Pre-war Koenigsberg. Former Koenigsberg, and now Kaliningrad - history, legends, interesting places of the ancient city. When and how did the deportation of the Germans take place

Kaliningrad. Westernmost regional center Russian Federation, its "foreign territory" surrounded by the countries of the European Union ... But this story is not about that.

Until July 1946, Kaliningrad was called Königsberg. The city became part of Russia by decision of the Potsdam Conference of the USSR, Great Britain and the USA, held in July 1945. Before that, Königsberg was part of Germany and was actually the "second capital" after Berlin.

In my opinion, the history of Königsberg did not begin in 1255 (the year the Königsberg fortress was founded), but a little earlier. In 1190, the Teutonic Order was founded in Palestine. The Order was officially approved by Pope Innocent III in 1198.

Knights of the Teutonic Order

After graduation crusades The order received some lands in Germany and southern Europe. AT central Europe the land was divided long ago and therefore the eyes of the knights of the Order turned to the east.
At that time in the territory Kaliningrad region and parts of present-day Poland were inhabited by Prussian tribes. This group of tribes was related to the Latvian, Lithuanian and Slavic peoples. The ancient Greeks traded with the Prussians - they bought amber in exchange for weapons. Also, references to the Prussians can be found in the writings of Pliny the Elder, Tacitus and Claudius Ptolemy. In IX- XIII centuries Christian missionaries visited the lands of the Prussians more than once.

The conquest of Prussia by the Teutonic Order took a long time. In 1255, the crusaders founded the Königsberg fortress on the site of the Prussian village of Tvangeste (according to other sources - Tuvangeste or Twangste). There is a legend that the knights witnessed solar eclipse. This was considered by them as a sign, and therefore the Königsberg fortress (Royal Mountain) was founded on the site of the parking lot. The honor of founding the city is attributed to the Bohemian king Ottokar II Przemysl. However, there is an opinion that the name is more a tribute to the knights to the kingship.

Ottokar II Przemysl (1233 - 1278)

Königsberg Castle. Pre-war years

Around the Königsberg fortress, 3 cities were founded: Altstadt, Kneiphof and Löbenicht. The cities were part of the Hanseatic trade union.

Interestingly, the city of Königsberg appeared only in 1724, when Altstadt, Kneiphof and Löbenicht united. Therefore, some historians consider exactly 1724 the year of the founding of Königsberg. The first burgomaster of the united city was the burgomaster of Kneiphof, Doctor of Law Zacharias Hesse.

The oldest surviving building in Kaliningrad is the Juditten Church. It was built in 1288. The building successfully survived the Second World War, but was destroyed by immigrants from the USSR. It was only in the 1980s that the church was actually rebuilt, and now the Orthodox St. Nicholas Cathedral is located there.

Juditten Church. Modern look

The main symbol of the city of Kaliningrad is the Cathedral. It was founded in 1325. The first version of the cathedral was realized in 1333 - 1345, subsequently rebuilt many times. Initially, it was just a church, and the name of the Cathedral was given only in the 17th century, possibly due to the location of local church authorities. The cathedral was very badly damaged by the English air raid on Königsberg in August 29-30, 1944 and the fighting in April 1945. The outer part was restored only in 1994 - 1998. Now there is a museum.

Cathedral. Modern look

One of the attractions of the cathedral is a large organ

Since 1457, Königsberg has been the residence of the masters of the Teutonic Order. At this time, the Order was at war with Poland, which ended in 1466 with the signing of the Second Peace of Torun. The order was defeated and until 1657 was a vassal of Poland. The order was already greatly weakened and already in 1525 Albrecht Hohenzollern secularized the lands of the Order and founded the Duchy of Prussia.

Duke Albrecht (1490 - 1568)

Before taking such a step, Albrecht consulted, among other things, with Martin Luther. Interestingly, Luther's son Johann (Hans) is buried in Altstadt, in the church of St. Nicholas (which was demolished in the 19th century). The daughter of the great reformer, Margarita, married the Prussian landowner Georg von Künheim and settled in the Mühlhausen estate (now the village of Gvardeyskoye, Bagrationovsky district). She died in 1570 and was buried in the local church.

The history of the Teutonic Order did not end with the secularization of its lands. The order was dissolved in 1809, restored in 1834 in Austria, existed until the Anschluss of Austria and the capture of Czechoslovakia by Germany in 1938-1939. After the Second World War, the Order was restored and now the residence of the master is in Vienna.

