Kaliningrad is the most European part of Russia. This is not just a city, but an enclave with a population of almost 500 thousand people, and if together with the region, then all 715 thousand. The settlement borders with Lithuania and Poland, it is washed by the waters of the B altic Sea.
How the city became Russian
Until 1946, the city was called Koenigsberg and belonged to the Prussian state. The city was taken by Soviet troops on April 6, 1945. By decision of the Potsdam Conference, it was transferred to the USSR for temporary possession. Later, Koenigsberg completely passed to Russia.
At the end of the Second World War, no more than 370 thousand Germans remained in the city, who were maximally adapted to life in the Soviet Union. There were even schools where they taught exclusively in German, a newspaper was published.
However, in 1947 they decided to deport the German population, only rare specialists remained, but they were also sent to their historical homeland from 1948 to 1949. The city received its new name in 1946, after the death of Kalinin M. I.
In the post-war period, Kaliningrad activelyindustry developed, but little attention was paid to the restoration of destroyed buildings. Almost all dilapidated historical sights of Kaliningrad were completely demolished by the end of 1960. Although there was a lot of indignation and protests among historians and local historians. For foreigners, the city was completely closed. And only in 1991 Kaliningrad was reopened both for visiting and for international cooperation.
Historical background
Before the Teutonic Order came to these lands, there was only the Prussian fortress Tuwangste, but when it was built or how it looked is unknown. After the troops of the order arrived, the fortress was burned down and a new one, called Koenigsberg, was founded around September 1255. Over time, a settlement formed around the fortress, and it was granted the status of a city. For several centuries, the city had many rulers from different countries, it passed from the Germans to the Poles. In 2015, the former Koenigsberg celebrated its 760th anniversary.
Despite numerous battles, a huge number of sights have been preserved in the city of Kaliningrad.
Cathedral
This is a whole organ complex and a multifunctional cultural center. Located in the heart of the historical part of the city on Kant Island, or Kneiphof. The first mention of this main attraction of Kaliningrad is in the annals for the period from 1297 to 1302. The official start date for construction is 1333. And by 1380, all work was completed.
The building once hadrich decoration, but after the fighting during the Second World War, nothing remained. Only a few stone epitaphs have survived.
Between 1992 and 2005 The cathedral was completely restored, and now it houses an organ complex, the largest in all of Russia. There is also a museum of Kant I., and around the sculpture park. The cathedral is located on I. Kant street, 1.
Koenigsberg Castle
This palace could become a real landmark of Kaliningrad, but time decreed otherwise. The date of foundation of the object is 1255. The castle was located on the banks of the Pregel River and was originally made of wood, later it was reconstructed using stone. The castle was attacked more than once and as a result it suffered the most during the Second World War. At the end of the war, the Soviet authorities did not have money to restore the building, and in 1953 the remains were blown up. The final work on the destruction of the historical monument was carried out in 1970. Practically on the same place where the castle was, the House of Soviets was erected, and the remains of the brick of the ancient building were used.
The restoration of the monument has been talked about for a long time, the first attempts were made in the 90s of the last century. There were even competitions for the development of the territory. Excavations began in 2016. To date, all ties with foreign partners have been interrupted, the excavation has remained unprotected, and the foundation has not been mothballed.
Fort 5 "King Frederick William III"
This landmark of the city of Kaliningrad was builtback in 1892, but the baptism of fire took place only during the Second World War.
This is a hexagonal concrete structure with a wide and deep moat surrounded by greenery. Soviet fighters stormed this fortification for 6 whole days, and after taking 15 soldiers were awarded distinctive signs.
Now this is one of the most visited places in the city. Near it is the Museum of Fortification and Military Equipment. Located at the entrance to the city, along Bulatov street.
Fort No. 11 Denhoff
This landmark of Kaliningrad with a photo, name and description is found in almost all city guides. The fort was built in 4 years, from 1877 to 1881. It was called upon to cover the railway tracks in the direction of Insterburg. It was once called Fort "Selingenfeld". It is a hexagonal building surrounded by a moat. The central part is additionally protected by an earth embankment. During the Second World War, the German troops practically did not resist, and after 13 hours the fort was taken by the Soviet troops.
The building is located along Energetikov Street. There are guided tours every weekend (every hour). Thematic events and competitions are often held on the territory of the facility. It is possible to conduct quests.
Brandenburg Gate
Description of the sights of Kaliningrad will be incomplete without mentioning this object. These gates are the only of eight that are still used for their intended purpose. They are located on the border of the historical part, in the Haberberg district, inend of Bagration street.
