Cathedral of Kant. Cathedral in Kaliningrad
As already mentioned, Kaliningrad is an inside-out city with history-filled outskirts and a dull panel-concrete center. With one caveat: nevertheless, from the Old Königsberg, in its very geometric middle, still survived Cathedral. About him - the first of 4 posts under the general title "ghosts of Königsberg".
And I immediately turn to experts in the region - to paraphrase a well-known meme, "don't swear, you correct!".
About how the crusaders of the Teutonic Order came to pagan Prussia, I already wrote in a post about, founded in 1238. It took about two decades for the “dog-knights” to first colonize Prussia, and in 1255, on the site of the Prussian settlement Twangste at the mouth of the Pregol IX, the Grand Master of the Teutonic Order, a participant in the Battle of Legnica with the Mongols (1241) Poppo von Ostern and the Czech king Ottokar II Přemysl founded castle Königsberg-in-Prussia ( official name cities until 1946). "Königsberg" in the translation "Royal Mountain", but at the same time it is flat almost like Petersburg, so there is a version that its name is tracing paper from the Varangian, and means Prince's coast; in Poland he was always known as Queen. The fortress at the mouth of the river - the core of all Prussia began to quickly acquire trading settlements: the sub-castle settlement of Altstadt (" Old city") received the Kulm right in 1286, Löbenicht adjacent to it - in 1300, Kneiphof on the island - in 1327, and Lomse, Vorstadt, Lastadia remained suburbs. Three cities lived their lives, had separate town halls, even fought once ( 1455) and constantly waged economic rivalry, and Königsberg Castle only looked at this fuss because of its impregnable walls. Such polycentric cities are not uncommon in Europe at all - for example, Prague, even our Kiev, and they united not so long ago: say, Königsberg - only in 1724. And since the castle did not belong to Löbenicht and Allstadt, the most important of the three cities until that time was Kneiphof, in which the Cathedral stood.All this is well illustrated by the model in its tower - except for the cathedral itself from the buildings shown on it NONE survived.
The full consecration of the temple is the Cathedral of the Body of God, the Virgin Mary, Adalbert of Prague and All Saints. It was founded in Altstadt, built in 1302, but it soon became clear that the cathedral was too small for a growing city. Here Kneiphof acquired the Kulm right, and in 1333 the first cathedral began to be dismantled and rebuilt on the other side of the channel. Initially, it was supposed to become a temple-fortress, but Master Ludwig of Brunswick considered that the second fortified object in direct line of sight from the castle would be more of a potential enemy than help, and the cathedral had to remain in the shadow of the castle. The nave of the cathedral was completed in 1388, but the towers - only in 1553, already in the "Lutheran" period.
Here you can clearly see the structure of the cathedral. The eastern (left) part was built first, was single-nave, and is known as the High Choirs - until 1525, only adherents of the Order were allowed to pray in it. The wider three-nave part - Low choirs, was built next for the parishioners. The architecture of the cathedral is the correct "Northern Gothic", which distinguishes the cities of the Hanseatic League.
By European standards, the cathedral here is small - only 88 meters in length and 50.5 in height, that is, 1.5-2 times shorter and 2-3 times lower than the great cathedrals of Europe such as Cologne or Rouen. On this Far East Europe was hardly needed anymore - the winter is harsh, and there are infidels all around ... but it was here, and not in Cologne or Ulm, that in 1525 the first official service was held on German(not Latin). The cathedral in the Duchy of Prussia became the parish church of Kneiphof, and at the same time began to turn into Cultural Center new country- in 1544, the Albertina was built in the neighborhood, in 1650 the Wallenrodt library was located in the tower. Not only the nobility and the higher clergy, but also professors were buried in the cathedral crypts.
