City BasiCs 3
CominG to KalininGRaD 4
CatHeDRal in KalininGRaD 7
FaCts & FiGuRes 13
WalKinG aRounD KalininGRaD 15
Russian Banya 20
WalKinG aRounD KalininGRaD 22
HistoRy oF KalininGRaD 27
CalenDaR oF eVents 28
loW PRiCes 36
House oF soViets 37
eVent manaGement in KalininGRaD anD tHe ReGion 38
Russian Cuisine 41
amBeR 42
CuRonian sPit 44
FoRts oF KalininGRaD 47
Hotels maP i RestauRants maP 52
sHoPPinG CentRes oF KalininGRaD 56
2
City BasiCs loCal time
Customs Kaliningrad is located in the UTC +
Because of the sanctions and counter- 2 hour zone. Russia decided to drop
daylight saving in 2011. Therefore, time
sanctions imposed in recent times, you throughout Russia remains the same
should pay particular attention to the items all year round. It means that between
you try to bring in or take out of Russia. the last Sunday in October and the
You are permitted to bring up to 3 liters last Sunday in March, when it is 12:00
of alcohol and 200 cigarettes (10 packs) in Kaliningrad, it is 13:00 in Moscow;
into Russia. Meat from Lithuania, Latvia, 11:00 in Warsaw and Berlin, 10:00 in
Estonia and Poland is not permitted to London, 05:00 in New York and 02:00 in
be brought. You should also note that San Francisco.
it is forbidden to take amber out of the
region unless it has been purchased in a
registered store which has provided you
with a proof of purchase.
money Between the last weekend in March
and the last weekend in October, when
The Russian currency is called it is 12:00 in Kaliningrad, it is 13:00 in
the Ruble (RUB). Notes come in Moscow; 12:00 in Warsaw and Berlin,
denominations of 5000, 1000, 500, 11:00 in London, 06:00 in New York and
100, 50, and 10 Rubles, and there are 03:00 in San Francisco. One interesting
10, 5, 2 and 1 Ruble coins. One Ruble fact is that Russia has 11 different time
equals to 100 kopeyka which come in zones, making the celebration of the
50 and 10 kopeyka coins. Currency New Year a very long party. Cities in
can be exchanged at banks or you can different time zones celebrate their own
withdraw currency from a bank machine New Year, but the main celebration is
using your bank card. The exchange marked when the clock strikes midnight
rate does not vary a lot, so you will see in Moscow. Kaliningrad is the only place
pretty much the same numbers in the in Russia where people celebrate New
different banks. Year one hour after Moscow.
3
CominG to KalininGRaD
By Bus
Visitors are offered a regular bus connection
with several towns of Lithuania, Poland,
Germany, Latvia, Estonia, Ukraine and
Belarus.
Phone number of Yuzhny vokzal (bus station
South): +7 (4012) 64-36-35
Phone number of International bus station
KoenigAuto: +7 (4012) 99-91-99
Phone number of Transport company
Zelenogradsk-Trans: +7 (4012) 581-890
By aiR
Airlines operating at the airport Kaliningrad-
Khrabrovo : Rossiya, Aeroflot, S7, Nordavia,
Ukraine International Airlines, Belavia,
Transaero, Utair, Uzbekistan Airways, Ural
Airlines, Severstal.
The airport provides flights to: Moscow,
Saint Petersburg, Murmansk, Cherepovets,
Warsaw (Poland), Brest (Belarus), Gomel
(Belarus), Grodno (Belarus), Minsk (Belarus),
Kiev (Ukraine), Tashkent (Uzbekistan).
More detailed information is available on the
following website:
www.kgd.aero
By CaR (road fork with A-229)-Bolshakovo-Sovetsk-
Lithuanian border (then towards Siauliai, Riga).
The Kaliningrad region has a developed hard
surface road network. The majority of the roads -Kaliningrad-Zelenogradsk-Rybachy-
do not comply with the broadness standard Lithuanian border (then towards Klaipeda; goes
accepted in Russia; moreover, they are notable along the Curonian Spit, environmental fee is
for their tortuosity. The speed on most of the charged).
roads in the Kaliningrad region is limited to
70 km/h (not 90 km/h) because of the trees - Kaliningrad-Ladushkin-Mamonovo-Polish
growing along the roads and posing a serious border (then towards Elblag and Gdansk).
threat. The exception is the highway ‘Littoral
Ring’, the main part of which has a speed limit - Kaliningrad-Bagrationovsk-Polish border
of 90-110 km/h. This highway is still under (then towards Warsaw).
construction, but most of it has already been
put into commission and represents a ring next
to the coast of the peninsula of Kaliningrad.
Without going through settlements, it has
branches to Khrabrovo airport and the main
towns of the coast.
major roads are the following:
- the Littoral Ring: Kaliningrad-Khrabrovo
-Zelenogradsk-Pionersky-Svetlogorsk-
Yantarny-Baltiysk-Svetly.
-A-229:Kaliningrad-Znamensk-
Chernyakhovsk-Gusev-Nesterov-Lithuanian
border (then towards Vilnius and Minsk).
-A-216:Kaliningrad-Znamensk-Talpaki
4
By tRain document or visa. The duration of stay is
no longer than 6 hours. The Facilitated Rail
The railway station of Kaliningrad Transit Document does not allow crossing
provides communication with such cities the Lithuanian border by other means of
as: Moscow, Saint Petersburg, Chelyabinsk, transport. It is issued only for citizens of
Adler, Murmansk, Gomel. Communication Russia.
with some of the cities is possible only in the
summer period. Citizens of other countries have to obtain
their own transit information: they have to be
In order to be allowed to travel from allowed to visit all EU and non-EU countries
Kaliningrad to other parts of Russia and en route (e.g. Belarus).
back crossing the Lithuanian border, citizens
of the Russian Federation have to be issued cyclist route, which lies along the Baltic
a special document – Facilitated Rail Transit coast. On the other hand, you will have an
Document (FRTD). In order to get it, a opportunity to visit the famous Romintskaya
Russian citizen has to buy a ticket at any Pushcha (a forest, the former German
booking office in the Russian Federation not Rominten Heide). Over the centuries,
later than 28 hours before departure. The they were the hunting grounds of Eastern
consular officers of the Republic of Lithuania Prussian rulers. The south-eastern territory
can issue this document immediately after of the Kaliningrad region is a paradise for
the passenger has filled-in the special form cyclists. Multipath roads are combined
in one of the transit trains travelling through here with very low traffic. Unfortunately, the
the territory of the Republic of Lithuania. majority of Rominta lies in the border zone
and its visiting is limited (access only with
Russian citizens are not allowed to travel a Border Guard Service permit). You are
by train without a valid facilitated transit allowed to cross this territory only in transit.
By BiCyCle Another Russian-Polish crossing point
is Mamonovo-Gronowo (54026’20.00’’N
Experienced cyclist tips 19054’05.00’’E). It is designed for passenger
When you come to the border, do not wait cars, buses and small trucks. Crossing
in the car line, but ride up to the checkpoint the border on foot is not permitted here.
bar straight away. As soon as the lights turn However, cyclists are allowed to cross,
green, you need to proceed to the border as the bicycle is a vehicle. It should be
crossing with the cars. You should choose mentioned that most cyclists tend to cross
the line where passenger cars are inspected.
Be confident and polite. Go straight to the 5
border control zone (if you are entering
Russia) or customs control (if you are leaving
Russia). In case of a mistake, an official
of the checkpoint will help you. Customs
officers are often concerned with document
checks and car inspecting. You should not
wait for a long time – come to the window
and say that you are crossing the border by
bicycle. In general, they just let you move
on as there are no documents required to
be checked. The customs officers may only
ask you to show your personal belongings.
Crossing the Russian-Lithuanian border at
the checkpoint Morskoe-Nida usually does
not cause any problems in both directions.
If you are going from the Kaliningrad region
to Lithuania (or in the opposite direction), we
advise you to cross the border through this
point, as it is situated in the territory of the
Curonian Spit National Park and you will be
able to enjoy the splendour of coniferous
forests, sand dunes and other places of
note. In addition, there is a quite well-
asphalted road and the traffic is not heavy.
