The settlement of Šventoji is located on the river Šventoji. It is of 75 km length, more than 30 km out of its total length makes a frontier between Lithuania and Latvia. At present, a frontier post and the customs of Būtingė are situated at Palanga and Šventoji boundary. This is the nearest way to the cities of Riga and Liepaja in Latvia.

Šventoji is an old fishermen’s settlement, situated on the mouth of the river Šventoji. In 1542 Šventoji was marked on the map of H. Celijus. The locals traded with neighbours and with foreign merchants. The port of Šventoji was a serious competitor for other ports, especially when the English traders got a privilege to build a port for big merchant ships.

In 1685, the settlement of Šventoji got permission to develop independent and seaborne trades. It obviously improved the economics of the port.

In 1701 during the North War the port of Šventoji was destroyed. There was always a gleam of hope to rebuild it. Since XVIII c. projects regarding port’s rebuilding were presented. Only in 1923 – 1925 the rebuilding started. During 1939 – 1940, improvements of southern and northern piers were made. Unfortunately, ships with big draught could not sail in because the sand was blocking the port gates. After the war, the      territory of the port belonged to a fishing company “Pajūris”.

Time will show if the port of Šventoji will revive or not. As two hundred years ago hope smoulders again; various projects have been submitted. In the meantime, “The daughters of fisherman” (1982, sculptress Z. Pranaitytė) look at the quay. Holidaymakers like to take a walk by the quay of the port.

In 1973, Šventoji was added to Palanga and became part of the resort. Today rehabilitation centre and holiday homes are open there. There are many wooden bungalows, health centre “Energetikas”. About 2000 inhabitants live in Šventoji. In summertime, many Lithuanian families arrive to rest here. You can go by boat, fish in the Šventoji River, which smells of silence and tranquillity. Who prefers sand beaches, swimming in the sea rushes to the Baltic sea!