One of them was Immanuel Kant, and it was his grave that prevented the cathedral from sharing the fate of the castle, town halls, church and much more. Nevertheless, they did not begin to restore the temple that burned down during the war, and by the time of the collapse of the USSR it looked something like this:
The building itself was restored in 1992-98, but the details - epitaphs, chapels, organ, decoration - are being restored gradually and most likely it will take more than one decade. Kneiphof himself is unlikely to return, and in the place of his narrow streets there is a park:
Which in the 1970s and 80s they even tried to make a sculpture park, but not too successfully:
Katerina taiohara drew my attention to this song. Julius Rupp is the grandfather of Kethe Kollwitz, who few people know about in modern Kaliningrad (unlike Brachert). Meanwhile, this artist and sculptor of the early twentieth century was called "Michelangelo in a skirt." Rupp, who was called "the rebellious preacher" by the newspapers, had a great influence on Käthe, and when he was buried in the cathedral cemetery, she made a monument to him. Here, however, is a copy brought on June 22, 1991 by Käthe's granddaughter Jutta Botte-Kolwitz. But in fact - now the only work of Kollwitz in his hometown.
There is also a monument to Albrecht Hohenzollern in 1525, who abolished the Prussian Landmaster of the Teutonic Order, who converted to Lutheranism and founded the Duchy of Prussia. As you know, the Hohenzollerns ruled Prussia, and then the whole of Germany until 1918, and Albrecht was the founder of the dynasty. A monument to him was erected in 1891, destroyed under the Soviets and recreated in 2005:
On this side is the most place of worship Kaliningrad - Stoya-Kantian (1924):
During his lifetime, and even for the first hundred years after, Kant was not very honored in Koenigsberg, and he began to turn into a genius loci only after the First World War. Then the current crypt was built to replace the dilapidated old one. I have not read Kant's works in full, limiting myself to material from a textbook on philosophy... and yet I roughly understand how strongly his ideas influenced the New Age. Here lies one of the greatest people Stories:
The most beautiful detail of Stoi-Kantian is the ceiling:
Within the walls of the High Choirs, both external and internal, there are dozens of epitaphs:
The most luxurious of them were the epitaphs of Albrecht and the Radziwills (and there is nothing surprising in this - Königsberg was one of the centers of the Lithuanian elite), and as far as I know, they are gradually being restored. However, I never found out their location. Albrecht's epitaph:
Well, we come to the facade. He hangs over his head very impressively:
In the hall of the cathedral, these animals are met - authentic sculptures of the Kneiphof town hall (1695-97):
On the sides are two chapels. Right - Lutheran:
Left - Orthodox:
With a copy of the "Indestructible Wall" from and an authentic Russian Bible of the 18th century, which came here among the trophies of the Wehrmacht.
The cathedral itself does not belong to any of the confessions, and on May 7, 1995, a common service for Orthodox, Lutherans and Catholics, unique for Russia, was held in it. But for a tourist, a visit will cost 300-500 rubles, since tickets to the museum on the tower and the organ hall in the Low Choirs are 150 rubles each. and photography are paid separately:
The exposition on several floors is devoted mainly to the history and archeology of Prussia:
Including a detailed layout of the Old Koenigsberg, which I will refer to more than once. Here, in addition to the castle and the cathedral, the third dominant is visible - the New Synagogue in Lomza (1894-95):
Another layout, more general, gives an idea of how Königsberg was fortified:
Along the stairs - stained glass windows:
Above is the Valenrodt library, or rather its replica. Martin von Wallenrodt, a local nobleman, had been collecting books since the beginning of the 17th century, and by 1623 he had collected more than 3,000 volumes ... but then his house burned down and the entire collection perished. Walenrodt had the courage to start all over again, and by the time of his death (1632) there were again about two thousand books in the library. His son Ernst continued his father's work, traveled all over Europe in search of rare books and even reached America, and by 1650 the library had grown so much that the city council of Kneiphof gave her rooms in the cathedral tower. In 1675, the library passed to the Königsberg University, and in 1721 to the state, and by the beginning of the 20th century it had more than 10 thousand books. Like many other valuables, the collection perished in the 1940s... however, it is known for certain that they managed to save it from fire, since the books came to the disposal of the Soviet authorities packed and intact. Most likely, in the confusion of the first years, it was looted and sold around the world to private collections. Its most significant fragment ended up in the library of Torun, and in Königsberg about 300 volumes of the 16th-18th centuries have been preserved from its collection (they are stored either in the museum funds or at the university). The carved decoration of the library (1650s) was recreated by 2005:
The upper floors of the tower are occupied by an exposition in memory of Kant:
In the cathedral, as I understand it, only the Low Choirs have been restored so far, and they are occupied by the city organ hall:
The lancet vaults were not always white - the painting of the cathedral was completed in the 14th century ... and again died during the war. Reproductions of individual plots hang in frames, and most of all in a harsh knightly land their kindness impresses:
Even the devil is cute here:
As for other elements of decoration, I’ll be honest - I forgot to photograph the explanatory signs, and forgot what was there. Most likely - again epitaphs, fragments of lost crypts, chapels. These angels are possibly the remains of an organ:
This ship made of candles is already modern, and candles are lit when they serve for those who have not returned from the sea:
Most of all I was interested in this object - maybe one of the locals will tell you?