You may cross the Russian-Polish border
through the checkpoint Gusev-Goldap
(54020’31.00’’ N 22017’54.00’’E). However,
it is situated far to the east from the main
the border at this place, as it is a direct road bicycle (which is nowadays quite an unusual
to Gdansk, Frombork, Elblag (Poland), and occurrence), you may catch a minibus or a
it is also the shortest transit way for cyclists small truck and ask the driver to help you
coming from Poland to go to Lithuania cross the border. It works this way: you
across the Kaliningrad region. cross the border by transport, then pass 100
m, and finally you get out and go on your
The crossing point Bagrationovsk-Bezledy own. This is absolutely legal. You can also
(54022’20.00’’N 20039’35.00’’E) is designed ask one of the customs officers to stop a car
for passenger cars, buses and trucks. This for you. Most drivers would not refuse the
is the place where trucks generally cross authorities’ request.
the border so we advise you not to use this
point unless necessary. Note: the given text represents a short
adapted version from a multipage document
If you get stuck at the Russian-Polish for foreign tourists coming by bicycle, which
border for some reason, do not be was drawn up by myself in English in 2006
discouraged, but take it as an adventure. after numerous requests from those who
When having a conversation with Russian had faced problems crossing the Kaliningrad
authorities at the border you should be region. The document is updated yearly. You
polite, but insistent on your wish to visit the can also find it below.
Kaliningrad region (or Poland). If you still
get turned back at the border when riding a
Online sOurCes where yOu Can get infOrmatiOn
aBOut entertainment in KaliningraD
Entertainment in Kaliningrad Friedland Gates, Museum
www.afisha.ru/kaliningrad www.fvmuseum.ru
Regional tourism information Zoo
center Kaliningrad www.kldzoo.ru
www.visit-kaliningrad.ru
Kaliningrad Art Gallery
Amber museum www.ambermuseum.ru www.kaliningradartmuseum.ru
Museum of the World Ocean Curonian spit National park
www.world-ocean.ru www.park-kosa.ru
Kaliningrad Regional History and Art Museum www.westrussia.org
6
Cathedral in Kaliningrad
The new cathedral was devoted to the the Prussian Parliament from 1849-1862 is
Sacred Christ’s Body. In 1528, the cathedral in the south side of the cathedral’s territory,
became the property of the district of where ‘bishop square’ is located.
Kneiphof.
In the northern part of the cathedral’s tower,
The cathedral used to be the place where Chancellor Martin von Wallenrodt founded the
the most eminent representatives of the Wallenrodt Library. Its collection accounted for
Church and the most significant citizens of more than 10 thousand books about Prussian
the city were buried. There are more than a history and the history of nobility.
hundred gravestones and epitaphs inside and
outside of Cathedral, which date from different In 1591, the altar part of the cathedral
periods of time and have different art levels. was completely rebuilt and new altar was
constructed. In 1721, a big organ was
The first burial site is dated from 1335 and brought to the cathedral. However, in 1888
is the burial of Ludger von Braunschweig - it was replaced with a new one made by M.
the Great Magister of Teutonic Orden. The Sterletskiy.
latest burial dates from 1809 and is the
burial of the still born son of Prince Wilhelm. Many times the cathedral has been on fire
and every time it has been restored. In 1833,
In the northern part of the cathedral there it was completely repaired. During the Second
is the professorial burial place founded World War, it was significantly damaged. The
in 1588. On February 28, 1804 the great interior was completely destroyed; only a small
German philosopher Immanuel Kant was amount of the gravestones and epitaphs stayed
buried there. safe and remained untouched by the bombs.
In 1992, the cathedral was restored again
The grave of Julius Rupp, the founder of and now it is one of the oldest monuments of
the Free Catholic - Evangelic Community, a architecture in the Kaliningrad region, having a
representative of the democratic movement large art-architectural and historic meaning.
of 40th of the XIX century, and a member of
7
touRist Route
«FRom one sPit to anotHeR»
Regional tourism information Center
4 Prospekt Mira St, phone number:
+7(4012)555200
www.visit-kaliningrad.ru
Beach resorts are the trademark of the the sand it gives a distinctive whistle, which
is the reason why the sand here is called
Kaliningrad region. they acquired their ‘singing sand’.
great reputation thanks to the magnificent You can rest and swim at the sea beaches
near the settlements Lesnoy, Rybachy,
coastline, stretching for almost 150 km – Morskoe and the holiday camp Dunes on
the 7th, 14th and 42nd kilometer marks of
from the Curonian spit to the Baltic spit. the Spit.
every part of the Kaliningrad seaside is There is a promenade with cafes on the
beach in the settlement Lesnoy. There are
unique and unmatched in its own way. many guest houses, holiday camps and
hotels, as well as small shops where you
We will start our journey with the Curonian can buy fresh or smoked fish. The nearest
Spit National Park. We will walk along its sights are the King’s pine forest (4.5 km)
beaches and then will head to the north and the museum complex Curonian Spit
of the peninsula Sambia to walk along the National Park (3 km).
promenades of resort towns Zelenogradsk
and Svetlogorsk. Then we will head to the The settlement Rybachy has beautiful
south, to the coastline of the town Yantarny, wide beaches. The road there runs through
where people collect amber and catch a pine forest. You can rent a water scooter
favourable winds on surf boards and sailing at the Altrimo Hotel. The nearest sights are
yachts. Lastly, we will come to the wide the Muller’s Height (2 km) and the Dancing
beaches of Baltiysk and the Baltic Spit, Forest (4 km).
half-wild nature of which will leave you in
amazement. The settlement Morskoe is the farthest
settlement in the Russian part of the
1. Curonian Spit Curonian Spit. There is one of the highest
dunes in Europe not far from the Morskoe
The Curonian Spit presents a variety of settlement - dune Orekhovaya (Petsch).
landscapes: sand dunes, coniferous forests Its peak (64 m) was called Epha’s Height
and pine groves. From one side the Spit is in honour of forester Franz Epha who
washed by the Baltic Sea, from the other
by the Curonian Lagoon. The beaches
stretching along the Spit have clear fine
crystal sand. The sand grains’ structure and
size are so peculiar, that when you step on
8
studied dunes and dedicated his research can get to the settlement Zaostrovye,
to finding the ways of stopping them from adjoining Pionersky. The governmental
moving. From the viewing platforms you residence of the Russian Federation has
can enjoy all the beauty of the Curonian Spit recently been built here. A yacht marina
landscapes: sea, lagoon, open white dunes, and tourist recreational complex, Prussian
moving sands, forests, and cozy houses in village, are planned to be built in the future.
the settlement Morskoe. There is a splendid Fans of volleyball and outdoor games will
beach near the lagoon where water warms appreciate the size of the local beach. One
up to 27°С in summer. The nearest sights of the sights of the town is the Stone of Lies
are the Epha’s Height (2 km) and Lake – a gigantic stone, cracked into two uneven
Lebed (2 km). pieces. It is situated on the coast of the river
Chistaya near the railway line of Pionersky-
2. Zelenogradsk Svetlogorsk. It is said that a liar will not be
able to pass between the two cracked parts.
4. Svetlogorsk
In this resort town you can walk along the The town is situated on a high bold
beautiful esplanade, the town’s promenade coast. Seven slopes and a ropeway lead
with an extended beach and a large park, to the sea. The beach in Svetlogorsk is
which merges with the pine forest outside not homogeneous, as sand and pebble
the town. The beach is covered with fine interchange with each other. When the
bleached sand, changing to sea coast weather is hot the beach is quite crowded on
dunes. The bottom terrain of the sea at the weekends, as it is probably the most popular
coastline is flat and even. There is a pump beach resort in the Kaliningrad region. The
room at the promenade, where everybody water here is clean and clear. Sometimes
can satisfy their thirst with a cup of healing seaweed washes ashore – they actively
table water ‘Zelenogradskaya’. The town’s produce iodine in the sun, which is well
beach runs along the promenade. assimilated by the human organism and is
good for the thyroid. The water temperature
The trademark of the beach resort in of the sea in Svetlogorsk is always 0.5-1°С
Zelenogradsk is the so-called ‘skovorodka’ lower than in Zelenogradsk due to deeper
(‘frying pan’) – a beach, closed from the wind water and the different direction of the
from the sea side by the dunes. Initially, the stream.
local residents considered the ‘skovorodka’
as a perfect place for sunbathing and Three of the seven slopes lead to the
outdoor games, but recently it has become town’s promenade, where cafes, bars,
the venue for the beach volleyball world outdoor and indoor restaurants are open
cup (July-August) and open air festival of from spring to autumn. At night, open air
electronic music Amber Beach (August). discos are held for the residents and guests
of Svetlogorsk. Here you can also rent a
3. Pionersky water scooter.
Pionersky is situated on a high 30-metre During the hottest hours (from 12.00
coast, where there opens a magnificent to 16.00), when sunbathing is not
view of the Baltic coastline. There is the recommended, you can take a ride on a
longest sea promenade in the Kaliningrad bicycle or roller skate around the town, you
region (about 2 km). From the beach you can rent them in the centre of the town.