In addition to the masters of the Order, one of the figures of German classical philosophy, Immanuel Kant, whose name is also associated with the city, is buried in the Cathedral. Now the recently formed Baltic Sea is named after him. Federal University.

Immanuel Kant (1724 - 1804)

The name of Albrecht Hohenzollern is associated with the founding of the Königsberg University "Albertina". Albrecht began his reign as Duke of Prussia in 1525 by ordering the collection of all necessary books for the university library. Among those who helped Albrecht found the university was the Belarusian printing pioneer Francysk Skaryna. A monument to him can now be seen in front of one of the buildings of the Baltic Federal University. I. Kant.

Monument to Francysk Skaryna (left)

AT different years Johann Hamann, Johann Herder, Friedrich Bessel, Carl Jacobi, Ferdinand von Lindermann, Adolf Hurwitz, David Hilbert, Hermann Helmholtz worked and gave lectures at the Albertina; studied theology the founder of the Lithuanian fiction Christionas Donelaitis; listened to lectures on philosophy writer and composer Ernst Theodor Amadeus Hoffmann. It is worth mentioning that Immanuel Kant worked here.

The traditions of "Albertina" are continued by the Immanuel Kant Baltic Federal University, which was founded in 2010 on the basis of the Russian State University them. I. Kant by decree of the President of the Russian Federation.

After the Thirty Years' War, another war followed - the Northern War (1655 - 1660). In it, Sweden fought against Poland for the Baltic territories and dominance in the Baltic Sea. During this war, Prussia's dependence on Poland was ended. The Brandenburg-Prussian state was created, with Berlin as its capital. Elector Frederick III declared himself King Frederick I of Prussia. During his reign, Koenigsberg was visited several times by Peter I, to whom Frederick presented the famous Amber Room and the Liburika pleasure yacht. Frederick I himself, among other things, was very fond of tall soldiers and collected them throughout Europe. Therefore, Peter, as a courtesy in return, presented the king with 55 selected grenadiers of the highest stature.

The Amber Room. restored look

The Amber Room remained in Pushkin until 1942. Retreating, the Germans took the room to Königsberg, where it was mounted for display to a narrow circle of people. In 1945, she was hidden in the cellars of the castle. The further fate of the room is unknown. According to one version, it is still under the ruins of the castle. According to others, she could have been on board the Wilhelm Gustloff or somewhere in Germany. For the 300th anniversary of St. Petersburg, the Amber Room was restored (including with the involvement of German capital) and is now available for visiting in the Catherine Palace.

Many people know Frederick II the Great. Interestingly, he populated the empty lands of Prussia, seeking to increase the number of taxpayers. To increase employment, the king sharply opposed machine technology. In addition, the king believed that the roads should be in poor condition in order to impede the movement of the enemy army. The Prussian army was one of the best in Europe.
In 1758 - 1762. Koenigsberg was part of Russian Empire. At that time, the city was governed by a governor. One of the governors was Vasily Ivanovich Suvorov - the father of the great commander Alexander Vasilyevich Suvorov. After V.I. Suvorov, Pyotr Ivanovich Panin (1721 - 1789), who participated in the suppression of the Pugachev uprising, became the governor. By the way, Emelyan Pugachev took part in the Seven Years' War and could well visit Koenigsberg.

Vasily Ivanovich Suvorov (1705 - 1775)

We should also remember Queen Louise, the wife of King Frederick William III. Her life is continuously connected with the dramatic events of the struggle of Prussia against Napoleon. She died in 1810, without waiting for the victory over Napoleon.

Queen Louise (1776 - 1810)

The city alley was named in her honor, there was a shelter of Queen Louise for poor women (the building has not been preserved). Also in 1901, the church of Queen Louise was built (now there is a puppet theater). In the village of Nidden (now the city of Nida, Lithuania) on the Curonian Spit there was a boarding house of Queen Louise and became in her honor.

Church of Queen Louise. Modern look

According to the Peace of Tilsit, Prussia had to pay a huge indemnity. Of this amount, Königsberg owed 20 million francs (then the amount was reduced to 8 million). It is interesting that the city paid this amount to France until 1901.

During the period Napoleonic Wars Koenigsberg was visited by Mikhail Illarionovich Kutuzov. The famous writer Stendhal twice visited Königsberg - first on his way to Moscow captured by Napoleon. And then Stendhal had to flee from Moscow. And he was in such a hurry that he overtook the retreating French army. Also in Königsberg was Denis Vasilyevich Davydov.

