“Hagen” dune

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Hagen’s Hill is a 36.5 m high sand dune located near Klaipėda, in Smiltyne, about 0.6 km west of the new ferry. On it there is a monument erected in the interwar period, dedicated to the famous Prussian physicist and hydro-engineer, the head of the Curonian Spit’s greenery, Ludvik Hagen in 19th century he described, tested and perfected the technique of forming the spearhead.
On the modest obelisk, the words “In memory of Ludwig Hagen, the head of dune planting” are engraved in German and Lithuanian.

History
Hagen scientifically justified and systematised the reinforcement of dunes by vegetation and the formation of ridges, and was involved in and led the implementation of his ideas in the northern part of the Curonian Spit. 1936 The grateful residents of Klaipėda region erected a modest stone obelisk on the dune in his memory. On the front of the card is the German inscription “Hagen’s Hoh” (Hagen’s hill). On the other side of the obelisk, the words “In memory of Ludwig Hagen, the head of dune planting” are engraved in German (in bold) and Lithuanian. During the Second World War, the highest dune near Klaipėda was of strategic importance. This is evidenced by the preserved traces of trenches and buildings.

In 19th century. L. Hagen (1797-1884) was an honorary citizen of the town of Pilau (now Baltijsk), where he built a harbour, canals, fortified the shores of the spit, and from 1869 onwards built a harbour, canals, and a spit.

The obelisk marking the dune is located in a busy area, next to a pedestrian and cycle path. Lithuanian entries are difficult to read (overgrown with lichen). The German inscriptions are believed to have been renewed by German preservation enthusiasts.