5. Yantarny
The widest beach of the Kaliningrad
region coastline is located in a small and
cozy town called Yantarny. The town is well
landscaped and boasts a great number
of active leisure possibilities. The beach
is equipped with sunloungers and straw
9
umbrellas. You can rest and have a drink or deep at the coast. If you are not fond of hot
meal in a nearby restaurant-bungalow, built weather, then this place will definitely suit
in the form of a Roman galley. There is a you, as you can go to grassy meadows from
sports venue on the beach, where regional the beach, covered with trees and bushes,
and international competitions of beach and hide from the heat. The second beach
football and volleyball have taken place for is situated on the territory of the tourist
several years now. Moreover, this part of the complex Baltic Seaside, where you can walk
seaside is very popular among local surfers along the promenade made of the unique
due to constant winds. Siberian larch, have a refreshing cocktail at
one of the numerous cafes or have fun in
We also recommend you to rent a bicycle one of the open air parties, which are very
in the centre of the town and ride to Lake popular in summer.
Sinyavino, which represents a flooded
quarry 30 m deep. A forest, narrow-gauge Fans of untouched nature can visit the
railway, and certain technical constructions Baltic Spit by ferry, which departs from
were left underwater. Under the guidance of the town’s quay at the monument to Peter
local diving clubs, you can make a test dive the Great. The Baltic Spit is a place with
or go for an underwater trip. marvelous nature, which is as magnificent
as its elder sister, the Curonian Spit. Most of
6. Baltiysk the plants here are included in the Red List.
Baltiysk is the westernmost town in The width of the beaches with soft fine sand
Russia. There is a big seaport and ferry reaches 30-40 m.
terminal. There are also two beaches in
the town. The first one spreads along the
monument to Catherine the Great. It is wide
and with an even bottom, but it is also very
10
11
12
FaCts & FiGuRes
teRRitoRy
Kaliningrad is a centre of the Russian
Kaliningrad region, which occupies a large
part of what used to be German East Prussia.
Kaliningrad is a seaport city and is a Russian
exclave that is geographically separated from
the rest of Russia by Lithuania to the east and
Poland to the west.
The Kaliningrad region covers an area of
15,000 square kilometers and borders Poland,
Lithuania and the Baltic Sea. In contrast to
the south-eastern part of the region, the area
around the city is relatively low-lying, although
the northern part is located on a small hill,
rather grandly named the Northern Mount. The river Pregolya (Pregel, in German) runs from east
to west of the region through the centre of the city, flowing into the Vistula Lagoon. Pregolya
is the longest river in the Kaliningrad region (its length is 123 km) and flows through not only
Kaliningrad but also Chernyakhovsk, Znamensk and Gvardeisk. It starts as a confluence of the
Instruch and the Angrapa rivers and falls out into the Baltic Sea through the Vistula Lagoon.
Kaliningrad has a number of lakes and ponds, some of which are natural and some man-
made (as part of the city fortifications); also, there are many parks and other places, where you
can walk and relax. Baltiysk is a seaport town, which is located in the northern part of the Vistula
Spit, separating the Vistula Lagoon from Gdansk Bay. It is the westernmost town of Russia and
is also a home to the Russian Baltic Fleet.
Kaliningrad is closer to Berlin (527 km) and Prague (659 km) than to Moscow (1289 km) and
St. Petersburg (797 km). The closest large cities are found in neighbouring Poland and Lithuania.
PoPulation
The population of Kaliningrad amounts to a little less than 500,000 inhabitants, not including
the residents of the surrounding area who each day travel to Kaliningrad to work. Most of
the population are Russian, Ukrainian and Belarusian, although there are also Armenian,
Tatar, Lithuanian, Polish and German minorities. The number of immigrants from the southern
republics of the former Soviet Union is much lower than in St. Petersburg and Moscow.
PoPulation (souRCe GKs.Ru 2016)
Russia 146,267,288
moscow 12,197,596
saint Petersburg 5,191,690
Kaliningrad 453,461
Kaliningrad region 941,873
Russian 87.4%
ukrainian 4%
Belarusian 3.8%
armenian 0.7%
tatar 0.5%
13
14
WalKinG aRounD touRist Route
KalininGRaD
If you want to see the city fortifications of Koenigsberg, walk around the new districts of
Kaliningrad, listen to an organ music concert in the Cathedral Church, have a cup of coffee
in the new complex Fishing Village, we invite you to follow this itinerary.
The route starts from the Regional Tourism Information Center, goes along
Chernyakhovskogo St., Litovsky Val St. and Oktyabrskaya St. Route length: 7km.
3 ReGional liBRaRy
The former building of the state province
archives is a monument of the Bauhaus
architectural style. Now it is the regional library.
39-11, Prospekt mira st.
1 GoVeRnment oF tHe
KalininGRaD ReGion
The land financial administration was situated
in the building in Koenigsberg.
1, D.Donskogo st.
4 BaltiC Fleet
HeaDquaRteRs
Behind the monument to Peter the Great
the Baltic Fleet Headquarters ascends. It was
built during WWI as a general post office.
42, ushakova st.
2 monument to F.sCHilleR
The monument by Cauer is an important 5 FiGHtinG Bisons
part of the city’s history. According to a sCulPtuRe
legend, after the assault on Koenigsberg an
unknown Russian soldier wrote on it: ‘Don’t The sculpture by August Gaul was
shoot. He is a proletarian poet’, and as a presented to the city in 1912 and became
result the monument remained intact. one of its symbols. Koenigsberg citizens
called it the Bisons Prosecutor and Attorney,
intersection of Prospekt mira st. and as there was a court right behind them.
teatralnaya st.
15
6 KalininGRaD state 9 CatHeDRal
teCHniCal uniVeRsity oF CHRist tHe saViouR
The university is situated in the building of The main cathedral of the region
former Koenigsberg administrative and land is constructed in the Vladimir-Suzdal
courts. architectural style and its capacity is about
three thousand people. The height of the
1, sovetskiy Prospekt st. building, including the cross, is 73 metres.
2, Pobedy square
7 KalininGRaD
Business CenteR
Prior to the war, the building belonged to 10 PlosCHaD PoBeDy
the North Railroad Station. After the war it (ViCtoRy squaRe)
became a cross-scheduled sailor’s house.
4, Pobedy square
Its former name is Hansaplatz. On
the occasion of the 750th anniversary
of Koenigsberg-Kaliningrad a triumphal
column was constructed in the centre of the
square.
8 KalininGRaD City 11 uPPeR PonD
aDministRation (VeRKHneye laKe)
Constructed in 1923, the building was part
of the Eastern Fair and then served as a city
hall. Today, it fulfills similar functions – both
the Major’s Office and the City Council are
situated there. The building was reconstructed
in the 1970s beyond recognition.
1, Pobedy square
16
11 uPPeR PonD are well-preserved medallions with portraits
(VeRKHneye laKe) of generals Scharnhorst and Gneisenau.
There is a restaurant Solnechniy Kamen
The former Oberteich (Upper Pond) was inside the gate.
built at the end of the 13th century by knights
of the Teutonic Order as a permanent fishing 3, Vasilevskogo square
area.
