Kaliningrad architecture: styles, historical and modern buildings

2024 Author: Leah Sherlock | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 05:25

Kaliningrad is an ancient city with a rich history and, consequently, numerous architectural masterpieces. Its population is over half a million people. This seaside town has long attracted and attracted tourists. What interesting things can be seen here?

History of the city

The city of Kaliningrad, formerly Koenigsberg, was founded in 1255. Initially, this name was given to a castle built on the site of a Prussian town. Later, in 1724, nearby towns and villages were merged with the castle and formed a large city - Königsberg.

It became part of the Soviet Union in 1945, after the end of the Great Patriotic War. And a year later it received a new name - Kaliningrad. Most of the German population was deported to Germany, and the city is inhabited by Soviet citizens.

City Architecture

Kaliningrad is a city of various architectural and historical monuments. Here you can see buildings belonging to different eras and even nationalities. This is not surprising, because until 1945 Koenigsberg belonged to Germany.

Cityattractive to tourists for its beauty and mystery. A variety of museums, ancient universities, bridges and castles - all this and much more can be seen in this amazing corner of vast Russia.

Eight Gates

A distinctive feature of the city are the gates of Kaliningrad. There are currently eight of them. They surround the city center. Previously, there were more gates - 10. But not all of them have survived to this day.

List of Kaliningrad gates:

1. Friedland.
2. Ausfalian.
3. Rossgarten.
4. Friedrichsburg.
5. Brandenburg.
6. Zackheim.
7. Royal.
8. Railway.

Let's consider each object in more detail.

• Friedland Gate is today a local history museum. Here are collected a variety of items that were found in the mid-80s during the cleaning of the city and nearby lakes. In the museum you can understand how the city of Koenigsberg used to live.
• The Ausfal Gate took into its premises one of the branches of the Art and History Museum. Used in the war and post-war times to accommodate warehouses, bomb shelters, control centers, etc.
• Rossgarten Gate is one of the most beautiful in the city. Like their other "brothers", they are not used for their intended purpose. Now there is a cafe on this territory, and utility rooms in the casemates: a kitchen, a dressing room, warehouses.
• The Friedrichsburg Gate has become a room for onefrom the branches of the Museum of the World Ocean. Here tourists can see paintings and illustrations on the marine and shipbuilding themes.
• The Brandenburg Gate is the only one of the eight available in the city that functions for its intended purpose. Trams still run under them today. Pedestrian openings were closed during the restoration.
• Sackheim Gate is currently used for social events, various concerts, meetings and conferences.
• Royal - the most beautiful gates of Kaliningrad. Today this building is the property of the Museum of the World Ocean. The gate has undergone many renovations and has even been abandoned for more than a decade.
• Railway gates are practically not used for their intended purpose. At the top there is a walking path that leads to the park. At the bottom, this gate looks more like a tunnel. The tracks in these tunnels have been preserved, but traffic has ceased long ago.

Buildings of Kaliningrad, which are historical and architectural monuments

The city has many historical buildings that have been recognized as architectural monuments. This is not surprising, because Kaliningrad is a city with a long history. Here you can see buildings not only of the Soviet era, but also buildings erected by the German population. Some of these structures even have authentic German inscriptions.

List of old buildings in Kaliningrad:

• King's Gate. This most beautiful of buildings is recognizedarchitectural monument. Of course, these gates have been reconstructed, but they have not lost their splendor.
• Wooden hunting castle. The building was erected in 1893. Only natural wooden building materials brought from Norway were used for its construction. This building was intended to receive guests. Government officials and ministers who came from abroad have lived here more than once.
• The FSB control building. Built in 1914. Initially, the famous Gestapo was located here. Later, during the Soviet Union, the building served to house the NKVD department. Currently, the FSB headquarters is located here.
• Palace of culture of sailors. Previously, this majestic building housed the stock exchange. The refined design of the building corresponds to the architecture of Kaliningrad. Here there are columns, and capitals, and balustrades. The stairs at the entrance to the building are decorated with lions holding the emblems of the city of Koenigsberg.
• The building of the Art and History Museum. Initially, the building was intended for musical events.
• KSTU. The building was erected in 1917. This is a whole complex. This is where the courts were. There were many horror stories associated with this place. They have reached our days. Today the building houses a university. And only in one of the buildings of the complex there is a pre-trial detention center.
• Koenigsberg University. In honor of its founder, it received another name - "Albertina". Kaliningrad can be proud of this building. Currently hereBFU is located Kant. Albertina in Kaliningrad is the oldest Prussian university.

• Friedrichsburg Gate.
• Rossgarten Gate.
• Brandenburg Gate.

Ethnographic complex in Kaliningrad

In 2006, the construction of a large shopping complex began in the city. For centuries, this place was a fish market. It was famous for having quality products, it was a place of constant fun and loud screams. For the construction of an ethnographic shopping complex, the place was chosen not by chance, but in accordance with historical facts.

