Organ concerts on the island of Kant. Cathedral in Kaliningrad

Kaliningrad Cathedral, Kant's island, Kant's museum and grave and a 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 the 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 there is also a small free parking lot next to the bridge, for 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 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 as it should be 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 Humanity 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

A story with a photo about the very "heart" of old Kaliningrad - Kant Island, formed by the branches of the Pregol River, and the recently restored Cathedral of the city.

The fact that we have the opportunity to admire Cathedral of Kaliningrad, we owe first of all to Kant - or rather, to his grave, located right there on the island of Kant next to the cathedral. Or, more precisely, the respect that the leader of the world proletariat had for the famous Konigsberg thinker. Do not mention Lenin Kant so complimentary in your speeches and writings, the heart of Old Kaliningrad is Kant Island, which is Kneiphof would look completely different today, and for good reason.

On August 20, 1944, the British began a three-day bombardment of Königsberg, which resulted in the complete destruction of Kneiphof: the Royal Castle, and the triple Old Town - Alstadt, Lebenicht and Kneiphof- and from the famous Cathedral by May 1945, only a charred skeleton remained. And the victors would have blown it up - at home we and completely entire churches were blown up - but someone remembered Lenin and Kant in time. So the fate of the other buildings of Kaliningrad, which were dismantled for building materials, and then quite rightly sent by barges to long-suffering Leningrad to be used in its restoration, did not suffer: it was decided to leave it as it is - they say, let the descendants deal with all these talkers Kant , the Soviet occupation authorities at that time had their worries through the roof.

Then, immediately after the victory over Germany, there was still no final decision on the further ownership of East Prussia and Kaliningrad-Königsberg, and the winners sought to take absolutely everything that could be useful in the restoration of Soviet cities destroyed by the Germans to the USSR. After the end of the war until the beginning of perestroika, the Cathedral was a huge and gradually crumbling ruins, the authorities of Kaliningrad considered it a “symbol of Prussian militarism” and had absolutely no desire to restore it. The restoration of the Cathedral began only in the 90s of the last century, and about Most of the work was carried out with German money, which was not approved by everyone in Kaliningrad: it was widely believed that this was only the first step towards "creeping Germanization".

Old Kaliningrad: Kant Island

Once this place was called Kneiphof and one half of it belonged to the bishop, and ordinary citizens were allowed to settle in the second. And this division is associated interesting story. East Prussia in those days was the edge of the "civilized world" and all the news from Europe was brought here by messengers. So, in order to get to the castle or to the bishop, they had to pass that half of Kneiphof, where the townspeople lived. And they came up with the idea of ​​intercepting them on the way, feeding them (and, most importantly, giving them a good drink - so that the messenger would only be able to crawl to their destination the next day) and thus learn important news before the authorities. For example, if a messenger brought news of a crop failure to the castle, the townspeople, having learned about it in advance, sharply raised the price of grain and flour, and so on. So already in those days information ruled the world.

In addition to the Cathedral and big park, today there is nothing on the island, but this was far from always the case: once the island was a district of Koenigsberg named Kneiphof and had a very dense residential development - as of 1939, there were 304 houses and 28 streets on the island, and lived there 20 thousand people - completely destroyed by British bombers.

The main attraction of Kant Island, in addition to the recently restored Cathedral, is, of course, the grave of the famous philosopher:

Kant's grave

Officially, “the restless old man Immanuel” (by Bulgakov’s definition) is considered the last to be buried in the “professor’s tomb” of the Kaliningrad Cathedral in 1804 - but the philosopher’s grave is located not inside the building, but near it. Apparently, this is a reflection of the difficult relationship between the great Koenigsberger and the church: on the one hand, Kant’s independent views and judgments did not allow him to be buried inside the cathedral, and on the other hand, the same Kant argued that religion without a church is unthinkable. Again, it was Kant who, from the standpoint of reason and logic, "destroyed" the five proofs of the Existence of God - but he also formulated his own "Kant's proof".