12 DoHna toWeR 14 oBeRteiCH Bastion
The tower is a part of fortifications forming the A reduit, half-caponier, casemate of the
Second Defense Ring of Koenigsberg. Dohna reduit have been preserved to our times,
Tower is a ‘twin brother’ of Wrangel Tower. Since which now serve as warehouses, shops and
the late 1970s, the tower has hosted the Amber cafes.
Museum which gives a rare opportunity to have a
look at the planning and the interior of the tower. 5, litovsky Val st.
Working hours: from May to September:
10:00–19:00, from October to April: 10:00–
18:00 (closed on Monday).
Tel.: +7 (4012) 46-68-88,
www.ambermuseum.ru
1, Vasilevskogo square
15 KRonPRinz DeFense
BaRRaCKs
13 RossGaRten Gate Built during1843–1848 in neo-Gothic
style, the barracks were quite a powerful fort
The Rossgarten Gate was built during at the time. The building was surrounded
1852–1855 and along with the King’s Gate by a ditch before the First World War and
is the main contender for the title of the could independently participate in military
most beautiful gate of the city. The facade operations not only on the outside, but also
combines the power of a defensive building inside the fortress. An exhibition hall of the
with a touch of tracery typical of Gothic National Centre for Contemporary Arts is
churches. Above the central archway there located in the tower of the barracks.
38, litovsky Val st.
17
WE SUGGEST THAT YOU TAKE
Bus # 2, 45, 49 OR ELECTRIC
Bus # 2, 7 TO REACH THE
KALININGRAD ART GALLERY
16 GRolman Bastion
The bastion is part of the defensive 19 aRt GalleRy
buildings of Koenigsberg. It was named
after General Karl Wilhelm von Grolman. Working hours: 10:00–18:00, on Thursday:
He reformed the Prussian army and proved 10:00–21:00 (closed on Monday) Tel.: +7
himself in battles against Napoleon. There (4012) 46-71-43,
are earth mounds with secret passages and
rooms to the right and left of the bastion. www.kaliningradartmuseum.ru
21, litovsky Val st. 60-62, moskovsky Prospekt st
17 KinG’s Gate
The King’s Gate was considered by most 20 FisHinG VillaGe
people as one of the most beautiful gates in
the city. The fa ade facing the city centre is The Fishing Village is an ethnographic
decorated with the sculptures of Ottokar II, craft trading centre built on the occasion
Friedrich I and Duke Albrecht. Having been of the 750th anniversary of Koenigsberg-
heavily damaged during the Second World Kaliningrad in various architectural styles
War the gate was restored for the city’s of the old city (romanticism, classicism,
anniversary in 2005. Today the King’s Gate baroque, fachwerk). Today, there are hotels,
houses a branch of the Museum of the World restaurants, cafes and a viewing point on
Ocean – the Grand Embassy Historical and the lighthouse.
Cultural Center, dedicated to the famous
diplomatic mission of Peter the Great. 2-8, oktyabrskaya st.
Working hours: 10:00–19:00, on Thursday:
13:00–21:00 (closed on Monday, Tuesday)
Tel.: +7 (4012) 58-12-72, www.world-ocean.
ru/ru/velikoe-posolstvo
112, Frunze st.
18 saCKHeim Gate
61, litovsky Val st
18
21 monument to alBReCHt 22 KoeniGsBeRG CatHeDRal
oF BRanDenBuRG anD immanuel Kant
museum
Albrecht was the last Grand Master of
the Teutonic Order and the first Herzog of Koenigsberg Cathedral was built in the
Prussia. He created the first protestant 14th century in North German Gothic style.
state in Europe in 1525 and founded the Today, Koenigsberg Cathedral houses
Koenigsberg University in 1544, which was Orthodox and Protestant chapels, museum
named Albertina after him. The old university expositions dedicated to regional history,
building was situated at the place where the and an organ hall.
monument to Albrecht stands.
Working hours: 09:00–17:00
Kant’s island Tel.: +7 (4012) 63-17-05,
www.sobor-kaliningrad.ru
Kant’s island
23 immanuel Kant’s tomB
One of the greatest philosophers
Immanuel Kant was born, lived and died
in Koenigsberg. He studied in Koenigsberg
University, subsequently becoming its
professor. During the war the Kant’s Tomb
miraculously remained intact.
Kant’s island
19
Russian
Banya
What is the Russian bath? Each broom has a period harmful substances such
For a person who has never when it should be laid in. as salts, toxins, and
been there, it is associated A birch broom is harvested destroyed cellular debris
with a room made of wood after Pentecost in early are evaporated, so that our
with a high temperature, June, oak - in July. skin and body are cleansed.
where people hit each other Furthermore, the bath
with brooms until losing What does a bath give reduces the fat in the cells,
consciousness. For a man us? It is here where we fighting an excess weight.
who understands - Bath - can ensure that our blood
is a source of physical and is in any point of the body, After the bath it is
mental balance, where the and increase immunity. The recommended to plunge into
wood, temperature and bath gives us a feeling of the cold water. Not warm or
whisk itself must be correct. complete relaxation, both cool, but in the cold. It has
And the right broom begins physical and emotional. also a positive effect on the
with choosing the right tree. whole organism, increasing
With the help of the its resistance to illnesses.
bath, unnecessary and
20
Red Club sauna «Bagheera»
Sauna Sauna
Str. Professor Sevastyanov, 14 Prospect Pobedy, 54a
8 (401) 277-21-19 8 (401) 277-02-31
sauna athena sauna
Sauna Pool
Str. Tchaikovsky, 39 Str. Chernyshevskogo, 24
8 (401) 276-82-40 8 (401) 293-43-03
era spa style, sauna
Sauna Sauna
Str. Kaliningradskaja 35a Str. Lieutenant Yanalova, 42
8 (401) 2777-015 8 (401) 291-63-31
Bath with Grieg eden, sauna
Public baths Sauna
Str. Grieg 58 Prospekt Sovietskiy, 12
8 (401) 256-33-33
8 (401) 253-85-81
teremok, sauna luck
Sauna Sauna
Str. Gornaya, 3 Str. Alexander Nevsky, 36b
8 (401) 236-86-06
8 (401) 295-77-15
Riverside mermaid
country club Sauna
Str. Yaltanskaya 20A Str. Lieutenant Yanalova, 17G
8 (401) 275-55-55 8 (401) 277-47-17
sauna Carousel Vesuvius
Sauna Sauna
Str. Musketeers, 8 Str. Alexander Nevsky, 44
8 (401) 276-76-93 8 (401) 239-00-01
sauna neptune
Sauna Sauna
Str. Litovskiy Val, 40 Str. Portovaya 1
8 (401) 237-51-27
8 (401) 264-34-89
aphrodite BatH
Sauna Sauna
Str. Klinicheskaya, 83A Str. Lieutenant Yanalova 11
8 (401) 235-65-14 8 (401) 238-66-20
21
WalKinG aRounD touRist Route
KalininGRaD
To get a sense of the Koenigsberg of the 20th century you can have a walk around
the city’s old district Amalienau. Here you will find plenty of well-preserved villas built in
individual projects. F. Lars, H. Hopp, K.Frick, F. Heitmann, P. Brostovski and other famous
architects of that time actively contributed to the creation of Koenigsberg as a ‘garden city’.
The route starts from the Regional Tourism Information Center, goes along Prospect Mira
St., Kutuzova St. and D.Donskogo St. Route length: 5.6 km
1 DRama tHeatRe 3 mosKVa Hotel
4, Prospekt mira st. The building was constructed in constructivism
style for an insurance society before the Second
World War during 1935–1936.
19, Prospekt mira st.
2 zoo
The zoo was founded in 1896. As a result of 4 CHilDRen aRt sCHool
the assault on Koenigsberg in 1945, the zoo
was severely damaged and only four animals The building used to be the home of Hufen
survived: a fallow deer, a badger, a donkey gymnasium’s principal.
and a wounded hippopotamus. Thanks to
veterinarians’ great effort, hippopotamus 28, Prospekt mira st.
Gans survived and became the symbol of the
Kaliningrad Zoo.
Working hours: from May to September:
9:00–20:00, from October to April: 9:00–17:00,
Tel.: +7 (4012) 21-89-14, www.kldzoo.ru
26, Prospekt mira st.