The building was erected in the spirit of the architecture of Kaliningrad. The style of the building is antique, or half-timbered. There is something to see for curious tourists. And the name of the complex is appropriate - "Fish Village". Of course, the specialists failed to achieve a perfect resemblance to the old German buildings, but this was not required. The main purpose of the construction of the "Fish Village" was to decorate the embankment near the island of Kant. It really succeeded. At the moment, the complex is fully completed.

Perhaps, in the future, in the style of German architecture in Kaliningrad, on the embankment, other buildings will be built.

What are some interesting places to visit here?

1. Lighthouse. In fact, this is a view tower, which not only guests of the city, but also its indigenous people tend to visit. The fact is that it offers a beautiful view of the city,namely, its center. An iron seagull is installed in the upper part of the lighthouse. She is believed to grant wishes. To do this, you need to mentally ask her for something and stroke her sides. Climbing up the stairs, you can take interesting photos with standing figures of a monkey or a skipper. Here you can also see real knightly armor, taking pictures with them is also not prohibited. The staircase itself consists of 133 steps. A person who still mastered such a climb will be able to visit a coffee shop and an open gallery that leads to the hotel.

2. Information center. Here you can buy a variety of souvenirs. Vacationers buy a large number of amber products here. Also in the information center is a travel company specializing in various tours and excursions.
3. Entertainment center "River station". This office specializes in river walks. Prices here are varied and depend on the chosen walk.
4. Hotel "Shkiperskaya". It is located in the "Fish Village". Many vacationers stay here, as prices and service are more than satisfactory.

The most famous long-term construction in Kaliningrad

The House of Soviets is the most famous long-term construction of the city. The building has not been completed to this day. Many believe that it was erected on the site of the well-known Koenigsberg castle. In fact this is not true. The House of Soviets was built on the site of a moat adjacent to the castle.

Construction has begunin 1970. The department of urban planning and architecture of the city of Kaliningrad has been developing a plan for the construction of the building for several years. It was planned that it would not be one skyscraper, but two, interconnected by two passages at different levels. According to the architectural design, the House of Soviets was supposed to be a tall building of 28 floors. The surrounding area was to be landscaped. It was planned to place flower gardens, fountains and venues for concerts here.

In terms of architectural style, the building of the House of Soviets in Kaliningrad can be attributed to the Stalinist building. Construction was stopped at the moment when the building was almost finished. The problem was not only a lack of funding, but also that the site of the building was not strong enough soil.

The city administration was originally supposed to be located here, as its old building became unusable.

Historic buildings of Kaliningrad

The city has many buildings with a long history. These are remnants of the German era. Many of them have been restored and reconstructed. And some, unfortunately, were wiped off the face of the earth by wars or simply demolished. For example, the famous Koenigsberg castle. There is almost nothing left of it. Although the city administration has repeatedly thought about its restoration.

One of the oldest buildings in Kaliningrad that has survived to this day is the Cathedral. It is located on the island of Kneiphof. Its construction dates back to the 14th century.

In the post-war period, the cathedral wasthe only surviving building on the island. It was saved from demolition and complete destruction only by the argument that near its wall is the grave of the famous and well-known Immanuel Kant. Due to the fact that the Soviet authorities respected his memory, the building of the Cathedral was not demolished, but simply mothballed.

Restoration and restoration of the Cathedral began in 1994. The architects did not bypass the grave of the famous philosopher. Restoration work was carried out until 2005.

Another historical building in Kaliningrad is Louise's church. This building was built in 1901 in honor of Queen Louise. This Lutheran church was empty for a long time, as it was subject to destruction during the Great Patriotic War. Restoration of the building began only in 1976. There is a puppet museum here, which still functions today.

The history of Kaliningrad's buildings is very interesting and fascinating. Here, for example, is the Church of the Holy Family, built in 1907. As planned by the architect, peace and grace should have reigned here. It was believed that a person who visited this church would feel the presence of the spirit of Jesus Christ and his parents. In the church of the Holy Family, wedding or baptism ceremonies were held, but a memorial service never took place in this church. Currently, the church is not used for its intended purpose. The Philharmonic is located here.

City of Eight Bridges

Kaliningrad is a city not only of eight gates, but also of eight bridges. There were originally seven. The fact is that Koenigsbergwas divided into several parts: Lomse, Altstadt, Vorstadt, Kneiphof. For communication between them and the full life of the city, bridges began to be built. Each of them had its own name. All seven bridges were drawbridges. Later another one was built.

1. The High Bridge was built in 1520. He served for more than 300 years to connect the island of Lomse and Vorstadt. In 1882 it was reconstructed, and in 1938 it was completely demolished. The new High Bridge was built next to the old one. It has survived to this day. The last reconstruction was carried out in 2018.
2. The wooden bridge was built in 1404. The townspeople used this bridge for a long time. And in 1904, a new one was built on the site of the old Wooden Bridge. It was already a metal structure. But the name has been preserved. The bridge was refurbished in 2018. The building is recognized as an architectural monument of Kaliningrad.
3. The Honey Bridge was built in 1542 and rebuilt in 1882. Today it is pedestrian. Its release mechanism does not work. The last changes were made in 2018: the old paving stones were removed.
4. The double-deck bridge took 13 years to build (1913-1926). It is connected with the First World War. The bridge is designed for road traffic on the first tier and rail traffic on the second. In the last year of World War II, the two-tiered bridge was blown up by fascist troops. But already in 1949 it was restored. The building functions for its intended purpose today.
5. Palmburg Bridge, or Berlin Bridge, was built in 1938, and inIn 1945, it was blown up, just like the Bunkyard. It was later restored. But in 2016, the Berlin Bridge was demolished and a new one was built in its place.
6. Theatrical - built in 1906, and in 2002 a major overhaul was carried out here.
7. Yubileyny bridge is the youngest in Kaliningrad. It was built in 2005.
8. Trestle - built instead of Green and Shop. Built in 1972 and currently in operation.