Kant, the son of a simple saddler and housewife, who was born on April 22, 1724 and later became a world famous philosopher, was not destined to find peace even after his death: his grave was either destroyed (for example, by Napoleon's soldiers), then restored, or simply transferred from place to place . The museum of the Cathedral has an interesting picture illustrating the "acquisition" of Kant's skull during regular excavations.

In 1880, a neo-Gothic chapel was erected over Kant's grave, which in 1924, on the 200th anniversary of Kant, was replaced by a colonnade with thirteen pink porphyry columns; moreover, the new building contrasts strikingly in its appearance with the Cathedral itself.

Inside the colonnade, a stone tombstone is installed, which is a cenotaph - that is, there are no remains of Kant under it, they lie deeper.

A bronze statue looks down on the last refuge of the great philosopher. Duke Albrecht, the founder of the Albertina University (by the way, Martin Luther advised the Duke to establish the university), whose tomb was less fortunate than the cathedral - what was left of it after the battles for the city is now exhibited inside the Cathedral.

Statue of Duke Albrecht

Actually, the statue of the duke is not original: it was installed in 2005 in honor of the 750th anniversary of Kaliningrad. The original version of the work of the sculptor Johann Friedrich Reusch could not be saved from being melted down, which is a pity: it was remarkable at least by the hands of the duke - as you know, Reusch found the sitter for the statue of Albrecht in the port of Koenigsberg. As a result, the statue of an aristocrat who rarely lifted anything heavier than a china cup in his life had the powerful arms of a longshoreman.

Between the Cathedral and Honey Bridge you can find Monument to Julius Rupp, theologian and university lecturer:

And Kant, and Adalbert, and Rupp united Königsberg University, the oldest university in Prussia - which, unfortunately, did not save him from death under British bombs in the summer of 1944.

By the way, there is another statue nearby, erected in honor of an aristocrat who had considerable growth and did not shy away from physical labor. Meaning Peter I, whose monument flaunts near the main entrance to the Cathedral.

Statue of Peter the Great

>Peter was installed on Kant Island in memory of the visit by the Russian emperor to the house of the local governor of Negelein. The autocrat visited the latter twice: first incognito, as part of the Great Embassy of 1697, and in 1709 Peter and his wife Catherine visited an old acquaintance already openly, returning from the city of Torgau, where the marriage of Tsarevich Alexei and the German princess Charlotte of Wolfenbüttel took place. In the same Torgau, where, after 236 years, the “meeting on the Elbe” of the allies in the anti-Hitler coalition took place.

By the way, about the allies and their contribution to the destruction of the old Kaliningrad-Königsberg. The vengeful British couldn't let Germany be defeated by the Soviet Union before they razed several German cities to dust in retaliation for the Luftwaffe's bombing of London. And so, at the very end of the war, about two hundred British Lancasters tried to grind the then capital of East Prussia into brick chips, and at the same time show the Soviet authorities (still allies, but it was already clear that we would soon become irreconcilable rivals) all the power of aviation " Her Majesty." Both goals have been achieved: Old city The future of Kaliningrad was seriously destroyed, and the “soviets” took such a warning with all due seriousness and tried to speed up the development of Soviet atomic weapons and their means of delivery as much as possible. And very soon, after Hiroshima and Nagasaki, it became clear how right they were.

There is another version of the reasons for such a fierce bombardment of Koenigsberg by the British Air Force - let's say, conspiracy theories. According to it, even before the war on Kant Island, in the heart of today's old Kaliningrad, the Nazis created the secret laboratory "Königsberg-13", where the German "rune warriors" conducted mystical experiments to create a new terrible superweapon capable of bringing victory to the "race of demigods" in war with the undermens. Well, they conjured there - and let them conjure, the master's business, but once Winston Churchill was informed that Nazi mystics had created his voodoo doll at the mentioned laboratory with the most obvious bad intentions towards the British prime minister. Sir Churchill did not take this news as nonsense, but ordered the Royal Air Force to stop such outrages - which resulted in a devastating bombardment of the Prussian capital by the aforementioned Lancasters. Whether the British bombs got that laboratory remains unknown, but the complete destruction of the governor's house (the one where Tsar Peter once visited), the city hall and many more is clearly documented. unique buildings old Königsberg.