They were built back in 1657, they have 2 passages. The walls of the gate are richly inlaid with decorative elements.
The other seven
The Brandenburg Gate is not the only one in the city, because the entire former Koenigsberg is surrounded by similar buildings. There are only eight of them, and earlier there were 10. The photo of the sights of Kaliningrad shows that all the gates were built in different architectural styles. Available for viewing:
- Rosgarten.
- Friedland.
- Friedrichsburg.
- Ausfalian.
- Railway.
- Zackheim.
- Royal.
Queen Louise Church
This is another attraction of Kaliningrad, the photo of which you can see above. It was built in 3 years, from 1899 to 1901, in memory of the Queen of Prussia - Louise. Once there was a Lutheran church here, now the Regional Puppet Theater operates in the building. During the war, the building was badly damaged, and they even wanted to demolish it, but still managed to save and restore it. The modern appearance is almost completely consistent with the one that was before the war.
Located on Victory Avenue, 1.
Church of the Holy Family
Another attraction of Kaliningrad is the Church of the Holy Family, located along Karla Khmelnitsky Street, 61a. Previously, it was a Catholic church, and now the concert hall of the Regional Philharmonic works here.
Kirch, one might say, "young", it was built only inIn 1907, in the 80s of the last century, it underwent reconstruction, at the same time a concert hall was opened.
This is a neo-gothic building, the project of which provided for the observance of all the best traditions of architecture during the reign of the Prussian Teutons. The result is a magnificent and festive red brick building, very reminiscent of a medieval castle.
Amber Museum
A list of Kaliningrad attractions (with photos, names and descriptions) is impossible to imagine without the Amber Museum. It was founded in 1969 in the building "Tower of the Don" in the Rossgarten Gate. The decision to open was due to the fact that there is a village of Yantarny not far from the city, at that time it was the largest of all the explored amber deposits. It was estimated to contain about 90% of the world's total supply.
For a long time the building was restored, and from 1979 to 1984. The museum was in full bloom. Then they forgot about him. Only in 2003 the building was restored, in subsequent years it fell several times under various development programs. Today in the museum you can learn a lot of interesting things about B altic amber, see one of the largest stones in the world, which weighs 4 kilograms and 280 grams.
Park "Youth"
This park has one very unusual landmark of Kaliningrad. Probably every tourist who visited this city is familiar with the photo and description of the object called “Upside Down House”. You can find a kind of attraction on Telman Street.
It looks like an ordinary cottage, but only standing upside down,resting its roof on the ground. Inside there is furniture, a bathroom and everything that happens in an ordinary residential building. Not a single visitor remains indifferent, because it is hard enough to perceive the world turned upside down.
Fish Village
This is a whole block completely stylized as ancient Prussia. It is located between Yubileiny and Medovy bridges, on the right bank of the Pregol river. This landmark of Kaliningrad is a shopping and ethnographic complex.
Construction started in 2006, on the site where the fish market used to be. It is best to view the complex from the Mayak viewing tower, where a metal seagull is installed, the sides or beak of which must be rubbed “for good luck”. The tower offers a magnificent view of the city. 133 steps lead to the very top of the tower.
Here, in the complex, there is the Rechnoy Vokzal shopping and entertainment center, the Pregolsky Passage shopping center, a hotel and another observation tower called Lomze.
Königsberg Stock Exchange Building
This architectural monument is located near the Trestle Bridge, on the right side of the river, along Leninsky Prospekt, 83.
Today the building is occupied by the Youth Cultural Center.
The surviving stock exchange was built in 1875. Not only auctions were held here, but also concerts and festive events. In 1944, the building was badly damaged by bombing. In the post-war years (about 20 years), the exchange stood in ruins, in which the finale of the film “Fathersoldier.”
In 1960, the building receives the status of an architectural monument, but the reconstruction begins only after 7 years. Upon completion of the work, the object becomes the Seamen's House.
The building itself was built in the Italian Neo-Renaissance style, which is not typical for Kaliningrad. The stock exchange hall was the second largest after the hall of the Königsberg Palace.
Main square of the city
Today, Victory Square is one of the most beautiful sights of Kaliningrad. It was renamed several times, equipped on the site where the city fortification gates used to be. Already in 1920, this place became the center of the city.
In 1953, a monument to Stalin was erected on the square, which was dismantled after 5 years. Then a monument to Lenin was erected here, which stood until the collapse of the USSR.
Old buildings preserved on the square:
- North station with railway tunnel (1930).
- Technical University (1931).