22
Some of the park’s territory was occupied
by the Louisenwahl park, one of the most
beautiful parks of Koenigsberg. Today, there
are various amusement rides, summer stages
and monuments to V. Visotsky and Baron
Munchhausen.
Beginning of the Prospekt Pobedy st.
5 zaRya Cinema
One of the last constructed buildings in
Koenigsberg before the war was Scala Cinema.
Today, Zarya Cinema is situated there.
41-43, Prospekt mira st.
8 PuPPet tHeatRe
The theatre is situated in the former Queen
Louise church, built on the boundary of the 19-
20th centuries.
1, Prospekt Pobedy st.
6 CommemoRatiVe toKen
to FelloW-CountRymen
Cosmonauts
The monument was installed in 1980 in honor
of Kaliningrad citizens – conquerors of space:
Aleksey Leonov, Viktor Patsaev and Yuriy
Romanenko.
7 CentRal PaRK oF 9 House oF aRtists
CultuRe anD leisuRe
3, Prospekt Pobedy st.
10 KutuzoVa stReet
DistRiCt
The central street of the old district Amalienau.
23
24
11 CHuRCH oF st. aDalBeRt founder of the observatory was outstanding
astronomer F.Bessel.
The church was built in 1904 for the Catholic
community of Koenigsberg. After the war it was intersection of Gvardeysky Prospekt
partly renovated. Now the Institute of Terrestrial st. and Gornaya st.
Magnetism, Ionosphere and Radio Wave
Propagation is located there.
41, Prospekt Pobedy st.
12 monument to 14 monument to tHe
luDWiG RHesa HeRoes oF WoRlD WaR
one
The monument to one of the professors of
Albertina, the ‘Lithuanian Lomonosov’, was The Kaliningrad region is the only territory of
presented by Lithuania on the 750th anniversary Russia where the First World War took place.
of Kaliningrad.
intersection of Gvardeysky Prospekt st.
intersection of Prospect Pobedy st. and Gornaya st.
and Kashtanovaya alleya st.
15 PaRK PoBeDy
THERE IS A BUS STOP OPPOSITE THE (ViCtoRy PaRK)
HOUSE AT 39, PROSPECT POBEDY ST. WE
SUGGEST THAT YOU taKe Bus # 5, 5, OR intersection of Gvardeysky Prospekt st.
miniBus # 79, 89 TO REACH TEATRALNAYA and Gornaya st.
ST. AND THEN GO ALONG GVARDEYSKIY
PROSPECT ST. TO ITS INTERSECTION WITH
GORNAYA ST.
16 museum oF tHe
WoRlD oCean
13 astRonomiCal Bastion This is the central Russian museum dedicated
to research history and nature of the World
The bastion got its unusual name for a Ocean. Visitors can survey the historic fleet quay,
fortification because of the nearby Koenigsberg have a look at various collections and feast their
Observatory situated on the hill to the east. The eyes on the magnificent maritime aquariums.
Working hours: 10:00–18:00 (closed on
Monday, Tuesday). Tel.: +7 (4012) 53-17-44,
www.world-ocean.ru
1, Peter the Great quay
25
Most popular mobile communication plans in Russia are pay-and-go. Set-up packages (a SIM
card and instructions) are sold in most boutiques, supermarkets and hypermarkets, airports,
train stations and in shops near subway stations. Staff at the airport mobile shops usually speak
foreign languages (primarily English). There are operator-owned shops and general mobile
shops, which sell SIM cards of most major mobile service providers in the country.
26
histOry Of KaliningraD
Kaliningrad was founded as Koenigsberg Prussia. King Frederick III was coroneted
in 1254 after the Teutonic Knights seized in the cathedral of Koenigsberg as the
the area from the native people, called the kingdom’s first king.
Prussians. The Knights invited the Germans
and the Polish to inhabit the land and Koenigsberg became the capital of East
cultivate it. The city became a member of Prussia, a province of the newly-created
the Hanseatic League, an important and kingdom.
powerful trade association on the Baltic
Sea, which in addition to the main cities on Prussia was incorporated into the German
the coast of the Sea included Novgorod, Empire in 1871. After the First World War,
London and was involved in the trade of East Prussia became separated from the
English fabric, Russian furs, German grains rest of Germany by the Polish Corridor of
and other regional goods. Danzig.
Koenigsberg was originally the capital Hitler’s desire to reunite the two regions
of Sambia, a district of Prussia, controlled was one of the causes of the Second World
by the Teutonic Order under the feudal War. During that war the territory was seized
overlordship of Poland. When Prussia by the Russian military forces as a result of
was secularized, Koenigsberg became fierce fighting.
the capital of the fiefdom of Ducal Prussia
in eastern Prussia, remaining under the East Prussia was granted to the USSR in
sovereignty of Poland. 1945. Under the Soviets, the city was rebuilt
in Soviet fashion and renamed as Kaliningrad,
In the seventeenth century, the fiefdom after Mikhail Kalinin, a president of the
of Prussia was united with Brandeburg. In Supreme Soviet. Today, Kaliningrad remains
1701, Prussia was granted independence a Russian city, although it is situated in an
from Poland and became the Kingdom of exclave of the country known as Kaliningrad
Oblast, separated from Russia by Lithuania
and Belarus. Kaliningrad remains the single
never frozen port of Russia on the Baltic coast.
27
CalenDar
Of events
January April
sVetloGoRsK WinteR tHe amBeR neCKlaCe inteRnational
DRinKs FestiVal aRts FestiVal
Specialty seasonal drinks from the This festival introduces significant works
best restaurants and cafes in Svetlogorsk by Russian and international artists, as well
participating in the festival. Culinary as presenting some of the best performers
workshops, Christmas menu and surprises! and musicians from across Kaliningrad
and the neighbouring countries of the
Svetlogorsk Tourist Information Center westernmost Russian region.
www.svetlogorsk-tourism.ru
Venues across the Kaliningrad region
www.kenigfil.ru/festival
February HeRRinG Day
lonG sausaGe Fest The Museum of the World Ocean opens its
doors to visitors, offering a varied programme
Highlights of this historic festival include of concerts, fish recipe competitions, comic
presentations of sausage products, a pictures on nautical themes, a display of
performance by an early music ensemble, nautical costumes, exhibitions and lectures.
a show of costumes created by the Theatre Herring will be the main dish of the day!
of the History of Fashion, a medieval
tournament featuring the ‘Sausage Duel’, Grounds of the Museum of the World Ocean,
and competitions with kingly prizes. Kaliningrad
Kaliningrad, the King’s Gate world-ocean.ru
world-ocean.ru
28
BiG FisH FestiVal May
The festival features delicious sea food Family Days in sVetloGoRsK
and a varied programme of entertainment.
Discounts at the best hotels, cafes and
Svetlogorsk restaurants in Svetlogorsk, with family
www.svetlogorsk-tourism.ru entertainment programmes, concerts,
workshops and gourmet shows available
during the days.
www.svetlogorsk-tourism.ru
inteRnational tHeatRe FestiVal: museum niGHt
onCe uPon a time
Take a night-time tour round all the
This open festival of amateur dramatics participating museums of Kaliningrad; buy
is held annually, providing audiences with a multi-ticket and experience Kaliningrad’s
authentic performances from a diverse museums as never before!
range of theatre groups.
The following day, the museums of the
Labiau Castle, Polessk Kaliningrad region present fascinating
ins-teatr.ru programmes of events.
PHotomania BaltiC Biennale Museums of Kaliningrad and
oF amateuR anD PRoFessional the Kaliningrad region
PHotoGRaPHy www.museumnight.info
The biennale includes photographic
projects and exhibitions including a wide
range of photographic art forms and genres,
from archive and retrospective photography
to modern art photography.
Exhibition spaces across Kaliningrad
kaliningradfoto.ru/en
29
WHeel Day FestiVal July
For an entire day Prospekt Mira Street inteRnational sailinG ReGatta:
is given over to cyclists! There is a variety tHe BaRque KRuzensHteRn CuP
of competitions for all ages as well as
music and entertainment for visitors and This year’s regatta will be held along the
participants. routes Gdynia-Kaliningrad and Kaliningrad-
Gdynia.
