly from their boats. At first, the market was held every Sunday, although the priests forbade, so that it would not disturb people praying in the churches. Then the market was moved to Monday, but it had to end by noon. Since 1613, a policeman used to come from Priekulė to check whether prohibited goods were not being sold. Until 1944, the markets started on Monday evening and ended at noon on Tuesday. In 1875, the market square of Šilokarcema was paved with cobbles. Fishermen came to the town market every week; in 1890, new fashionable shops were opened: of ‘colonial’ goods, ironwork, building materials and coal; a hotel with a pharmacy and a restaurant.  In the 20th century,  trade in the square was still expanding, so Hugo Scheu allocated estate land to build a third market square northwest of the old one. In this place from 1901 to 1910, a trading hall emerged. At the beginning of the 20th century, the construction of the market square was already comparable to the construction of a town. It housed the most important and fashionable shops and cafes. In 1912-1917, a port was built near the square; in 1914, a modern metal bridge was built according to the project of engineer Fabian, and the square was re-paved with cobbles. At the beginning of the 20th century, after landlord H. Scheu initiated the installation of protective embankments in Šilokarčema, and the biggest problem of Market Square – spring floods – was solved.