Kaliningrad

Kaliningrad is a city of the Teutonic Knights and amber. If you do not know the facts and rely on geographic data, never crossed his mind that Kaliningrad is part of Russia. Kaliningrad is actually the most western area of ​​the vast Russian territory, but he has no land connection with the country. It is situated between Lithuania and Poland and is the Baltic Sea.

Here is the only antifreeze port in the country in the Baltic Sea. Kaliningrad is inherently million-Russian enclave. From Warsaw to Kaliningrad is only 35 km and to the Lithuanian border is 70 km. Today the population of this interesting place is a diverse mixture of Belarusians, Ukrainians, Russians, Germans, Lithuanians, Poles.

From the natural perspective Kaliningrad is located in very scenic and rich area. Here is full of lakes and rivers. The uniqueness of the place comes from the fact that here is one of the places in the world where amber is found. Kaliningrad has one of the longest lagoon in Europe, which is located on the field. Amber dunes reach a height of 70 meters and length is about 98 kilometers.

The old name of Kaliningrad is Koningsberg, named in honor of its founder – Czech King Ottokar. He is one of the main cities of the Teutonic Order, then the center of East Prussia. It was born one of the most famous philosophers – Immanuel Kant. In 1945 the Russians, headed for Berlin occupied the field and change the name of the town on behalf of the communist leader Mikhail Kalinin.

Kaliningrad can be called a mature and popular tourist destination that does not mean that it has nothing to see. Among the sights of this city are Koningsberg’s cathedral Victory Square, Koningsberg’s fortress home of the Soviets, the cathedral “Jesus Savior,” the old Prussian zoo and State University “Immanuel Kant”. There is a museum of world ocean, as well as several historic castle, reminiscent of knights times.

In Kaliningrad you can see the first castle of the Teutonic knights, the castle Insterburg. The castle was preserved one of the most interesting mysteries of the 20th century – Amber Room. This room is a gift to Russian King Peter the Great by Prussian King Friedrich Wilhelm. Gradually it was arranged with gold and amber, as its weight is measured at 6000 kg. During WWII the Germans “packed” Amber Room in wooden chests obscured in the basement of the castle of Koningsberg.

The boxes disappear during the bombing of the city at the end of the war and still not found. The main cathedral of the old city of Koningsberg was built in 1333. It was destroyed in 1944 during British air raids against German troops. The restoration of this temple in Kaliningrad started in 1994 with financial support from Germany, Poland and Russia. In a cathedral concert hall and an Orthodox chapel, and its opening ceremony took place in 2005.

Kaliningrad zoo is one of the largest and oldest in all of Russia. Kaliningrad Zoo was opened in 1896, and in his collection, occupying an area of ​​16.5 hectares, located 315 species. The total number of fauna is about 2300. Kaliningrad zoo is a simultaneous and a botanical garden. Along with the species of the park visitors have the opportunity to glimpse rare plants, among which can be seen and Ginkgo.

In the zoo can be viewed and sculptures of animals such as moose bronze statue, stone statue of the orangutan and others. Zoo entrance is adorned with sculptural group portraits of various animals. The territory of the zoo are a few pre-war buildings and a fountain. In the zoo live 59 species mammals, 84 species of birds, reptiles are about 42 species, 105 species of fish and 8 species of invertebrates. 54 species of animals at the zoo in Kaliningrad are included in the International Red Book.