- City Hall (1920).
To celebrate the 750th anniversary of the city, several fountains and even the Arc de Triomphe were built on the square. Judging by the available reviews of the sights of Kaliningrad, the arch has a great resemblance to the Alexander Column in St. Petersburg. In 2006, the Temple of the Savior was built here, which has a huge size - 73 meters in height. A little later, a “kissing church” was built near the temple and dedicated to Peter and Fevronia.
The square is surrounded by modern buildings and covers a huge area - 300 X 150 meters.
Amalienau area
Many travel agencies include a visit to this area in the program of excursions to the sights of Kaliningrad. It is famous for its unique villas. Even at the dawn of the 20th century, these houses had absolutely all amenities, sewerage, electricity, gas and water.
Almost all houses have many interesting details and decorations, the roofs are usually bizarre and half-timbered. The main idea of the architect is to build a district for rich people. But it was not possible to fully realize the project: the First World War began. Later, building continued, but not with such pomp and pathos. At the end of the Second World War, building was also carried out, but no one adhered to the concept of the architectural plan for the development of the area. However, the surviving buildings are worth seeing, with some retaining inlays and decorations.
Royal Orphanage
This building is one of the oldest in the city. It is located near the Sackheim Gate, at the address: Litovsky Val, 62.
The orphanage was founded by Frederick I in 1701, after 2 years the building was completely ready to receive children. During the Second World War, the object was practically not damaged, except for the tower, which gave the building its characteristic features. The tower was completely destroyed and never rebuilt. In 2007, the building was included in the list of cultural heritage of regional importance. In 2016, a comprehensive plan for its restoration was approved.
Curonian Spit
We have already described a lotsights of Kaliningrad. What to see in the area? A frequently visited tourist site is the Curonian Spit. This sandy and narrow strip of land, when viewed from a bird's eye view, resembles a saber in shape, separating the bay of the B altic Sea. The spit begins in the city of Zelenogradsk, Kaliningrad region, and stretches to the city of Smiltyne in Lithuania. The total length of land is 98 kilometers. The average width of the spit is 2.5 kilometers (from 400 to 3.8 km). There is no analogue to such a natural creation in the world.
In this place you can see the sand dunes and raised bogs characteristic of the tundra. In autumn, about 15 million birds fly to the spit. 72% of this territory is occupied by forest groves with more than 600 types of vegetation. There are many animals and reptiles here (about 296 species).
Today, there are several hiking trails and attractions here:
- in the village of Rybachy an old church;
- Thomas Mann House Museum;
- lighthouse on Urbas dune;
- Kopgalis fortress;
- Southern Pier;
- Witch Mountain;
- dolphinarium and others.
Winter has come
It would seem, well, what kind of sightseeing in Kaliningrad in winter? Cold, damp, dank - the B altic after all. But such a position is fundamentally wrong. With the arrival of winter comes the season of visiting museums, and there are plenty of them in the city.
Museum of the World Ocean
The doors of this establishment are open all year round. Here is a unique collection of sea mollusk shells, a lot of artworkon the marine theme, models of ships. You can also see with your own eyes the Vityaz research ship, which has been on the museum berth since 1994, and many other interesting exhibits. Address: Peter the Great Embankment, 1.
Regional History and Art Museum
This is a huge collection of unique items. It is here that you can see many archaeological exhibits from the period of the Teutonic Order. The museum is located on Clinical street, 21.
Von Lyash dugout
The entire exhibition is based on the history of the Second World War and is located in a bunker. It was here that the headquarters of the Germans was located, headed by von Lyash. The museum is located at: Universitetskaya street, 2.
Submarine Museum B-413
This submarine has been in combat service for 30 years, in 1990 it was assigned to the B altic Fleet. The boat visited the waters of the Mediterranean Sea, in the Atlantic Ocean. A unique long-distance voyage was carried out on the submarine: the brigade sailed without changing the crew for more than 1 year. In 1999 it was decommissioned. Since 2000, it has been standing in Kaliningrad, near the Museum of the World Ocean.
The ship was converted into a museum. The interior decoration is completely preserved, only everything was cleaned of oil and fuel oil, all hatches were battened down. The torpedo hole was converted into a visitor's entrance. In 2013, a total of 2.5 million visitors boarded the submarine. To date, the object is included in the register of cultural heritage of the peoples of the Russian Federation.
The city of Kaliningrad is an enclave with an interesting and difficult fate. Russian and German culture are closely intertwined here.story. The city has a good-natured and friendly atmosphere, and many historical sites and museums are available to tourists.
