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Sights of
the Kaliningrad Region
the Kaliningrad Region
A journey east: Pravdinsk and Zheleznodorozhny
Pravdinsk.
First we drove into Pravdinsk — a town in the Kaliningrad region that used to be called Friedland. It is an ancient settlement with a rich history, founded in the 14th century by the Teutonic Order.
Old German houses have also survived in Pravdinsk — many of them have been restored. On the right in the photo the so-called “Napoleon’s House” is being restored.
First we drove into Pravdinsk — a town in the Kaliningrad region that used to be called Friedland. It is an ancient settlement with a rich history, founded in the 14th century by the Teutonic Order.
Old German houses have also survived in Pravdinsk — many of them have been restored. On the right in the photo the so-called “Napoleon’s House” is being restored.
The Church of St. George the Great Martyr and Victory-Bearer.
One of the main sights of the town is the Church of St. George the Great Martyr and Victory-Bearer. This church can be seen from afar — it catches the eye immediately from the road. A massive building with a tall tower, built in the Gothic style, it has survived since the 14th century and is a reminder of the medieval history of these places. Today an Orthodox church operates in the building of the kirche.
One of the main sights of the town is the Church of St. George the Great Martyr and Victory-Bearer. This church can be seen from afar — it catches the eye immediately from the road. A massive building with a tall tower, built in the Gothic style, it has survived since the 14th century and is a reminder of the medieval history of these places. Today an Orthodox church operates in the building of the kirche.
In the church you can climb the bell tower. It is wooden, made in a style reminiscent of old Prussian buildings: with exposed beams, neat railings and simple but elegant details. From the top there is a beautiful view of all of Pravdinsk and its surroundings — the town as if on the palm of your hand: red roofs, green trees and the smooth ribbon of the Lava River.
The monument to the St. George Cross
Not far from the kirche stands a monument to the St. George Cross. It is a modern work, but done very stylishly and harmoniously fitted into the historic atmosphere of the town. The monument is dedicated to one of the most revered Russian orders — the St. George Cross, a symbol of courage and military valour.
Not far from the kirche stands a monument to the St. George Cross. It is a modern work, but done very stylishly and harmoniously fitted into the historic atmosphere of the town. The monument is dedicated to one of the most revered Russian orders — the St. George Cross, a symbol of courage and military valour.
The settlement of Zheleznodorozhny.
After Pravdinsk we stopped by the settlement of Zheleznodorozhny — a small but very interesting locality in the Kaliningrad region. The settlement traces its history back to the 14th century: in 1335 the Teutonic Order founded a settlement here, which was named Gumbinnen. Later, in the 18th–19th centuries, Gumbinnen became an important administrative centre of East Prussia. Fierce battles took place here during the First World War — in 1914 the famous Battle of Gumbinnen between Russian and German troops took place near the town.
The World War I monument.
A memorial dedicated to the participants of the First World War has been erected in memory of the battles.
After the Second World War, when these lands passed to the Soviet Union, the town was renamed Zheleznodorozhny — the name is connected with the railway that runs through the settlement and has always played an important role in its life.
After Pravdinsk we stopped by the settlement of Zheleznodorozhny — a small but very interesting locality in the Kaliningrad region. The settlement traces its history back to the 14th century: in 1335 the Teutonic Order founded a settlement here, which was named Gumbinnen. Later, in the 18th–19th centuries, Gumbinnen became an important administrative centre of East Prussia. Fierce battles took place here during the First World War — in 1914 the famous Battle of Gumbinnen between Russian and German troops took place near the town.
The World War I monument.
A memorial dedicated to the participants of the First World War has been erected in memory of the battles.
After the Second World War, when these lands passed to the Soviet Union, the town was renamed Zheleznodorozhny — the name is connected with the railway that runs through the settlement and has always played an important role in its life.
The railway station and the Water Tower
The railway station of Zheleznodorozhny is an old building from the late 19th century, still a working station with characteristic German architecture.
The water tower in Zheleznodorozhny is a building from the early 20th century, located next to the station.
The railway station of Zheleznodorozhny is an old building from the late 19th century, still a working station with characteristic German architecture.
The water tower in Zheleznodorozhny is a building from the early 20th century, located next to the station.
Gerdauen Castle.
The remains of an ancient castle of the Teutonic Order from the 14th century. Today fragments of the walls and fortifications have survived, conveying the atmosphere of the Middle Ages.
The Castle Mill.
A historic structure from 1909 on the bank of the Zheleznodorozhnaya River. It is a 3–4-storey building made of red ceramic brick.
The remains of an ancient castle of the Teutonic Order from the 14th century. Today fragments of the walls and fortifications have survived, conveying the atmosphere of the Middle Ages.
The Castle Mill.
A historic structure from 1909 on the bank of the Zheleznodorozhnaya River. It is a 3–4-storey building made of red ceramic brick.
The Gerdauen kirche.
The kirche was built in 1345. There are no windows on the north side — it served a defensive role as part of the town wall. During the First World War a shell hit the building, piercing it through. During the Second World War the kirche was not damaged, but later, for lack of care, the building began to fall into ruin.
The kirche was built in 1345. There are no windows on the north side — it served a defensive role as part of the town wall. During the First World War a shell hit the building, piercing it through. During the Second World War the kirche was not damaged, but later, for lack of care, the building began to fall into ruin.
The Post Office.
The old post office building was built in the early 20th century, still in the German period. A neat brick building with arched windows and a tiled roof. Even today, despite its age, it looks well kept and continues to perform its function.
The old post office building was built in the early 20th century, still in the German period. A neat brick building with arched windows and a tiled roof. Even today, despite its age, it looks well kept and continues to perform its function.
The Orthodox Church of Saints Peter and Paul.
A modern Orthodox church that blends harmoniously into the look of the settlement.
A modern Orthodox church that blends harmoniously into the look of the settlement.
A quarter of old town buildings.
A small part of the settlement centre with neatly restored houses — it feels like a walk through a small European town
A small part of the settlement centre with neatly restored houses — it feels like a walk through a small European town
The locks of the Masurian Canal.
The locks of the Masurian Canal are one of the most unusual sights in the vicinity of Zheleznodorozhny. Construction of the canal began in 1911 in East Prussia. It was meant to connect the Masurian Lakes with the Pregolya River and the Baltic Sea. After the war the construction was never completed. Now you can see the remains of the old locks — massive concrete structures overgrown with moss and surrounded by forest. It is an interesting and slightly mysterious place, reminiscent of the grand engineering projects of the past. The Georgenfelde lock is the largest of those surviving in the region. It is the fifth lock of the Masurian Canal (No. 5), and its depth is 15.5 metres.
The locks of the Masurian Canal are one of the most unusual sights in the vicinity of Zheleznodorozhny. Construction of the canal began in 1911 in East Prussia. It was meant to connect the Masurian Lakes with the Pregolya River and the Baltic Sea. After the war the construction was never completed. Now you can see the remains of the old locks — massive concrete structures overgrown with moss and surrounded by forest. It is an interesting and slightly mysterious place, reminiscent of the grand engineering projects of the past. The Georgenfelde lock is the largest of those surviving in the region. It is the fifth lock of the Masurian Canal (No. 5), and its depth is 15.5 metres.
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