Katyčiai is a town located near the Šyša River, one of the oldest settlements in Šilutė District Municipality, with well-preserved historical architecture. According to the 1442 Treaty of Melno, Katyčiai belonged to the Grand Duchy of Lithuania. However, from 1555 onward, it became part of Prussia.
During the 18th century, large markets were held in Katyčiai. In both the 18th century and the first half of the 19th century, the town suffered devastating outbreaks of plague and cholera, leading to the mass death of local residents. As a result, German colonists were brought in to repopulate the area. By 1861, Germans made up 80% of the town’s population, while in 1905, Lithuanians accounted for about 30%.
Following the Klaipėda Uprising, Katyčiai was incorporated into Lithuania. As World War II came to an end, most of the German residents fled westward, and their place was taken by newcomers from various regions of Lithuania.
One of Katyčiai’s highlights is its old Evangelical Lutheran Church, built in 1734 from fieldstone and brick, featuring a wooden tower and located next to the town’s historic cemetery. In 1801, a powerful storm destroyed the church’s tower, which was later rebuilt. The church underwent major renovation in 1894, giving it a strict rectangular shape and strengthening its wooden tower, which was topped with a tent-like roof.
The church bell tower originally housed three bells, one of which was donated by Queen Louise of Prussia. The bells rang until 1955, after which they were no longer used.
In 1926, a watermill was built in Katyčiai, which for some time supplied electricity to the town in the post-war period. Today, however, the building is in critical condition and requires urgent renovation.
Near the church, at the intersection of roads leading to Degučiai, Stubriai, and Mediškiai, a market square developed, featuring trading rows. In 1906, the square was paved with stones. The distinctive marketplace was surrounded by ornate brick buildings ranging from one to three stories tall.
However, in the post-war years, isolated farmsteads in the surrounding countryside were completely destroyed, and many of the town’s historic brick buildings began to disappear.
After 1990, Katyčiai continued to decline. During Lithuania’s independence, several three-story buildings in the market square were abandoned and later demolished. It was only in 2005 that the historical part of Katyčiai was included in the Cultural Heritage Register of the Republic of Lithuania, but its true historical value was not officially specified.
Despite many years of transformation, Katyčiai has retained numerous German architectural features, making it a unique and fascinating place where visitors can experience something distinctive.
Throughout history, Katyčiai has been known under various names, including Kotyca, Koadjuthen, Koadjuten, Coadjuthen, Katytiai, and Kottiten.