The city of Svetlogorsk in the Kaliningrad region is located in a small bay on the B altic Sea and has about 12 thousand inhabitants. The villages of Primorye, Donskoye and Otradnoye are also located in its district.
A trip to history: Raushen
The city was founded by the Knights of the Teutonic Order in the XIII century and was then called Rausche-Moter. Since the 16th century, it has received the name Raushen, which means, according to various sources, “dew” or “the sound of the sea.”
In the 19th century, travelers from East Prussia and Central Europe began to visit Rauschen, and gradually it became fashionable among we althy tourists. This led to the rapid growth of the local population, as well as the construction of villas, hotels and entertainment venues. Since 1840, after a visit by the King of Prussia, the city has gradually turned into a real resort.
Since 1900, Rauschen was connected with Koenigsberg by the Zemland railway, and in 1906 it was extended to the coastline (now Svetlogorsk-2). A cable car was also built to Georgienswalde(village Otradnoe). This has significantly increased the number of people wishing to relax and improve their he alth on the coast.
During the Third Reich, a sanatorium for the military was built in the city, where Nazi generals rested. The water tower of his hospital has become a symbol of Rauschen.
Svetlogorsk: recent history
In April 1945, the city was taken by Soviet troops, practically without causing damage to it, since the battles were fought mainly in the area of Lake Pacific. In the post-war years, the sanatorium was transferred to the Ministry of Defense of the USSR and began to receive Soviet generals.
From that moment on, the city was renamed Svetlogorsk and became a resort city of the republican, and since 1999 - the federal level. In 2002, it earned the title of the most comfortable city in Russia (for its category), and holidays in Svetlogorsk, Kaliningrad Region, began to attract more and more Russian tourists.
Today's Svetlogorsk is a developing resort center with a large number of sanatoriums and hotel complexes, good infrastructure and excellent natural conditions.
Geography and climate
Svetlogorsk is built on high dunes (from 30 to 50 meters), and all the slopes to the sea are quite steep. You can get to the beach by using the cable car or the elevator. There are also quite comfortable stairs.
The city is planted with trees that amaze with their diversity - for a long time, sailors and guests of Raushen brought here seedlings of overseas plants, which took root and strengthened theirrooted sand dunes. Local conifers also grow.
The sea here is surprisingly clear, thanks to the sea currents washing the shore. The beaches are mostly sandy, but there are also pebbly ones. After storms, everyone rushes to the shore in the hope of finding pieces of amber. And many succeed - it is not for nothing that the city bears the name Svetlogorsk: the city of the sun stone.
The length of the city beach is more than two kilometers, and then the coast is quite deserted. Therefore, rest in Svetlogorsk, Kaliningrad region, is suitable for those who want to stay away from civilization. Here you can find completely deserted places to enjoy the sound of the surf and the smell of the sea alone.
The swimming season here is quite short: from about June 15 to the 20th of August, and the water temperature does not exceed 20 degrees. In winter, the sea is not covered with ice.
Attractions
Svetlogorsk promenade is located along the coastline, which houses several cafes and restaurants. Night discos work next to them in the open air. One of the stairs leading to the promenade descends directly to a 5-meter-diameter sundial.
It's nice sometimes to stroll through the old quarters of the city and admire the buildings that have been preserved since the time of the knights, as well as the villas of the 19th century. Next to the hydropathic tower there is a beautiful park with a fountain, sculptures for which were created by G. Brachert. There is another of his works in the city - this is "Nymph", located near the beach elevator (by the way, the largest in Europe).
Citizens renovated the building of the old Catholic chapel "Mary, the Star of the Sea" and placed in it an organ specially ordered in Germany. Now in the organ hall of the restored chapel, beautiful music always sounds.
If you come to the city in early June, you can get to Song Day, which is celebrated on the first Sunday of the month along with City Day.
In the summer in Svetlogorsk you can listen to music on weekends at the Musical Wave festival. There are other centers of culture: the Brachert Museum, the Forest Museum, the Theater of the Young Spectator. The Mouse Trap Museum has recently opened.
Such a rich cultural life makes a holiday in Svetlogorsk, Kaliningrad region, pleasant and unforgettable.
Treatment
Svetlogorsk today is a resort with many sanatoriums, boarding houses and rest houses offering medical and preventive procedures to city guests.
For this, mineral water from local sources and peat mud are used. Recently, amber therapy has been used.
Svetlogorsk: recreation, private sector
In the city and its environs you can find accommodation of any class: from 5 stars to camping. If you need a holiday home, Svetlogorsk has hotels that have everything you need to provide visitors with the necessary service. Moreover, you can find quite affordable prices.
In the village of Primorye there is a small recreation center. Svetlogorsk is very close, so if you are interested in the most economical option,you can stay at the tourist center "Primorye".
If you are interested in the private sector, it is better to choose small guest houses, which are enough in the city. It's good if you find breakfast options so you don't waste your mornings looking for food.
You can rent a bike, motorcycle or roller skates in the city to move around the surrounding roads.
In Svetlogorsk, sea air saturated with iodine ions, the sound of the surf, mineral water springs and local therapeutic mud await you. And plus to everything - walks along the streets with ancient European architecture. These are weekdays that make holidays in Svetlogorsk, Kaliningrad region, attractive for hundreds of tourists from different countries.