I was also puzzled by this sarcophagus, which has clearly not survived to this day. Whose was he, and was he in the cathedral at all?
In the meantime, the most beautiful element of the cathedral is the recently recreated organ, an exact copy of the old one (1891):
You could also write a post about royal castle, about the views of the city from its tower, one each about Kneiphof, Altstadt, Löbenicht and Lomz, about Fortstadt and Haberberg, about the embankments and Lastadie, about Steindamm Street, about Paradenpatz Square, about Tragheim, about Rossgarten, about the Prussia Museum, about the museum of wooden architecture near the zoo, and only then - about railway stations, fortifications, suburban areas ... But all this is no more.
However, the Germans were such lovers of photography that they took cameras even to the front, and even Königsberg was photographed up and down. Probably, if I knew German, I would be able to rivet a full-fledged guide from pre-war photographs. But even without this - in the next three parts we will walk around the sights of the ghost town.
FAR WEST-2013
Kaliningrad Cathedral, Kant's island, Kant's museum and grave and magnificent organ we visit the sights of Kaliningrad on our own. Kant Island is a very popular place in Kaliningrad. On Kant Island there is the Cathedral, where the grave of the great philosopher Immanuel Kant and the monument to Duke Albrecht are located. People also come here to listen to the organ. It takes at least 3-4 hours to visit Kant Island, the Cathedral, the Kant Museum and a mini organ music concert, provided that you have planned a visit to the island, taking into account the mini organ music concert that day. We did not succeed and we visited Kant Island three times, however, we do not regret this, but it is noticeable from the photographs.
- Kant Island Kaliningrad
- Kaliningrad Cathedral is located: Kaliningrad, st. Kant, house 1, site http://sobor-kaliningrad.ru
- monument to Duke Albrecht Kaliningrad
- Kant Museum Kaliningrad
Kant Island Kaliningrad how to get
You can get to Kant Island in Kaliningrad on two roads along Leninsky Prospekt or along Oktyabrskaya Street, since Kant Island is really an island and two bridges lead to it, which are marked on the map with numbers 2 and 3. Number four indicates the next attraction of Kaliningrad " Fish Village, but that's next time.
Getting to Kant Island is easy. If you go by car, you need to dial the address Oktyabrskaya street house 2.
On public transport you have to go to the bus stop fish village(on the map at number 5)
Bus: 45
Shuttle taxi: t72, t80, t92
or another route
to stop SK Yunost(on the map at number 7) on Moskovsky Prospekt
Bus: 45, 49
Trolleybus: 2, 7
Shuttle taxi: t65, t72, t75, t77, t80, t87, t93
to stop Sailors' House of Culture(on the map at number 6) on Leninsky Prospekt
Bus: 1, 3, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 14, 17, 18, 19, 21, 23, 27, 30, 36, 37, 44, 49, 159, 106, 108
Trolleybus: 1, 5
Shuttle taxi: t62, t63, t64, t66, t67, t69, t70, t71, t77, t83, t84, t85, t87, t88, t89, t90, t93, t86
Tram: 3, 5
We chose to enter the island through the Honey Bridge (number 3 on the map) from Oktyabrskaya Street, as we traveled by car. Type on the navigator the address Oktyabrskaya street house 2 or 3 and the navigator will lead you exactly to the island.
Kant Island is really an island with two bridges
Approaching the indicated address, you can immediately see the Cathedral and the Honey Bridge.
Kaliningrad island Kant view of the honey bridge Before entering the bridge there are gates for pedestrians and cars, and next to the bridge there is a small free parking, by 10-15 cars, but we were always lucky with free parking spaces near Kant Island.