Kaliningrad
www.wheelday.ru
June
alatyR inteRnational Biennale inteRnational musiC FestiVal: in
exHiBition oF DesiGneR
amBeR HanDCRaFts PRaise oF BaCH
The programme includes the International Timed to coincide with the anniversary of
Competitive Exhibition «The Metaphysics of his death, the festival offers performances,
Light» and international scientific-practical not only of the works of Bach, but also
conference «Restoration and Conservation works by his sons and his contemporaries,
of Amber» as well as master classes and as well as music written by composers from
lectures by leading Russian and foreign other periods and musical styles.
experts of design and arts.
Kaliningrad
Amber Museum, Kaliningrad www.kenigfil.ru/festival
www.ambermuseum.ru/en/main
“sinGinG KiVin” Since 2015, the Annual Musical Festival
(GolosyasCHiy KiVin) “Singing KiViN” (Golosyaschiy KiViN) has
been held in the Kaliningrad region in the city
30 of Svetlogorsk. The venue for the festival is a
modern and beautiful variety theatre Yantar-hall.
Its capacity is 2000 viewers.
As soon as the festival took place in the new
venue, it became one of the major events in the
Kaliningrad region. Tourists from various Russian
cities and even from abroad came to visit it.
Svetlogorsk
kvn.ru
FestiVal oF HistoRiCal This is the largest annual sailing regatta
of the Kaliningrad region. It is traditionally
ReenaCtment KauP held in three regions - the Kaliningrad
region, Warmia-Mazuria and Pomerania
Guests of the festival can learn how the provinces of Poland. The regatta is included
people inhabiting the Baltic coast in the in the joint calendar of sailing regattas of
early Middle Ages lived, watch artists at Kaliningrad and Vistula lagoons, as well
work, buy interesting items, see how Vikings as in the common Russian-Polish project
fought, listen to great music, try all sorts of South Baltic Cup.
ancient drinks, participate in papermaking
by the ancient way and take part in a variety Baltiysk
of interactive activities.
The guests will witness the most
interesting pages of the amber region’s
earliest history. The participants of the
festival are reenactment clubs from Belarus,
Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Russia and
Sweden.
Pionersky
www.kaup39.ru
sailinG ReGatta: tHe BaltiC sea – naVy Day
tHe sea oF FRienDsHiP
The programme includes an exhibition of
The sailing competition is held in the Baltic the Russian Navy’s armament and military
Sea, in the area of the Pionersky town’s port. equipment, competition events in a range
of sports, performances by teams from
Pionersky the Baltic Fleet, parades of the Baltic Fleet
pionersk.gov39.ru ships, historical reenactments, theatrical
performances and fireworks.
Kaliningrad, Baltiysk
www.baltijsk.net
31
August
KalininGRaD City jazz amBeRFest inteRnational amBeR
inteRnational musiC FestiVal exHiBition FestiVal
The main venue of the festival is the Participants will find themselves
Summer Theatre, an open-air stage at the completely engrossed in excavating amber!
Kaliningrad Central Park of Culture and Also, they will enjoy authentic ‘amber’
Leisure. The line-up programming is based cuisine and amber craftwork.
on contemporary crossover-jazz from all
over the world. Not only big open-air- Yantarny
concerts, but also the club jam sessions are www.amberfest.ru
a huge fun for the audience of the festival.
In 2015, Kaliningrad City Jazz celebrated its
10th anniversary.
Kaliningrad
jazzfestival.ru
FestiVal oF youtH aRt: FestiVal oF sHoRt Films: in sHoRt
les/ FoRest Annual festival of short films; all
participants are short film directors. As well
The annual Youth Festival offers a variety as films, viewers can also enjoy installations
of ecological and art-based activities and live music.
including film screenings and chamber
concerts. As part of the festival, visitors are Cinemas and concert halls across Kaliningrad
offered the opportunity to take part in the korochekino.com
Natural Exhibition project by taking a guided www.zarya.eu/zarya
tour along selected routes accompanied
by curators, authors, artists, musicians and
ecologists.
Svetlogorsk
www.svetlogorsk-tourism.ru
oPen-aiR FestiVal oF WoRlD
CultuRes: PeaCe teRRitoRy
This festival offers the unique opportunity
to experience an inspiring range of national
cultures. The programme includes theatrical
performances, evening concerts, thematic
museum exhibitions, street theatre, craft fair,
and many other events.
Kaliningrad
32
inteRnational musiC FestiVal: Wisla PolisH Film FestiVal
KalininGRaD in RoCK The festival is aimed at enthusiasts of
high quality film as well as admirers of
‘Kaliningrad In Rock’ is one of the oldest Polish culture. It offers a unique opportunity
music festivals of the region, since 1994. As to watch Polish films and learn more about
well as local rock bands, foreign performers Polish art.
participate in it. Since 2014, it takes place in
the mini-park on Moskovsky Ave. (opposite the Zarya Cinema, Kaliningrad
House of Soviets) and attracts a huge number www.zarya.eu/zarya
of spectators every year. There is no admission
charge to enter the festival.
Kaliningrad
September n.i.C.e italian Film FestiVal
The festival gives an opportunity to see
inteRnational Plein aiR aRt
CHallenGe: aRt WitHout the best Italian films of recent years, ranging
BoRDeRs from the light and commercial to dramatic
and challenging.
Ten days of workshops and exhibition
projects showcasing the work of all those Zarya Cinema, Kaliningrad
participating in the Plein Air Art Challenge. www.zarya.eu/zarya
Otradnoye Village and Mechta mass BiCyCle RiDe: KalininGRaD –
Community Centre in Svetlogorsk zelenoGRaDsK – KalininGRaD
svetlogorsk39.ru/social/events
One of the most popular mass cycle rides
inteRnational aRts FestiVal: in Russia (on a per capita basis), attracting
BaltiC seasons more than 4000 cyclists every year.
This popular festival features productions www.koenigbicycle.ru/en/main.php
by several famous theatre companies
whose work is inspired by the old traditions
of Russian theatre. Young actors have an
opportunity to work with some of today’s
leading choreographers and dramatists.
Venues of Kaliningrad
baltseasons.ru
Violet stReet inteRnational
PRojeCt: FRom PaRis to
KalininGRaD
Features an exhibition of works by artists of
applied art who are members of ‘Un jour, un
artisan . . .’ a group established in Paris, France.
There is also an evening programme with a
French theme – ‘La Vie en Rose’ (Life in Pink).
Amber Museum, Kaliningrad
www.ambermuseum.ru/main
33
miKael taRiVeRDieV inteRnational October
oRGan ComPetition PuPPet tHeatRe FestiVal: PeteR’s
tRaVellinG sHoW
Named after Mikael Tariverdiev, a
composer who influenced generations, Three venues host a rich variety of shows
this biannual music competition includes performed by puppet theatres from Russia,
performances by both current and previous Belarus, Ukraine, Poland and Lithuania.
competition winners.
Kaliningrad
Philharmonic Hall and teatrkukol39.ru
Koenigsberg Cathedral, Kaliningrad
www.kenigfil.ru/festival eu Film FestiVal
The festival represents the very best of
the European film industry featuring winners
of many national awards and a number of
Oscar-nominated films.
Zarya Cinema, Kaliningrad
www.zarya.eu/festival
HistoRiC Boats FestiVal November
The festival includes sailing competitions inteRnational musiC FestiVal: jazz
for historic and traditional water craft, in PHilaRmoniC Hall
presentation of the historic vessels, and the
Vityaz Mile rowing regatta for yawls. All this This is festival of traditional and avant-
and songs, stories, chants and cheers! garde jazz with the participation of world-
class performers.