In the 19th and 20th centuries, the city grew and developed. Before mid-nineteenth century Königsberg bore the imprint of a typical medieval city - there were very few trees on the streets. It was only in 1875 that the Greening Union was created. In 1928, the green attire of Koenigsberg was about 6,303,744 m2. Unfortunately, now the green outfit of the city is experiencing an increasingly persistent offensive of industrial and residential buildings.

I have covered only a small fraction of what can be told about the history of Koenigsberg. The fate of many people is connected with this city. To tell about everything, you need a book as thick as several volumes of War and Peace. However, what I said are very bright moments in the history of Koenigsberg, which should not be forgotten,

Kneiphof after the British air raid. 1944

The Second World War did not spare Koenigsberg. Many unique buildings have been lost forever. The city was not spared by the people who came to equip a new Soviet region. However, a part of Koenigsberg is present in today's Kaliningrad, playing a direct role in the history of the new city.

It is worth adding that the Germans show a noticeable interest in the history of Königsberg - Kaliningrad. Constantly on the street you can see German tourists. In addition, in Duisburg there is a German center for the study of everything related to the history of Königsberg.

Model of Kneiphof. The author is a native of Königsberg, Horst Dühring

As a conclusion, I will announce the motto of the Year of Germany in Russia: "Germany and Russia - to create the future together." I think this applies very accurately to the history of Kaliningrad - Koenigsberg.

Koenigsberg, now the well-known city of Kaliningrad, is an enclave washed by the cold and noisy Baltic Sea.

The history of the city is majestic and multifaceted, more than 700 years old - seven centuries of rapid growth, rapid seizures and frequent changes of heads of government.

The most western city of Russia is shrouded in ancient legends and surrounded by interesting historical sights.

Basic information

Story

It was founded on September 1, 1255. the beginning modern city became a castle erected on the site of the Prussian settlement Twangste in the lower reaches of the Pregel River. The Grand Master of the Teutonic Order Poppo von Ostern and King Premysl Otakar II of the Czech Republic are considered to be the founders.

Tvangste was besieged by the knights, but after the arrival of help from the King of Bohemia, the settlement fell. The first building was made of wood, and in 1257 the construction of brick walls began.

The castle was named Koenigsberg, he was sieged three times (in 1260, 1263 and 1273) by the Prussian tribes, but resisted. In subsequent years, German colonists began to arrive to develop the Prussian lands. Indigenous peoples were assimilated and XVI century only 20% of the total population remained.

On February 28, 1286, the settlement near the castle walls, bearing the same name, was given city rights. Others grew rapidly around settlements. In 1300, another city began to be called - Löbenicht, it was in it that the first printing house was opened in 1523, and in 1524 the first book was printed.

From an administrative point of view, both cities were independent, but in fact formed a single whole. The united cities were named Koenigsberg, and its first and oldest part was renamed Altstadt (“ Old city»).

The third settlement to receive official status was Kneiphof, and it also formed part of Königsberg.

In 1466, as a result of the thirteen-year war, the capital of the Teutonic Order was moved from Marienburg to Konigsberg.

In 1525, the theocratic state became known as the Duchy of Prussia, and Grand Master Albrecht proclaimed himself a duke. From the 16th century, the city became a cultural center, important figures lived there and the first books in the Lithuanian language were published.

In 1660, the publication of his own newspaper began., copies of it were regularly sent to Russia to compile reviews intended for the Boyar Duma and Tsar Alexei Mikhailovich.

Territorially unified, but consisting of administratively independent districts, the city existed until 1724, then the official unification of the three cities, their surrounding suburbs, towns and the castle took place. The name remained the same - Koenigsberg.

As a result of the seven-year war, the city belonged to Russia from 1758 to 1762, until Empress Elizabeth gave it back as a sign of reconciliation. In the 19th century, Koenigsberg grew rapidly and modernized, countless ravelins, bastions and defensive ramparts were built (many of the buildings are still preserved).

In 1857 in Koenigsberg appeared Railway , and in 1862 a railway connection with Russia was laid. In May 1881, a new type of transport appeared - horse-drawn carriage (horse-drawn - urban railway), and exactly 14 years later (in 1895) - the first trams. In 1901, the electrification of public transport began.