You can drive to the island by car, as you can see from the signs (in the next photo) there is no entry ban, but we did not stop by. Although when walking around the island and especially before the mini concert, ten cars parked at the cathedral.
Parking in front of the Honey Bridge As it is now fashionable, there are a lot of locks on the bridge from the newlyweds and not only.
Locks from the newlyweds on the Honey Bridge 
Castles are not just for honeymooners Cathedral of Kaliningrad
The cathedral is beautiful, and the territory is well-groomed and ennobled. September 13, 1333 is considered the founding day of the Cathedral. Founder Bishop Johannes Clare. Initially, the Cathedral was conceived as a church that performed defensive and fortress functions.
View of the Cathedral The first thing that greets us is a memorial sign with a bas-relief of the public figure Julius Rupp.
Memorial sign to public figure Julius Rupp 
When approaching the Cathedral, you notice some kind of bas-reliefs on the walls.
It immediately becomes clear that burials, but how could it be otherwise, this is a spiritual temple.
Bas-relief on the wall of the Cathedral 
If you walk around the cathedral counterclockwise, then from the end of the building you can see the grave of the great philosopher Immanuel Kant.
Grave of philosopher Immanuel Kant 
Opposite Kant's grave there is a monument to Duke Albrecht (the founder of Albertina), that is, the founder of the new state, and of everything else, including the university. The monument was erected near the Cathedral on the island of I. Kant, where the first building of Albertina was located.
Monument to Duke Albrecht 
Moving further, you can see more bas-reliefs on the walls of the cathedral building. In front of the cathedral, a strange construction made of plastic and metal is visible from the side, and on the opposite side is a toilet. We concluded that when concerts are held in the cathedral, this structure moves apart and connects the cathedral with the toilet.
On the way, not far from the entrance, we came across a sign that said that there would be a mini organ concert today. This is good luck for travelers like us, since the schedule of concerts did not fit in with our schedule for visiting the city of Kaliningrad, and I really wanted to listen to the organ, so it was very convenient to arrive today at two o'clock and listen to 30 minutes of organ music. In the meantime, it was decided to visit the Kant Museum in the Cathedral.
Information about the mini concert 
Facade of the Cathedral Also next to the entrance to the cathedral is a model of the main attractions.
Kant Museum Kaliningrad
In front of the very doors of the cathedral, a shield with prices for the services of the museum was put up.
Price list for the services of the Kant Museum Having bought a ticket and separately paid 50 rubles for a photo shoot, we quickly examined the Orthodox chapel on the ground floor, its entrance was next to the entrance to the museum and went to the museum.
Well, here it is for ancient castles. A small narrow door and a narrow spiral staircase to the second floor.
Entrance to the Kant Museum 
Spiral staircase to the second floor And here you are on the second floor where the exposition begins.
Museum exposition on the second floor 
I would like to recommend taking a guide when buying a ticket, this is an additional 150 rubles to your tickets. From the beginning, we didn’t take a guide and started exploring the exposition without him, but take my word for it, without a guide it won’t be interesting there, but with a tour, it was for the two of us, it became so interesting and learned so much interesting facts that the presented exhibits became clear. Without a guide, you won’t learn anything about Kant’s life, but it was touching and a little sad, and how the Albertina state was created. Take a guide and 30 minutes will pass in one breath.
Map of the three states on the site of the current city of Kaliningrad 
Coats of arms of these states Stained glass windows attract you all the way to visit the Cathedral.
Cathedral stained glass 
Hall dedicated to the life of Immanuel Kant on the fourth floor One of the greatest thinkers of mankind Immanuel Kant was born on April 22, 1724 in the then capital of East Prussia - the city of Koenigsberg (now Kaliningrad). I. Kant's father was a simple saddler who made horse harness, his mother was a housewife.
Hall on the fourth floor The guides note Kant's very correct life, his modesty and punctuality, but Kant was late for his wedding. They also note his smooth and beautiful handwriting.
Kant's own manual notes 
Staircase leading to the fourth floor of the museum 
In 1650, the son of Chancellor von Wallenrodt, who donated his library to the city, acquired "a useless and neglected building in the Kneiphof Church, at the top near the organ, near the bell tower" in order to place the library there for "the benefit of the student youth." Apparently in Europe this was the first time that a secular library was located in a temple. Visiting rules hung at the entrance to the library. For example: "He who intends to enter, let him clean his shoes of dirt, shake off dust or rainwater from his clothes"; “Do not cut or stain books with scissors or a book knife.”