Historic Vessels Quay,
Museum of the World Ocean, Kaliningrad www.kenigfil.ru/festival
world-ocean.ru
34
In EmErgEncy
01/001/112 FIRE SERVICE, FEMA
02/002 POLICE
002 TRAFFIC STSI
03/003 EMERGENCY MEDICAL
SERVICES
04/004 GAS LEAK EMERGENCY
taxi maxim taxi BaltiKi taxi PaRaDiz Plus
+7 (4012) 666-999 +7 (4012) 331-333 +7 (4012) 930-303
+7 (4012) 333-333
taxi Vezet taxi naViGatoR
+7 (4012) 666-111 taxi 6Х6 +7 (4012) 555-525
+7 (4012) 666-666
taxi taxi taxi
35
loW PRiCes FROM
Prices on many goods in Russia are 1,2
fairly competitive, despite their increase
in the last couple of years (particularly the EUR
prices on cigarettes). Here are some typical
everyday products and prices, calculated at
the currency rate of EUR 1 = 80 RUB
FROM FROM
2 0,25
EUR EUR
FROM FROM
1 1,5
EUR EUR
FROM
120,5 kg
EUR
FROM FROM
1,5 900
EUR 1 kg
EUR
36
house
of the soviets
the Dom sovetov (House of the soviets) is situated in the center of
Kaliningrad on the historical site of the Prussian Koenigsberg Castle which
was severely damaged during the second World War. the remains were blown
up between 1964 and 1968, in accordance with the order of the Kaliningrad
committee of the Russian communist party.
Construction of Dom Sovetov began After the break-up of the Soviet
in 1960 as a symbol of Soviet power on Union, the building was planned to
the ruins of the Prussian castle and was be converted into a business centre,
intended to be the central administration but financial difficulties and criminal
building of the Kaliningrad Oblast. charges against the proprietors of the
building led to a new standstill. Today,
It was planned as a 28-storey building, the building is still empty. The local
consisting of two tall rectangular towers, population endearingly calls it ‘our
lined with embossed panels and a two- monster’ or ‘the buried robot’.
level covered walkway between them.
On the occasion of Kaliningrad’s 60th
However, the building’s foundations and Koenigsberg’s 750th anniversary in
neighbouring the foundations of the July 2005, the building was painted in
destroyed castle were too weak and sky-blue and new window panes were
ultimately only 21 storeys were built. mounted. Presently, its future is still
The project was halted when it was 95% undecided.
completed in 1985.
37
eVent manaGement in
KalininGRaD anD tHe ReGion
ii inteRnational Contest-FestiVal oF musiCal aRtistiC
WoRKs ‘GolD oF BaltiC’
PuRPoses oF FestiVal: 03 june 2016
- preserve and develop traditions of commercial and public organizations to the
the multinational culture of the Russian problems faced by the artistic community
Federation and foreign countries; and performers;
- discovering of new talents among - publicize children and youth creativity in
children and youth; the mass media.
- promoting and supporting the most The festival will include competitions of
talented children and youth in the field of soloists, creative meetings, master-classes,
arts; Fair song soundtracks, excursions in the
city, its palaces and nearby suburbs, visiting
- granting children from orphanages and theatre and museums, awards ceremony
children with disabilities and special needs and a gala concert for the festival.
the opportunity to find their place in the art
world;
- granting children an opportunity to work
with leading cultural specialists and people
of art;
- facilitate the exchange of experience
between the members of ensembles and
their teachers, support continuous creative
contacts between them and support their
unification within the framework of the
Festival’s movement;
- improve the professional skills of heads
of collectives and educators (by conducting
seminars, round tables and master classes);
- attract attention from state, international,
tHe inteRnational musiC FestiVal ‘KalininGRaD City jazz’
The International Music Festival is one
more reason to love Kaliningrad!
Jazz from the USA, Europe, Scandinavia
countries, the Baltic States and, of course,
Russian jazz is the wonderful music of
freedom that brings people together and
makes them happy!
‘Kaliningrad City Jazz’ is three days of joy,
smiles and excellent mood in the rhythm of jazz!
The festival is held at the height of the
05 august 2016 summer season at the Pevchesky field of
the Central park of culture and recreation!
FestiVal oF sHoRt Films: in sHoRt
Annual festival of short films; all
participants are short film directors. As well
as films, viewers can also enjoy installations
and live music.
19 august 2016
38
KauP HistoRiCal ReenaCtment FestiVal
29 july 2016 Annually since 2006, the KAUP Historical
Reenactment Festival takes place on the territory
of the Kaliningrad region. Every July for three
days it gathers participants and spectators from
Russia, Belarus, Ukraine and Baltic Countries,
thus contributing greatly to the development of
event tourism of the region. In 2015, the festival
was attended by over 7,000 people.
The first and foremost aim of the festival is
to reconstruct and revive ancient traditions of
inhabitants of Samland peninsula, who lived
here in the IX-XI centuries A.D. The festival
has several interactive grounds: forge, pottery,
joinery, sword possession, playground for
children, petting zoo, archaeological site, bow
shooting range, handicraft shops, and arena for
horse shows.
oPen-aiR FestiVal oF WoRlD CultuRes: PeaCe teRRitoRy
The open-air festival of world cultures, 10 august 2016
located in a beautiful historical place,
is a massive outdoor celebration that
demonstrates the cultural achievements of
the countries’ participants.
The unique nature of the event is in its
scale and diversity. The programme features
theatrical performances of the participating
countries, evening concerts, literary lounges,
themed exhibitions at museums, a wide
range of entertainment both for participants
and family pastime (children’s playground,
performances of street theatres, fair of
people’s creativity, operation of restaurants
of national cuisine and much more).
‘GumBinnensKy BReaKtHRouGH ... 1914’
The international military and historical 20 auG 2016
festival ‘Gumbinnensky Breakthrough ...
1914’ is dedicated to the heroic periods of ‘Bayonet assault’ (sculptor V. Surovtsev)
the national history – the first victory of the and ‘In memory of the forgotten war that
Russian Army in the First World War. It will turned the course of history’ (sculptor M.
be held in August in the area of Lermontovo Shemyakin). The pitch of the festival will be
village where the base of the 8th German the Gumbinnen battle reenactment. Artillery,
Army was located. The reenactment of the horse cavalry and aviation will take part in
battle will be carried out 102 years after the reenactment, with pyrotechnical devices
the heroic events which took place on the being applied as well.
Eastern Front on August 20, 1914. The
mission of the festival is to teach people the 39
significance of the Russian soldiers’ heroic
act. They protected the independence of
France and Russia with their courage and
valour then.
As part of the festival, a reenactment of
the parade of the Russian Emperor’s guard
will be held in Gusev. In Gusev, you can go
on a sightseeing tour to see the monuments
WoRlD CHamPionsHiP
oF FiReWoRKs 2016
All the weekends of September, France, Belarus, Croatia, Poland and
namely 3, 10, 17 and 24 September Mexico.
this year, in Zelenogradsk (Kaliningrad
region) for the first time will be held the The final grand fireworks display will
World Championship of Fireworks. be presented by the organizers of the
Kaliningrad Centre of fireworks ‘Khan’,
It will feature nine pyrotechnical which won the championship last year
shows by the best teams of the world. in Moscow.
This championship has an international
status: teams will come from eight It is expected that more than
countries - China, Italy, Germany, 50,000 spectators will visit the
championship.
40
russian Cuisine
Traditional Russian cuisine finds its roots Russians in the 20th century, and it is so in
in the peasant food of the rural population, the present days.
who often had to face the very harsh climate
of the country; therefore, in order to stay The expansion of the country and the
healthy and strong, they had to eat a lot of interest of Russian aristocracy towards
fish, meat, poultries, caviar, mushrooms, European and Asian cultures during the
berries and honey. 16th-18th centuries allowed the bringing of
a variety of new products and new culinary
Crops of rye, wheat, barley and millet techniques to Russia. It was during that
provided the ingredients for a plethora of period when smoked meat and fish, pastries
breads, pancakes, pies, cereals, beer and cooking, salads and green vegetables,
vodka. chocolate, ice cream, wines and juice were
imported from abroad. At least for the urban
Soups and stews are based on seasonal aristocracy and provincial gentry, this opened
or storable products, as well as fish and the doors for the creative integration of these
meat. This wholly native food remained new products with traditional Russian dishes.
the staple for the vast majority of the
41
amBer
KalininGRaD amBeR FaCtoRy
– ‘the fused amber’ and amber oil become
Kaliningrad Amber Factory was ingredients of various sorts of high quality
established on July 21, 1947. It is operating lacquers and enamels. Amber acid is
on the basis of the largest in the world amber used for making medicines, chemicals for
deposit located on the Baltic Sea coast near producing leather substitutes, biogenic
the village of Yantarny. stimulants, etc.
