Highlights of Kaliningrad

Highlights of Russia
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Kaliningrad
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Kaliningrad

Kaliningrad is a Russian city on the Baltic Sea. Being an enclave, the city has no direct connection with the motherland.

Until July 4, 1946 the city was called Königsberg.

Königsberg Castle was founded in 1255 by the Teutonic Order crusaders. In 1286-1327, the rights of the city were granted to three villages, which were formed around the Koenigsberg castle (the old city, Löbenicht and Kneiphof). Legalization of the status of the city of Königsberg occurred in 1724, when these three cities merged.

In 1554, a university was opened, later called "Albertina".

Since 1701 the city belonged to the kingdom of Prussia.

Koenigsberg became the coronation site of William I, the future emperor of Germany.

After World War II, the city was badly damaged during the fighting, many buildings were destroyed. However, over time, the city was restored.

Today, Kaliningrad is a multinational city.

The Blindage Museum

The museum of the storming of Koenigsberg is located in the bunker. This is a one-storied underground concrete bombproof shelter which is 7 meters deep, 42 meters long, 15 meters wide and consists of 21 rooms. The bunker has all systems to support life. There was a headquarters of the German command leading Koenigsberg defences since March 1945. In the bunker General Otto Lasch decided to sign the Act of Capitulation. He was the commandant of Koenigsberg. The atmosphere of the Second World War is reestablished in the premises. The dioramas and the materials telling about storming of Koenigsberg by the Soviet Army are exhibited in the museum. The bunker’s gate was covered by runic symbols. According to one of the versions it was meant for German headquarters magic defence.

Zakheim Gate

Zakheim Gate - a monument of architecture of the middle of the XIX century. This is one of the seven city gates, preserved in its original form until today. The Zakheim Gate was designed by Ernst Ludwig von Aster from red brick and decorated with high reliefs by Prussian Field Marshal Johann David Ludwig York, Count von Dennevitz Friedrich Wilhelm Bülow. From the outside - the image of the black eagle, which was the highest award of Prussia. The gate has two towers, between which a passage is created in the form of an arch. Since 1960, the Zakheim Gate became subject to state protection.

Royal Gate

The Royal Gate is a historical monument that became a symbol of the city in 2005. The gates are made in neo-gothic style and in appearance resemble a small castle in which the Grand Embassy Historical and Cultural Center is located today. Originally, the Calthof gates, demolished in 1717, were located on the site of the Royal Gate.

Rosgarten Gate

Rosgarten Gate - a monument of architecture of the XIX century. Red brick gates are located next to Vasilevsky Square and the Amber Museum. They were built according to the design of engineer-captain Irfugelbreht and engineer-lieutenant von Heil in 1855. The gates form two towers, between which there is an arch 4 meters wide, and casemates are created on the sides of the towers.

Museum of the World Ocean

The Museum of the World Ocean was created aboard the former research vessel Vityaz. The exhibition at the museum presents the latest technology of marine research, as well as the fauna and flora of the ocean. In the submarine B-413, moored nearby, is an exhibition of the Russian submarine fleet.

Munchhausen Statue

The monument to Baron Munchhausen in Kaliningrad is located in the Central City Park. It was a gift to the city from Bodenweden - the birthplace of Munchausen in 2005. The author of the sculpture was the German master Georg Petau. The monument is a plane in which the outline of Munchausen is carved, the baron sits on a round steel core. On the pedestal, on the one hand, the inscription "Koenigsberg" is stamped, and on the other - "Kaliningrad", in order to emphasize the historical connection of the German and Russian cities.

Kreuzkirche

The Kreuzkirche is one of the last monuments of Lutheran architecture. It was built in 1933. During World War II, the building was partially destroyed. From a bird's eye view, the church appears as a Greek cross. The main architectural detail of the western facade is a huge niche. In 1986, the church was transferred to the Orthodox community.

Konigsberg Stock Exchange

In 1870, the construction of the Koenigsberg Stock Exchange, designed by architect Heinrich Miller, began on the south bank of the Pregolya River. In 1875, construction was completed. Muller executed the stock exchange building in the style of the Florentine Renaissance. After the war, the exchange was in ruins for a long time. In 1960, the status of a monument of architecture of republican significance was given to the building. Currently, the Regional Center for Youth Culture is located here.