Library on the third floor By 1944, the library had more than 20,000 publications. During the fire on August 30, 1944, some of the books were evacuated to the south of East Prussia.
Sculpture Park Museum on Kant Island
After the end of the tour, we walked around the “sculpture park”. Since there are no other buildings on the territory of Kant Island, the whole territory is a park with one main alley, which is called Kant Street and other small paths, on which various sculptures are located. The sculpture park was established in 1984. by decision of the Kaliningrad Executive Committee. All works are made of valuable materials such as bronze, granite, marble and metal. Their authors are well-known masters and all works are united by the theme "Man and the World". Now there are 23 sculptures.
Diagram of the sculpture park museum 
Peter the Great, 1989 
Panther, 1975 
Singing children, author M. Pereyaslavets, 1978 
Bridge over Kant Island along Leninsky Prospekt 
Central alley or Kant street We cross Kant street and move to the next sculptures.
World without war, author L. Romanova, 1981 This is the last 23 sculpture, which is located not far from the Honey Bridge, along which we entered the island.
Creation. World., 1982 In general, from the sculpture park, the impression is not unambiguous, but your opinion will be only after visiting the park.
Since we had two more hours before the start of the mini organ music concert, we went to visit another attraction of Kaliningrad. And after it they returned back to the island of Kant.
Concert Hall of the Cathedral of Kaliningrad
At two o'clock we were at the Cathedral in Kaliningrad and went to a mini concert. At the entrance to the concert hall itself, you are greeted by sculptures of two unusual animals.
We are met by interesting little animals 
The Cathedral of Kaliningrad or, as it is also called, Königsberg Cathedral is a business card, a kind of symbol and the main attraction of the city, which tourists and guests wish to visit regional center to personally verify its majesty and masterpiece.
Königsberg Cathedral
Cathedral history
When the construction of the cathedral began is unknown, but for the first time they started talking about it in 1333. And more precisely, then formally, September 13, 1333 began to be considered the date of birth. Construction work on the construction of the structure was completed in 1380. In fact, however, they lasted much longer.
The cathedral became main Catholic church the city of Koenigsberg, which glorified All Saints, the Virgin Mary and Jesus Christ, and existed in this form until the reformation of the church in the 16th century. In addition, in the historical past, it also existed as a Lutheran church in Prussia.
On the territory of the temple there are crypts in which the remains of noble nobles and clergy rest peacefully. Lutger von Braunschweig, Grand Master of the Order of the Teutonic Knights, was the first to be buried in 1335. In 1809, the heir to the royal couple, who was stillborn, was buried. In addition, many legendary figures are buried within the walls of the Königsberg Cathedral: Masters of the Teutonic Order, Zemland bishops, university professors and other eminent persons.
most famous person, resting in the crypts of the cathedral, is I. Kant an eminent German philosopher. Kant's grave stands out among others, as in 1924, in connection with the 200th anniversary of his birth, it was reconstructed in the form of a majestic monument.
Kant's grave
The largest library in Prussia, located inside the magnificent cathedral, the founder of which was Martin von Wallendorf, existed from the middle of the 17th century until the beginning of the Great Patriotic War. But the main pride for many centuries is considered organ, which first appeared in 1695.
Organ in the concert hall
During the war years, bombing the city, in 1945, the temple suffered enormous damage: almost all the halls and rooms inside the building burned out, all the architectural decoration was destroyed. Only ruin from the magnificent cathedral. It remained in this state until the end of the 20th century.
Since 1992, organized building restoration work, and since 1994 - on the restoration of the Cathedral, which were completed in 2005. During this time, it was possible to restore many architectural elements majestic building, to revive the historical interior solution Valennrod libraries, bring in the proper form of the tombstone, restore the roof, spire, clock and bells.
How to get there
A majestic building in the Gothic style, like a ghost of a historical the past of great Prussia, located in the very center of Kaliningrad, on Kant Island, and is the main actor architectural ensemble, in which the echoes of Soviet times, modernity and classical German antiquity are harmoniously intertwined.