Cathedral of Kaliningrad

It is generally accepted that the construction of the Cathedral, dedicated to the Highly Sacred Body of Jesus Christ, the Virgin Mary, All Saints and Saint Adalbert, began in 1333 - and this is the figure that flaunts on the weather vane of the North Tower. When it turned out that the parishioners no longer fit into the old Lutheran church, the Teutonic Order allowed the local bishop to build a new cathedral on Kneiphof.

However, five years after the start of construction (in total it lasted eighty years), the master of the order called the bishop to him and asked why he was building “another fortress” on the island. The fact is that the original project provided for the construction of a cathedral-fortress, because the territory had just been conquered by the Order and was located on the very border. However, the grand master of the order, Luther of Brunswick, considered that "there is no need to build another fortress at an arrow's flight distance from the castle of the order."

Thus, it was necessary to make changes to the project and in the future the cathedral was erected exclusively as a religious building. However, this was not without complications: the soil on Kant Island is very unstable and about a thousand oak piles were driven under the foundation of the church (according to other sources, the piles were made of Norwegian larch - the only tree hardening from water and which does not eat bark beetle). During the construction there was a shrinkage of the soil, a wall cracked on the main nave of the cathedral, and now the axes of the two cathedral towers diverge by one and a half meters. To hide this defect, another “camouflage” turret was installed on the roof of the cathedral.

Cathedral of Kaliningrad

At the end of the 19th century, an inspector for architectural monuments East Prussia examined the cathedral and with German scrupulousness reported to his superiors about his deplorable state. By that time, builders in Europe were already using concrete with might and main, and it was from this material that a special “substrate” was made, which in 1902 was placed under the foundation of the building so that it would no longer sink into the loose soil of Kneiphof (by the time the inspector checked the Cathedral, the shrinkage was 1, 2 meters). If not for this substrate, it is unlikely that the cathedral survived the English raid and its skeleton stood until the end of the last century.

After its restoration, the Kaliningrad Cathedral, built in the brick (Baltic) Gothic style, is one of the most famous Gothic buildings in Russia. Currently, the temple is not functioning and services are held only in the Orthodox and Evangelical chapels located inside. The rest of the area of ​​the Cathedral is used as a museum and a concert hall.

Entering the huge concert hall on the first floor, you can see one of the largest organs in Europe, on which the composer and storyteller Hoffmann once played music. It makes sense to climb the spiral staircase higher and see the unique exposition of the museum dedicated to Kant. During its inspection, you can see the famous restored stained-glass windows, the font in which Kant and his death mask were baptized, as well as tombstones and epitaphs of the most respected citizens buried in the walls of the cathedral.

A ticket to the museum costs 150 rubles, another 50 rubles will have to be paid for permission to take pictures. When visiting the museum, I recommend taking a guide (it will cost an additional 150 rubles to the main ticket price) - without his explanation, the purpose and history of many exhibits will be completely incomprehensible. But with a guide, everything falls into place and a 30-minute visit to the museum turns into a memorable event. The guide tells in detail and interestingly from the life of Kant, the creation of the "Albertina state" and much more.

After the war, Kaliningrad was the only place in the Soviet Union where filmmakers could find "real Germany" - albeit thoroughly destroyed. Therefore, many films, primarily about the war, were filmed here. For example, the Cathedral flashed in one of the episodes of the film "Zhenya, Zhenechka and Katyusha" - against its background, a soldier overturns a canister of fuel.