In 1919, the first airport in Germany and one of the first in the world, Devau, was built and put into operation. Regular flights Koenigsberg - Riga - Moscow were organized in 1922. In the XX century, the city expanded significantly, were built:

stations;
residential buildings;
commercial buildings.

The greatest contribution to the architecture of the city was made by Hans Hopp and Friedrich Heitmann. A large place was given to monuments and sculptures, they were created by both graduates and teachers of the Königsberg Academy of Arts. At the same time, research and reconstruction were carried out in the old castle.

In August 1944, during the bombing by Britain, the city was badly damaged and the entire old center of Koenigsberg was destroyed.

In the same year, it was stormed by Soviet soldiers.

Assault and capture in 1945

The siege of the city began in December 1944, and assault troops were sent on April 5, 1945. On April 10, a flag was raised over the tower of Der Dona (modern amber museum), marking the end of German rule. During fierce battles, both sides suffered losses of 50 thousand people..

We offer you to watch a video about the assault on Koenigsberg.

Who was given a medal for taking?

On June 9, 1945, the Presidium of the USSR Armed Forces ordered the establishment of a medal for the capture of the city-fortress of Koenigsberg.

This the medal was awarded to servicemen of the army, navy and troops of the NKVD who took personal part in the battle for the city, as well as organizers and leaders of hostilities in the period from January 23 to April 10, 1945.

This medal is the only one established in the USSR for the capture of a fortress, all the rest were for the liberation and capture of capitals.

Legend of underground Kaliningrad

The essence of the legend is that located under the city underground city- understudy built during German rule. It has power plants, numerous warehouses of food and household goods, there are tank and aircraft manufacturing plants.

Also, the underground city is a repository for many valuables, including the Amber Room. There are two versions of the end of the legend:

During the assault on the city Soviet soldiers, the Germans collapsed and partially flooded several passages.
After the war, an expedition was sent to the dungeon, but it could not fully explore all the passages. It was decided to wall up the unexplored tunnels.

Some residents claim that all systems in the lower city are working properly and sometimes someone turns them on to check, then a rumble is heard from the basements and a glow appears.

According to some versions, people still live underground.

The legend originated in the 1950s, provoked its appearance by numerous artistic and documentary works of those times.

Where is it on the map?

The city is located on the shores of the Baltic Sea. From the south it borders with Poland, and from the east and north - with Lithuania. It has no land borders with Russia.

What does this name mean in German?

The center of the city was the castle, at the foundation it was called the "King's Mountain" (translated from the German Königsberg), in honor of the King of the Czech Republic Premysl Otakar II, who is one of the founders.
According to another version, the word "Kenigsberg" is of Gothic origin: kuniggs is the head of the clan, and berg is the coast.

Which country does it belong to?

In 1945 passed Potsdam conference, by its decision, the German province, together with its capital, was annexed to Soviet Union. After the death of the Chairman of the Supreme Council M. I. Kalinin July 4, 1946 the city received a new name - Kaliningrad, and its region became Kaliningrad.

Coat of arms

The modern emblem was approved on July 17, 1996 and finalized on April 28, 1999. The authors of the project are Ernest Grigo and Sergey Kolevatov. The old coat of arms of Koenigsberg was taken as a basis.

On a blue background is a silver ship with one sail and a silver two-pointed pennant with the St. Andrew's Cross. The mast goes down with three green sheets. Under the ship there are 12 golden bezants laid in the form of a wave.

In the center of the mast there is a shield crossed with silver and scarlet, in the upper part there is a crown, in the lower part there is an equal-ended Greek cross (both figures of variable colors). Around the shield is the ribbon of the medal for the capture of Koenigsberg.

the Royal Castle

Story

Founded in 1255 on former Prussian territory. Initially, the building was defensive in nature and was built of wood, later it was reinforced with stone walls. In the early period, the Gothic style prevailed in the appearance of the castle, but over time, the purpose of the building itself changed and its architectural appearance changed.

With the coming to power of Duke Albrecht in 1525 the castle turned into a secular palace. Coronations and receptions were held in its halls. In the 18th century, in the basement of the northern wing, there was a wine restaurant "Blutgericht", translated as "Bloody Court". Previously, there was a prison in the restaurant, and a court over it.

At the beginning of the 20th century, the castle served as a museum; rare collections were located within its walls:

books;
paintings;
weapons.