The amber is extracted from the open- The largest part of the factory’s output
cast mine at the depth of between 12 to 50 are amber goods produced in mass
metres. At present, 400-500 tons of amber batches. During its operation the factory
are extracted. All the extracted amber is
divided into three classes: for making amber
articles, to be pressed, and to produce
lacquer.
The amber for making articles is of the
greatest value, and is used as raw material
for the jewelry industry. However, this
kind of amber accounts for only one tenth
of the extracted amber. The other small
pieces cannot be immediately used for
making articles and are pressed (30%) and
chemically treated (60%).
Pressed amber is used for producing
adornments and is used as insulators in
industry.
The products of the chemical treatment
42
has produced dozens of millions of jewelry Baltic traditions of amber treatment the
articles. In the first years the range of the craftsmen started to use natural forms of
products was quite uniform. It was mainly amber, to pay attention to its colour and
comprised of beads, bracelets, pendants, texture, to make various compositions and
cigarette-holders, clips and buttons. The to combine amber with other materials
adornments were quite often made in the (wood, wool, plastic).
form of leaves, berries, fruits and insects.
The amber was tinted to make it look more In the 1970s, amber had reached the peak
natural. of its popularity in the USSR. The real ‘amber
boom’ was connected with the use of gold
Along with the mass production of the in combination with amber. In such articles
amber goods the factory has created they often use red-hot amber which is made
unique thematic compositions, monumental by being treated in special autoclaves. Dull
vases, gorgeously decorated caskets and dirty-yellowish pieces of amber turn
and souvenirs. Among them is the vase into transparent and sparkling stones that
‘Abundance’, a model of the nuclear- perfectly go together with gold.
powered ice-breaker ‘Lenin’ and the clock
‘Epoch’ rich in numerous details.
In the 1960s, under the influence of the
sHoPs amBeR in KalininGRaD amber legend, jewelry salon
236006, Kaliningrad, Leninsky
alex, amber products store Prospect, 17/19
236039, Bohdan Khmelnytsky Str., 21/23 phone number +7 (4012) 34 08 38
phone number 64 47 49 amber orchid, jewelry salon
amBeRHoll, jeweler 236029, Gorky Str., 2 fl. 2
236006, Kaliningrad, Leninsky phone number 53 83 48
Prospect, 51 amber orchid, jewelry salon
phone number +7 (4012) 34 02 47 236000, Teatralnaya Str., 30 SEC Europe
www.amberholl.ru fl. 1, of. 401
antique stoRe phone number / fax 53 83 48
236000, Lithuanian Val St., 58, (service-visa amber orchid, jewelry salon
center in Poland) 236040, Chernyakhovsky Str., 62
phone number 58 22 62 phone number 53 83 48
BilooKaya ti, souvenirs and jewelery amBeR anD silVeR
amber 236006, Leninsky Prospect, 26
236038 Yuri Gagarin Str., 106 phone number 38 56 16
mob. + 7900351 48 00 amBeR anD silVeR
CatHeDRal 236022, Mira Prospect, 19/21,
236006, Kant Str., 1 (entrance from the street)
phone number 63 17 05 phone number38 56 16
ColleCtoR seRViCe antique store amBeR, shop
236015, Zheleznodorozhnaya Street., 29 236006, Leninsky Prospect, 35
phone number / fax 64 65 94 phone number + 7906230 55 65
ColleCtoR seRViCe
antique store 43
236029, Naval Str., 1
phone number 56 56 62
CHest, creative workshop
236006, Leninsky Prospect, 24
phone number 39 01 19
WoRKsHoP ReGisteReD GiFts
236040, Professor Baranova str., 30,
Shopping Center Epicentre, fl. 3
mob. + 7911494 25 76
Russian amBeR
236039, Oktyabrskaya Str., 8, Fishing
village
mob. + 7909798 97 71
souVeniRs BaltiC ltd.
236039, Portovaya Str., 45
phone number / fax 64 67 00
CurOnian spit
The Curonian Spit is a long and narrow sand peninsula stretching
from southwest to northeast from Zelenogradsk of the Kaliningrad
region to the Lithuanian city of Klaipeda. The Curonian peninsula
is the world’s longest spit that separates the freshwater Curonian
Lagoon from the Baltic Sea.
The Spit was formed about five thousand could resist the sand dunes and began to
years ago by winds and currents of the strengthen the soil with mass planting of
Baltic Sea. In its narrowest part, it has the mountain pine, which has a strong root
width of 350 metres, in the widest part it system. Later the name ‘Epha’ was given
amounts to almost 4 kilometres. Its total to the highest in Europe (64 metres) and
length is 98 kilometres. The Spit is almost one of the most beautiful sand dunes of
equally divided between the Kaliningrad the Curonian Spit. It is equipped with an
region of Russia and Lithuania. Since observation platform.
1987, the Russian half has been a national
park, which was listed as a UNESCO A special attraction of the Curonian Spit is
World Heritage Site in 2000. But the above the local ‘Fringilla’ ornithological station, one
dry facts and figures cannot convey the of the first in the world. The Spit is sometimes
inexplicable charm inherent in this unique called the ‘bird bridge’ because migratory
miracle of nature. There is no industry, no birds stop here on their way from north to
large settlements on the Curonian Spit.
Nature really reigns here!
In order to minimize the harm which can
be caused by visitors while discovering
the wonderful world of the Curonian Spit,
the national park has six special hiking
trails. They all lie in the area of cognitive
tourism and are equipped with information
boards, signs and schematic maps.
Until the XIX century, the natural
processes were so active in the area of the
Spit that villages located there often turned
out to be covered with ‘wandering’ dunes.
Only in the middle of the XIX century,
forester Franz Eph identified how people
44
south. If you are lucky, you can witness and
sometimes take part in their banding.
The cultural landscape of the Spit
reflects the changes in both environment
and society. People wanted to stay on the
permanently changing Spit and thus at all
times had to act consciously, choosing
appropriate forms of activity. Sands and
forests currently dominate on it. Eight
small settlements near the Curonian
Lagoon (three on the Russian side, and
five in the Lithuanian part) represent only
3% of the Spit’s total area.
The villages of Lesnoy, Rybachy and
Morskoye located on its Russian side can
offer a place to stay which can suit every
taste and budget, from a comfortable hotel
to private rooms with no indoor facilities.
Mass tourism is almost impossible here
due to the limitations imposed by the
national park status. Therefore, you will
hardly see large crowds of people resting
on the vast sandy beaches of the Spit.
Nevertheless, while being the smallest
national park in Russia, the Curonian Spit
is also one of the most visited.
Enjoy the beauty of the Curonian Spit
and at the same time learn about its history
and uniqueness during one of the tours.
It is a long and narrow sand peninsula
stretching from southwest to northeast
from Zelenogradsk of the Kaliningrad
region to the Lithuanian city of Klaipeda.
The Curonian peninsula is the world’s
longest spit that separates the freshwater
Curonian Lagoon from the Baltic Sea.
45
KalininGRaD 2016
46
By the late 19th century the city of historic, architectural buildings in the city to
Koenigsberg had two defensive rings, the see today.
Inner Ring which was built close to the
city between 1843 and 1859 and the Outer And there is a particular irony in that.
Ring, built between 1872 and 1892. Built at huge expense and effort in the 19th
century, they were unable to defend the city
Despite the damage incurred during the from the aerial bombardments by the Allied
defence of the city at the end of the Second forces and later from a huge Soviet ground
World War, there is still a lot left to see with assault in 1945.
some of the bastions, gates and forts not
just open to the public but also being the The Inner Ring helps you to orientate
subjects of costly rebuilding and renovation where the city of Koenigsberg once stood
programmes. and offers a series of interesting walks on a
pleasant day. Not only will you come across
The fortifications of Koenigsberg are the old fortifications, but a few museums
some of the most important sights available and exhibitions hosted at them, such as
to the visitors of Kaliningrad for a number of the Amber Museum and ‘Koenigsberg in
reasons. First of all they remain impressive, the first half of the 20th century exhibition’.
fOrts Of KaliningraD
47
48