Official website of the Kaliningrad Cathedral Schedule of organ music concerts

Old Kaliningrad: Sculpture Park on Kant Island

As I already wrote, until the beginning of the 90s of the last century, there was nothing on Kant Island except the ruins of the cathedral and trees, which were planted specially to correct this gloomy picture at least a little - after all, the very center of the city. At some point, the authorities tried to change this situation, and in the 1980s, by decision of the Kaliningrad Executive Committee, sculptures were sent from the USSR Art Fund to Kaliningrad, which were then installed in the park. Right now in sculpture park presented 23 works, united common theme"Man and the World", among which two can be distinguished:

"World without war", 1981

"Creation", 1982

Kant Island: Honey Bridge

Once upon a time there were several bridges on Kneiphof: Blacksmith, Lavochny, Trebukhovy, Green. Honey, along which today you can walk from the Cathedral to the Fish Village, was built later than all - in 1542.

honey bridge

View of the Cathedral and the Honey Bridge from the Fish Village:

Fish village, view from the Honey Bridge:

Kaliningrad, Kant Island - how to get there

By car: in the navigator you need to type the address Oktyabrskaya street house 2.
By public transport:
1. To the stop Fish Village: by bus 45, minibus t72, t80, t92
2. To the stop of SK Yunost, located on Moskovsky Prospekt: ​​bus: 45, 49; trolleybus: 2, 7; minibus t65, t72, t75, t77, t80, t87, t93.
3. To the stop House of Culture of Sailors 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; tram 3, 5; minibus t62, t63, t64, t66, t67, t69, t70, t71, t77, t83, t84, t85, t87, t88, t89, t90, t93, t86.

Useful links around Kaliningrad:

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Unforgettable walks in the old Kaliningrad!
Your Roman Mironenko

Kant Island and the Cathedral located on it, Kant's grave, the Kant Museum are the most visited sights of Königsberg (Kaliningrad).

Kant Island

Kneiphof Island, or Kant Island, is an island part of the city, which is located in the center of Kaliningrad and is surrounded by the waters of the Pregol River. On the territory of the island in a spacious park rises the Cathedral.

Once upon a time, an entire city was located on the island territory. Its existence was first mentioned in XIV century. By 1944, the city had 305 houses, 27 streets, a cathedral and a town hall. The island was connected to mainland five bridges. Trams ran through the streets. But in the summer of 1944, during the bombing, the town was completely destroyed.

In the 70s, a park was set up on the island. They cultivate the territory and place the Sculpture Park (they were taken from the museum's storeroom), mark the paths and paths of the park.

In the early 1990s, the Cathedral was restored. Three religious denominations were housed in the chapels, it is currently inactive.

The island park is favorite place walks, recreation and cultural pastime of citizens and tourists.

There is something to see here. In addition to the Cathedral, you can visit the Kant Museum, his grave, sculpture park. In the cathedral you can relax from the bustle of the city and listen to the organ.

Cathedral

The Königsberg Cathedral, or currently the Cathedral of Kaliningrad, is located in the historical center of the city, on its island part.

Here the first cathedral was built at the end of the 13th century and was the only temple of the city on the island of Kneiphof. In the middle of the 14th century, it was demolished and the construction of a more spacious temple began, using the bricks of the destroyed cathedral. The date of completion of construction is considered to be 1380, but the design work continued for some time.

The cathedral was originally Catholic, but in 1519 the last Catholic mass was held here, and a few years later the first evangelical service took place - on German. The cathedral turned into a city Lutheran church.

Some time later, a building of the Albertina University building was built nearby.

After that, the cathedral began to serve as a university church, its southern tower was used as the Wallenrod Library.

In 1558, a professorial tomb was built at the cathedral, in which they began to bury university teachers.

Immanuel Kant was the last to find eternal rest here. After 200 years from the date of his birth, a portico dedicated to the philosopher was installed on the eastern side of the cathedral.

At the end of the 17th century, an organ appeared in the cathedral, and in 1888 another one was brought and installed.