There were 2 more bridges in Kaliningrad, which, unfortunately, have not been preserved.

1. Green - connected the islands of Vorstadt and Kneiphof. Built in 1322. In 1907, it underwent a major reconstruction, and later, in 1972, it was replaced by the Trestle.
2. Blacksmith's - built in 1397. Its function was to connect the islands of Altstadt and Kneiphof. The bridge got its name due to the fact that blacksmith shops were located near it. Initially, the bridge deck was made of boards. Later, in 1787, they were replaced. And in 1896 the bridge underwent reconstruction and was decorated with decorative elements. In the same year, he became divorced. During the war, the bridge was destroyed and not rebuilt.

Gothic in Kaliningrad

Gothic architecture of Kaliningrad can be observed mainly in churches and kirchs.

1. Kircha Juditten. Its construction is attributed to the end of the 13th century (1288). This is the oldest building in Kaliningrad. Initially, the building was intended not only to house the church in it. It also served as a fortress. A century later, the church began to be used by the Livonian and Teutonic orders. Since 1985 in the churchhoused the Orthodox St. Nicholas Church.
2. Arnau Church built at the beginning of the 14th century. Located in the nearby village of Rodniki. Despite the fact that the interior decoration, of course, has not been preserved, some fragments of unique frescoes have survived. You can see biblical scenes on them. This church is also famous for the fact that one of the Prussian presidents, Theodor von Schön, is buried near it. The building currently houses an Orthodox church.



3. Kirch Rosenau. This church began to be built in 1914, but the construction stopped due to the outbreak of the First World War. Work resumed only in 1925. During the Great Patriotic War, the church was practically not damaged, it suffered minor damage. And at the moment it houses the Church of the Intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
4. Kirch Neuhausen. Founded in 1350, located a few kilometers from the city. The building has belonged to the New Apostolic community since 1922.
5. Kirch Ponart. This is the most beautiful church in the city. It was erected later than the others, in 1897. The war had no effect on the state of the church. It is perfectly preserved both externally and internally. Now there is an Orthodox church here, as in other churches.
6. Kirch Tarau. The building was built in 1350. Surprisingly, the church was practically not damaged during the war years. But time did not spare the building, and its stone vault was destroyed. The property is currently empty. Restoration work underway.

All churches are bright examplesGerman architecture of Kaliningrad. Gothic is an integral part of it.

City attractions

In addition to historical and architectural monuments, Kaliningrad has many other interesting places to visit.

1. Temple of Christ the Savior. This is a relatively young building. The church was erected in 2006 in the Vladimir-Suzdal style. The building is quite impressive. Its height is 51 meters.



2. Museum located on a submarine. Here you can see exhibits dedicated to the history of the navy. Previously, the submarine served the Northern Fleet. It has been used for its intended purpose for over 30 years.
3. Museum of amber items. Here are the most interesting and beautiful exhibits. They are different in shape and color. Some of them are of historical value.
4. Drama theatre. The building in which the theater is located previously belonged to a German troupe. Here you can watch various productions of world classics.
5. Fort. This is an old building from the end of the 19th century. During the war, the building was badly damaged and was almost destroyed. Today, restoration work is underway here.
6. Monument to Baron Munchausen, erected in 2005.
7. Park "Youth". This recreation area was created during the annexation of Kaliningrad to the Soviet Union.
8. Kant Botanical Garden. Here you can take a walk in the fresh air and enjoy the beauty of a variety of trees, shrubs and flower beds. At the momentmore than 2,500 plants grow in the botanical garden.
9. Zoo. Today, more than 3,000 individuals (more than 300 species of animals) live here.
10. Bunker. This is an ancient building located underground, at a depth of 7 meters. During the Great Patriotic War there really was a bunker belonging to the German troops. There are 21 rooms inside. Guided tours are held here.
11. Vityaz vessel. The ship participated in multiple research expeditions. Despite the fact that the ship was made by German builders, it managed to visit more than one flag.
12. Amalienau. This is a district of the city, which houses old mansions, the architects of which were famous Prussian craftsmen.

Based on all of the above, we can conclude that the city of Kaliningrad is rich in various architectural monuments. This is not surprising. After all, Kaliningrad is a city with a long history. It combines buildings from different eras and invariably attracts the attention of tourists. A person who finds himself in the city should definitely see its sights, historical buildings, museums, gates and bridges. All this will leave an unforgettable impression of the city.