The castle was captured by the Germans during World War II, meetings were held in it and valuables from plundered countries were stored. One of these booty was the famous Amber Room, transported by the Germans from Pushkin. Its current location is not known.

The castle was badly damaged during the war, but the final "collapse" occurred in 1968 - by order of the Soviet authorities, the building was blown up, and the remaining stones were used for new buildings. Several attempts were made to start rebuilding the castle. Excavations on its territory are periodically renewed, the last ones are dated 2016.

Where can you find ruins?

The ruins of the castle are located at: st. Shevchenko 2, public transport stop "Hotel Kaliningrad". Landmark - House of Soviets, built on the territory of the former castle. The visit is paid and is possible on any day from 10 to 18.

What other sights are there?

fish village. An ethnographic, craft and trade complex on the banks of the Pregel River, stylized as old Prussia. Was built in 2006.
Kant Island(Kneiphof). It is located in the middle of the Pregel River, in the XIV century there was a whole city with its own coat of arms. In 1944, there were 28 streets, 304 houses on the island, public transport, during the bombing in August of the same year, the city was completely destroyed. Now the only building is the Cathedral, surrounded by alleys and sculptures.
World Ocean Museum. It was opened in 1990 with the aim of preserving and promoting the maritime heritage of Russia. The museum presents the history of shipbuilding and exhibitions dedicated to marine flora and fauna, as well as the study of the seabed.
Holy Cross Cathedral. Located on October Island. Until 1945, there was a Lutheran-Evangelical shrine here, bearing the name of the Church of the Cross. Currently, it is an Orthodox church. The central element in the external decoration is a mosaic Protestant cross on the facade, framed by an ornament with lilies and wind roses. Inside the church is already decorated in accordance with Orthodox traditions.

forts

Starting from the 19th century, instead of a continuous wall around the city, a network of forts was built (earth fortifications with stone buildings that could accommodate 300 soldiers and a supply of ammunition). The territory between them was shot through by artillery, and at a later time by machine guns.

The defensive ring around Koenigsberg consisted of 12 large and 5 small forts and was called the "night feather bed".

This defense system received a test in April 1945, having come under fire Soviet army.

Most of the forts were destroyed, and the few that remained until recently were abandoned. Monuments of fortification art are gradually being restored. Two forts are available in tour mode:

No. 5 King Frederick William III;
No. 11 Dönhoff.

Below is a video about the forts of Kenegsberg.

A photo

In the photo below you can see the main historical sights of the city:

When and how did the deportation of the Germans take place?

In 1946, Stalin signed a decree on voluntary resettlement in Kaliningrad 12 thousand Russian families from 27 different regions. From 1945 to 1948, several dozen Germans coexisted with Russians in the city, German schools, churches and public organizations.

But this neighborhood cannot be called peaceful - the Germans were regularly subjected to violence and looting by the Soviet population. The government tried in every possible way to destroy the hostility between the peoples:

published a newspaper;
was trained in German;
working Germans were issued food cards.

Due to the impossibility of peaceful coexistence and the increase in cases of violence, in 1947 a decision was made to forcibly deport the German population.

Between 1947 and 1948, about 100,000 German citizens and Prussian Lithuanians were resettled.

The deportation took place peacefully and in an orderly manner, the former residents of East Prussia were allowed to carry any amount of cargo with them, dry rations were also issued and conscientious assistance was provided during the movement.

Receipts were taken from all those departing that there were no claims against the Soviet Government.. Part of the German specialists was left for restoration Agriculture and production, but they also did not receive citizenship and eventually left the country.

The history of Koenigsberg as a Russian city of Kaliningrad is just beginning. Its cultural image has undergone significant changes over the past 15 years:

new museums appeared;
the forts were restored;
built the first Orthodox church.

For a long time, the architectural heritage of the Prussian lands fell into decay, but modern society undertook to restore them.

Kaliningrad is a unique city in many respects, with an amazing history, shrouded in many mysteries and mysteries. The architecture of the times of the Teutonic Order intertwined with modern buildings, and today, walking along the streets of Kaliningrad, it is difficult to even imagine what kind of view opens around the corner. This city has more than enough secrets and surprises - both in the past and in the present.