During the Anglo-American bombing of 1945, the cathedral was badly damaged, there was a strong fire on the island. People extinguished it on their own, but they failed to save the historical decoration of the cathedral and most of the residential buildings.

After the end of the war, the cathedral remained in a state of ruins for a long time. It was not demolished only thanks to Kant's grave, which is located near its walls.

The first attempt to restore the cathedral was made in the 70s, but it did more harm than good. The pediment of the northern tower was accidentally destroyed and the floor epitaphs were badly damaged.

Seriously approached the issue of restoration of the cathedral only in the early 90s. But these works also cause a lot of criticism from historians. The restorers restored the cathedral, but not in exact accordance with its pre-war predecessor.

Currently, the Cathedral is one of the decorations of the city and its symbol.

He is inactive. Regular services are not held here, the building is used for organ music concerts, to house the expositions of the cathedral and the Kant Museum.

But at the cathedral there are Orthodox and Evangelical chapels.

The first service was held here on Easter 1992, in 1995 a common service was held for Orthodox, Catholics and Protestants.

At the northeast side of the cathedral there is a memorial open gallery with columns. It was built on the burial place of the German philosopher Immanuel Kant.

Kant's ashes were buried in the professorial tomb in 1804. In 1880, a chapel was built over the grave, but in 1918 it was destroyed, and a gallery was erected in its place in the form of a columned hall with a cenotaph (sarcophagus) on a pedestal.

After the bombings in 1944, Kant's grave in Kaliningrad survived completely, and the cathedral was badly damaged, leaving only ruins. During the years of Soviet power, the grave of the philosopher saved the cathedral from total destruction.

In 1960, Kant's memorial grave became an object under the special protection of the state, currently it is an object of cultural heritage.

The inscription on Kant's grave is very modest. His name and years of life are engraved.

Kant's grave is located in the park area of ​​the island and is one of the most famous sights of Kaliningrad.

Biography of the German Philosopher

The life and work of the great philosopher are closely connected with Königsberg, the university, the island of Kneiphof, where he found his eternal rest.

Immanuel Kant was born in Königsberg in 1724 into a poor family of a craftsman. After graduating from high school, he entered the university. Due to the death of his father, he was unable to complete his studies, he was forced to become a home teacher for 10 years.

In 1755 he defended his dissertation, which gave him the right to teach at the university.

From 1755 to 1770 he taught mathematics, physics and philosophy at the university.

He died in 1804 and was buried in the professorial tomb of the Königsberg University.

Kant Museum

The Philosopher's Museum is located on the fourth floor of the Cathedral, several exhibition halls present expositions: "Kant and his entourage", "Kant and Russia", "Memorial Hall".

The history of the life path of the German philosopher is presented in the memorial hall. Here you can learn about his hobbies, scientific activities, works, people who surrounded him and whom he loved. The museum tells in detail about the local Freemasons and the customs of the Masonic lodges of the XVIII-XIX centuries. The windows of the museum are decorated with stained-glass windows with Freemason symbols.

The museum exhibits museum expositions that tell about the history of Kneiphof Island (Kant Island), the Wallenrodt Library and Königsberg University, with which Kant's scientific activity is closely connected.

How to get to Kant Island (Kaliningrad)

You can get to the island along Leninsky Prospekt or Oktyabrskaya Street. Two bridges lead to the island.

By car, you should move to the address Oktyabrskaya street, house 2.

To the stop "Fish Village":

• fixed-route taxi No. t92, t72, t80;
• bus number 45.

To stop SK "Yunost":

• fixed-route taxi No. t75, t93t72, t80, t77, t87, t65;
• trolley bus No. 2, 7;
• bus number 49 and 45.

To the stop "House of Culture of Sailors":

• bus No. 23.7, 44, 37, 108, 11, 27, 106, 12, 14, 8, 17, 9, 19, 1, 21, 18, 30, 10, 36, 49, 159, 3;
• trolleybus No. 5 and 1;
• fixed-route taxi: t64, t93, t85, t66, t89, t67, t69, t87, t71, t90, t77, t62, t83, t86t70, t84, t88, t63;
• tram number 5 and 3.