Königsberg Cathedral

The Cathedral of Königsberg is the hallmark of the city. The cathedral, built in the XIV century, belongs to a small number of Gothic buildings in Russia. The Baltic Gothic cathedral is located in the former historical district of Kaliningrad, Kneiphof. Here, near the temple, is the grave of Immanuel Kant, who was buried in 1804. The rich interior of the cathedral was destroyed during the Second World War. The building houses the Evangelical and Orthodox chapels, as well as the Museum of the Cathedral and the Museum of Immanuel Kant. The cathedral regularly hosts concerts of classical and religious organ music.

Kaliningrad Zoo

Kaliningrad Zoo is one of the oldest and largest in Russia. It appeared in Konigsberg at the end of the 19th century thanks to the German businessman Hermann Klaass. The grand opening took place in 1896. The zoo became the central resting place of the Koenigsbergians, where they came for the rest with the whole family. Today, the area of the zoo is more than 16 hectares. 2360 animals live in the zoo. The arboretum is very interesting, there grow various types of trees, shrubs and vines.

Kaliningrad Amber Museum

The Kaliningrad Amber Museum was opened in 1979. The museum is located in the Don Tower, which was built in the middle of the 19th century. The museum has the largest collection of amber in the world. The museum expositions are located on three floors and is divided into natural science, cultural and historical parts. Here you can see the largest "solar stone" weighing more than 4 kg, specimens with petrified insects, works of art by masters of the XVII-XVIII centuries.

Friedrichsburg Gate

The Friedrichsburg Gate is a preserved part of the Friedrichsburg fortress, which was built in 1657 by the orders of Friedrich Wilhelm. The fortress was located on the southern bank of the Pregel River to ensure its protection. The gates themselves were designed by F.A. Schtühler and in appearance resemble the city gates of Königsberg. Today, the Friedrichsburg Gate is a branch of the Museum of the World Ocean.

Friedland Gates Museum

The Friedland Gate is an architectural monument of the 19th century, one of the seven remaining city gates of Kaliningrad. The gate was erected in 1862. It was designed by the architect Friedrich Stüler. The name of the gate is refers to the city of Friedland (today Pravdinsk): they defended Koenigsberg, blocking the road in this direction. The fortress gates lost their defense significance at the beginning of the 20th century. Now there is a museum in the Friedland Gate, the exposition of which tells about the history of Königsberg and about the pre-war life of citizens.

Fort number 5

Fort number 5, named after the King of Prussia, Friedrich Wilhelm III, was built in 1886. It is an elongated hexagon with dimensions of 215 by 105 meters, which is surrounded by a deep-water moat. During the war, the fort was badly damaged and was in a ruined state. In 1979, the Museum of the Great Patriotic War opened here.

Fishing Village

The fishing village is a modern trade, craft and ethnographic center located on a separate island of Kaliningrad. Here are a lot of craft workshops and several cultural and business centers, stylized as the architecture of the old Koenigsberg. The fishing village has become one of the main attractions of the city, here residents and guests of the city enjoy walks. The observation deck offers stunning views of the city. Particularly fascinating view opens from the observation deck of the lighthouse.

Church of the Holy Family

The Church of the Holy Family – an outstanding monument of architecture of the early twentieth century. This is the most famous work of the German architect Friedrich Heitmann. The church miraculously remained intact after the storming of Königsberg. Heitmann departed from his usual style and depicted a red brick church similar the order churches. In the 80s of the twentieth century, the monument was reconstructed, then the Regional Philharmonic Hall was located here.

Brandenburg Gate

The Brandenburg Gate is one of the symbols of the city of Kaliningrad. This is one of the seven remaining city gates of Kaliningrad, and so far, it is used for its intended purpose. It was built in neo-gothic style in 1657. The Brandenburg Gate was wooden, and before it a moat was dug out. In the middle of the 18th century, by decree of Prussian King Frederick II, the wooden gates were replaced with stone. Sculptural portraits of Field Marshal Boyen, Minister of War, Lieutenant General Ernst von Aster, as well as high reliefs and stone flowers were installed on them.

Botanical Garden

The Immanuel Kant Botanical Garden is a monument of garden art of the early twentieth century. Earlier in its place there was a garden, founded by Professor Paul Kaber in 1904. Today in the dendropark area of more than 13 hectares various types of flora of almost all zones of the globe grow. The garden is open to visitors daily from April 1st to October 31st.