Koenigsberg: historical facts

The first people on the site of modern Kaliningrad lived in the first millennium BC. Remains of stone and bone tools were found at the site of tribal camps. A few centuries later, settlements were formed where artisans who knew how to work with bronze lived. Archaeologists note that the finds most likely belong to Germanic tribes, but there are also Roman coins issued approximately in the 1st-2nd century AD. Until the XII century AD. these territories also suffered from Viking raids.

But it was only in 1255 that the settlement was finally captured. Warband not only colonized these lands, but also gave the city a new name - Korolevskaya Gora, Koenigsberg. For the first time, the city came under Russian rule in 1758, after Seven Years' War, however, less than 50 years later, the Prussian troops win it back. During the time that Königsberg was under the rule of Prussia, he radically changed. A sea canal, an airport, many factories, a power station were built, and a horse tram was put into operation. Much attention was paid to the education and support of art - the Drama Theater, the Academy of Arts were opened, the university began accepting applicants on Paradnaya Square.

Here, in 1724, the famous philosopher Kant was born, who did not leave his beloved city until the end of his life.

World War II: battles for the city

In 1939 the population of the city reached 372 thousand people. And Koenigsberg would have developed and grown if the Second World War. Hitler considered this city one of the key ones, he dreamed of turning it into an impregnable fortress. He was impressed by the fortifications around the city. German engineers improved them, equipped concrete pillboxes. The assault on the defensive ring turned out to be so difficult that 15 people received the title of Hero of the Soviet Union for the capture of the city.

There are many legends about the secret underground laboratories of the Nazis, in particular about Königsberg 13, where psychotropic weapons were developed. There were rumors that the Fuhrer's scientists were actively studying and occult sciences, seeking to have an even greater impact on the minds of people, but there is no documentary evidence of this.

During the liberation of the city, the Germans flooded the dungeons and blew up part of the passages, so it still remains a mystery - what is there, behind tens of meters of debris, maybe scientific developments, or maybe untold riches ...

It is there, according to many scientists, that the legendary amber room, taken out of Tsarskoe Selo in 1942, is located.

In August 1944, the central part of the city was bombed - the British aviation implemented the "Retribution" plan. And in April 1945 the city fell under the onslaught Soviet troops. A year later, it was officially attached to the RSFR, and a little later, five months later, it was renamed Kaliningrad.

In order to avoid possible protest moods, new town It was decided to populate the population loyal to the Soviet regime. In 1946, more than twelve thousand families were transferred to the Kaliningrad region "voluntarily-compulsorily". The criteria for the selection of migrants were agreed in advance - the family must have at least two adults, able-bodied people, it was strictly forbidden to move "unreliable", those who had a criminal record or family ties with "enemies of the people".

Indigenous people they were almost completely deported to Germany, although they lived for at least a year, and some for two, in neighboring apartments with those who had recently been a sworn enemy. Skirmishes happened often, cold contempt gave way to fights.

The war took a huge toll on the city. Most of the agricultural land was flooded, 80% industrial enterprises were either destroyed or seriously damaged.

The terminal building was seriously damaged, only the hangars and the flight control tower remained from the grandiose structure. Given that this is the first airport in Europe, enthusiasts are dreaming of a revival of its former glory. But, unfortunately, funding does not allow for a full-scale reconstruction.

The same sad fate befell the house-museum of Kant, a building of historical and architectural value, literally falling apart. It is interesting that in some places the German numbering of houses has also been preserved - the count goes not by the buildings, but by the entrances.

Many old churches and buildings are abandoned. But there are also completely unexpected combinations - several families live in the Taplaken castle in the Kaliningrad region. It was erected in the 14th century, has been rebuilt several times since then, and is now recognized as an architectural monument, as indicated by a plaque on a stone wall. But if you look into the patio, you can find a playground, installed modern double-glazed windows. Several generations have been living here for several generations, who have nowhere to move.

I know that many of the old subscribers have long missed the historical pictures in this blog.
Events in Ukraine are clearly heading towards a lull (i.e., towards a return to the oligarchic swamp), so I will gradually return to the previous topics.
But for the time being, only that which is of exceptional personal interest can distract me from current events. Just found this one today!
A new portion of the rarest color photographs of Koenigsberg, a city that no longer exists.
Source - Wikimedia Commons, Copyright holder - Herkus Monte. Found .

The new building of Albertina University, 1938:

This mid-19th century building was restored "in simplified form" in the late 1960s and is still in use as before. In fact, Kaliningrad State University is the oldest in Russia, because was founded two centuries earlier than Moscow State University.
Unfortunately, the first Albertina building, located on the island of Kneiphof, was demolished around 1950.