Tourists and guests of the city should definitely visit the Cathedral, which deserves the attention of everyone, and absolutely everyone will like it with its beauty and decoration.
The location of the cathedral can be reached by public transport:
- tram3 or 5: from Victory Square (the center of Kaliningrad) to the stop "Fish Village", then 300 meters on foot;
Any fixed-route taxi : from Leninsky Prospekt to the Kaliningrad Hotel, go to the other side of the road and move along the bridge to Kant Island.
Anyway, spire of the majestic cathedral, which is visible from afar, will point you in the right direction.
museum complex
For many decades, the temple stood in a ruined state. Few believed that it could be restored to its original form. But there were people who were not indifferent to this situation, among them historians and researchers who stubbornly beat out funds and sought permission from high-ranking officials. Thanks to their efforts and perseverance, in 1992 it was necessary start recovery process, and as a result we have the opportunity to admire gothic façade Cathedral, its interior decoration and expositions Kant Museum.
Kant Museum
There is a purely symbolic fee for visiting the museum:
For adults - 150 rub.,
For pupils and students - 100 rub.
The cost of photo or video filming on the territory of the museum is 50 rub.
The possibility of free admission to the museum and organ concerts in the daytime is available to: children under the age of 7, employees museum complex and the sphere of culture, veterans of the Great Patriotic War, disabled people of 1-2 groups (without the right to work), military conscripts.
On the territory of the museum complex are held excursions, the route of which runs through unique architectural and historical objects: an Orthodox chapel, Valennrod library, the Kant Institute, etc.
Organ Hall
Concert hall capable of accommodating 700 people, is the main achievement of restorers. It houses the best organ complex in all of Russia, consisting of two organs(large and small) that sound amazing with limitless sonic possibilities.
Two organists are full-time employees of the cathedral and arrange small concerts for visitors. concerts for 40 minutes during the daytime every day. Special performances a couple of times a week guest organists both Russian and foreign.
Organ Hall
In addition, festivals and competitions are regularly held not only at the Russian, but also at the international level. Among the most famous are competition of organists. Mikaela Tariverdieva, which has been held on stage for several years.
Cathedral in Kaliningrad (Russia) - description, history, location. The exact address and website. Reviews of tourists, photos and videos.
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The Cathedral (aka Königsberg Cathedral) is one of the main attractions of Kaliningrad, it is from it that everyone starts tourist routes, is the oldest church in the city and its business card. Today, services are not held here, but organ concerts are regularly held, the concert hall of the cathedral with excellent acoustics is the largest in the region.
The Königsberg Cathedral houses the Immanuel Kant Museum and his grave.
A bit of history
The cathedral was first mentioned in documents in 1333. By 1380, it was decorated with frescoes and officially opened to parishioners, but the appearance was supplemented with various details until the 1640s. At the beginning of the 16th century, the temple was converted into a Lutheran one, and then the Königsberg University was founded, and the cathedral became a university church. Then the Wallenrod Library and the "professor's tomb" settled here, where Immanuel Kant, the most famous resident cities throughout its history.
Cathedral today
During the Great Patriotic War, the cathedral burned down, the new look in the German Gothic style is the result of restoration. Only a few stone epitaphs survived from the pre-war interior decoration. The famous clock on the tower, bells, and the inner hall were restored. A colonnade was erected over the dark granite sarcophagus of Kant, and the main hall of the church was turned into a concert hall.
Several rooms are occupied by the Immanuel Kant Museum. In other rooms there is an exposition telling about the history of the cathedral and the island of Kneiphof, as well as about famous citizens. Here you can see a collection of coins and banknotes, a carved wooden library and a mini-organ.
Inside the tower clock is a modern mechanism that sets exact time by satellite.
Practical Information
Address: Kaliningrad, st. Kanta, 1. Website.
Opening hours: daily, except January 1; from October to April - from 10:00 to 18:00, from May to September - from 10:00 to 19:00.
Entrance: to the Kant Museum - 250 RUB for adults and 100 RUB for schoolchildren and students, to the organ hall - 100 RUB for adults and 50 RUB for schoolchildren and students, concert - from 350 RUB, guided tour of the museum and concert complex of the Cathedral guide - 500 RUB for adults and 300 RUB for schoolchildren and students. Prices on the page are for February 2019.