Kaliningrad city overview
Kaliningrad city (also spelled Kalinigrad) is an administrative center of Kaliningrad oblast of Russia. Before 1255 the city was known as Tuvangaste, from 1255 till 1946 the name of the city was Kenigsberg (Konigsberg).
Kaliningrad is an important seaport, railway and highway junction of Russia. There is an international airport in the city.
Kaliningrad city has the population of about 420,000 (2009). The land area of the city - 216 sq. km.
Kaliningrad city phone code - +7-4012. Postal codes - 236000-236040.
Kaliningrad city history
In 1255 Teutonic Knights built Konigsberg castle. In 1457 Konigsberg castle became Teutonic Order headquarters. Konigsberg town suffered heavy damage from Allies air attacks in 1944 during World War II. The historic center of Konigsberg city was completely destroyed including castle, cathedral, churches and universities.
Konigsberg city became the part of Soviet Union in 1945 (as part of Russian SFSR). Konigsberg city was renamed Kaliningrad. It happened after Mikhail Kalinin (Chairman of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR) died in 1946. The remaining German residents were expelled from Kaliningrad city. The city was repopulated with Russian citizens.
Kaliningrad city was rebuilt and went through industrialization and modernization. Kaliningrad oblast was one of the most western territories of the USSR. Kaliningrad oblast became a strategically important area during the Cold War and was closed to foreign visitors.
Today Kaliningrad city is the only Russian Baltic Sea port that is ice-free all year around. Kaliningrad city plays an important role in Russian Baltic Fleet maintenance.
Kaliningrad city economics
Kaliningrad is a large center of machine-building. Metallurgy is developed as well as light, printing and fishing industries. Industries absolutely new for Kaliningrad region were formed in the oblast, for example, the automobile plant “Avtotor” (1996) which produces cars licensed by BMW (Germany), KIA (Korea), General Motors (USA).
Freight turnover of Kaliningrad railway and Kaliningrad sea- and fishing-ports is growing. Oil terminals located in Kaliningrad sea canal provide export of over 2 million tons of oil product a year from Russia to the countries in western Europe and Scandinavia.
Kaliningrad city attractions
There are 6 museums in Kaliningrad city. The oldest of them is Kaliningrad historical and art museum (founded in 1946). In 1979 the Amber Museum was opened. Kaliningradsky art gallery opened on November 24th, 1988, is one of the youngest and rapidly developing museums in Russia. In its 8 exhibition halls up to 40 exhibitions of the Russian and foreign art are held every year.
At the end of 20th - early 21th centuries the unique World Ocean Museum was founded which possesses interesting exhibits and 3 museum ships. The Museum of “Lost and Found” was formed, collecting the ancient items found while purifying the lakes and constructing the houses. It is located in Freedland Gates which is the ancient monument itself. In 2001 Kaliningrad non-state museum of fortification and military equipment was formed on the basis of the Fort #5.
Among the other attractions of Kaliningrad is the general architectural outlook of the city. There are almost no pre-war buildings in the center of the city. The absolute German constructions remained close to the outskirts. At the end of 20th century the attitude towards German architecture changed, some remained till that time German buildings were restored. Later the Cathedral church was restored as well as the historical Konigsberg House of Engineering.
In 2008 the program on restoration of the historical center of Kaliningrad city was adopted and it was suggested to reconstruct the pre-war buildings in central part of the city and to construct the new Konigsberg castle on the old base.
By the end of 20th century the Cathedral church was fully restored and at present the cultural and religious center is located there. One can listen to concerts of spiritual and organ music there. There are 2 organs in the church, one of them is the largest in Europe, it was restored with the help of the old drafts.
Orthodox and Lutheran chapels are located in the church towers as well as exhibits of Knaiphof island history, philosopher Kant and the Cathedral church itself. The Cathedral church (was mentioned for the first time in 1333) was the main church in Konigsberg and now it is one of the main places of interest in Kaliningrad.
Beside Cathedral church 9 pre-war churches are retained in Kaliningrad. Yuditten-Kirkha (at present - the Orthodox St.Nickolas church) is the oldest building survived in Kaliningrad. It was constructed in XII century. All the rest survived churches of the German time are much younger and are referred to the end of 19th - early 20th centuries.