Altstadt Market, 1938:

A high resolution

This oldest market square in Königsberg was located between the Castle and the river. Now in this place there is only the emptiness of Moskovsky Prospekt.

In the same place:

A high resolution

Monument to a mother seeing off her son to the war, with the inscription: "Für uns" "Fur uns" - "For us"
Monument to fallen soldiers in the First World War (located not far from Lyash's dugout):

A high resolution

Sculpture Archer on the lower castle pond, opposite the Burgkirche, 1938:

A high resolution

Only the pond survived.

The building of the agricultural partnership "Raiffeisen Bank" - "Raiffeisenbank"
Construction period: 1936-1937
Architect: Siegfried Sassnick. Snapshot 1938:

A high resolution

Sovetsky prospect, 13-17 (Stresemannstrasse, 2; after 1933 - General Litzmann Strasse). Construction time - 1936-37. Architect - Siegfried Sassnik. Above the entrance were bronze figures by F.A. Train.

Composition "fighting bulls" at the Land Court:
The sculpture, like the building opposite, has been preserved.

The area of the old warehouses of Lastadi (Speicher):

Everything burned down in 1944 from the British bombing.

Königsberg before the war

Koenigsberg: historical facts

The first people on the site of modern Kaliningrad lived in the first millennium BC. Remains of stone and bone tools were found at the site of tribal camps. A few centuries later, settlements were formed where artisans who knew how to work with bronze lived. Archaeologists note that the finds most likely belong to the Germanic tribes, but there are also Roman coins issued approximately in the 1st-2nd century AD. Until the XII century AD. these territories also suffered from Viking raids.

Fort destroyed by war

But it was only in 1255 that the settlement was finally captured. The Teutonic Order not only colonized these lands, but also gave the city a new name - King's Mountain, Koenigsberg. For the first time, the city came under Russian rule in 1758, after the Seven Years' War, but less than 50 years later, Prussian troops recapture it. During the time that Königsberg was under the rule of Prussia, he radically changed. A sea canal, an airport, many factories, a power station were built, and a horse tram was put into operation. Much attention was paid to the education and support of art - the Drama Theater, the Academy of Arts were opened, the university began accepting applicants on Paradnaya Square.

Kaliningrad today

Here, in 1724, the famous philosopher Kant was born, who did not leave his beloved city until the end of his life.

Monument to Kant

World War II: battles for the city

In 1939 the population of the city reached 372 thousand people. And Koenigsberg would have developed and grown if the Second World War had not begun. Hitler considered this city one of the key ones, he dreamed of turning it into an impregnable fortress. He was impressed by the fortifications around the city. German engineers improved them, equipped concrete pillboxes. The assault on the defensive ring turned out to be so difficult that 15 people received the title of Hero of the Soviet Union for the capture of the city.

Soviet soldiers storm Koenigsberg

There are many legends about the secret underground laboratories of the Nazis, in particular about Königsberg 13, where psychotropic weapons were developed. There were rumors that the Fuhrer's scientists were also actively studying the occult sciences, trying to have an even greater influence on the minds of people, but there is no documentary evidence of this.

Such fortifications were erected around the perimeter of the city.

It is there, according to many scientists, that the legendary amber room, taken out of Tsarskoe Selo in 1942, is located.

How a German city became Soviet

In August 1944, the central part of the city was bombed - the British aviation implemented the "Retribution" plan. And in April 1945 the city fell under the onslaught of Soviet troops. A year later, it was officially attached to the RSFR, and a little later, five months later, it was renamed Kaliningrad.

View of the surroundings of Königsberg

In order to avoid possible protest moods, it was decided to populate the new city with a population loyal to the Soviet regime. In 1946, more than twelve thousand families were transferred to the Kaliningrad region "voluntarily-compulsorily". The criteria for the selection of migrants were agreed in advance - the family must have at least two adults, able-bodied people, it was strictly forbidden to move "unreliable", those who had a criminal record or family ties with "enemies of the people".

Gate of Königsberg

The indigenous population was almost completely deported to Germany, although they lived for at least a year, and some for two, in neighboring apartments with those who had recently been a sworn enemy. Skirmishes happened often, cold contempt gave way to fights.

The war took a huge toll on the city. Most of the agricultural land was flooded, 80% of industrial enterprises were either destroyed or seriously damaged.