Where is Kant's grave located: how to get there?

The main landmark in the search for the grave of the German philosopher is the Cathedral. The grave is located at the northeast corner of the cathedral.

You can get to Kant's grave by car, taxi, public transport to the Honey Bridge, cross the river to the Cathedral.

In addition to Kant Island, where the memory of him is immortalized and where his memorial grave is located, in his honor in the city of Kaliningrad there are installed:

• a monument next to the university;
• personalized Kant's bench near the Museum of the World Ocean;
• an office in the building of Kaliningrad University (formerly Albertina University).

The Cathedral of Kaliningrad or, as it is also called, Königsberg Cathedral is calling card, a kind of symbol and the main attraction of the city, which tourists and guests of the regional center wish to visit in order 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.

The 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, founded by Martin von Wallendorf, existed from the middle of the 17th century until the start of World War II. 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 of the majestic building, to revive the historical interior design 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 the island of Kant, and is the main character 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 of the museum complex and the cultural sector, veterans of the Second World War, disabled people of groups 1-2 (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 bodies(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.

How to get to the Kaliningrad Cathedral on your own. Opening hours of the museum and organ hall, Kant's grave in the Cathedral.

There are many in this city ancient monuments, annually attracting lovers of antiquity from all over the world. The place of honor in popularity among the sights of Kaliningrad is occupied by the Cathedral (Kreuzkirche), erected at the beginning of the 14th century under the leadership of Bishop John.

Cathedral of the times of Königsberg

The Cathedral of Kaliningrad was the central temple district of Kneiphof, where services were regularly held with the presence of the first persons of the city and the state.

Today you can admire the cathedral of the former Königsberg in its original form!

The remains of nobles and spiritual dignitaries lie in the crypts of the cathedral. The first grave belongs to the Grand Master of the Order of the Teutonic Knights Lutger von Braunschweig and has been located here since 1335. The last burial was made in 1809 - it belongs to the stillborn son of Princess Marianne and Prince Wilhelm. Among the legendary personalities who found their last refuge within the walls of the Königsberg Cathedral, there is more than one master Teutonic Order, several Zemland Bishops, professors of the local university and other equally significant people.

But the most prominent person, whose grave is also located within the walls of the cathedral, was the German philosopher Immanuel Kant. His burial stands out from the rest: relatively recently (in relation to the age of the cathedral, of course), namely in 1924, in honor of the 200th anniversary of Kant, a portico was built over his grave.

Until the Second World War, the Cathedral was a model of splendor; its walls housed one of the largest libraries in Prussia, founded by Martin von Walendorf in the 50s of the 17th century. In addition, the temple was proud of one of the largest organs in Europe.

But as a result of Allied air raids at the end of World War II, the cathedral was destroyed, and the interior decoration was lost. However, tombstones and epitaphs miraculously managed to survive.

Cathedral of Kaliningrad

Decades later, researchers and historians who studied the ruins of the cathedral managed to find funds and obtain an order to begin the restoration of the Kaliningrad Cathedral. It happened only in 1992. Thanks to an unexpected decision in those troubled times, today everyone can enjoy not only the facade of the cathedral that has risen from the ruins, but also the exposition of the museum named after I. Immanuel Kant.

Map of Königsberg and souvenirs on the territory of the Kaliningrad Cathedral

The route of the tour of the Cathedral includes a visit to the Kant Institute, an Orthodox chapel, a library restored “from the ashes”, etc.

But the main achievement of the restorers is the opening of a concert hall designed for 700 visitors. The organ complex located here has no equal on the territory of Russia. It consists of a large and small organs and allows you to achieve amazingly rich sounds. In addition, the acoustic possibilities of the Cathedral itself are said to be limitless!

One conclusion can be drawn: the architects managed to restore not only the "body" of the cathedral to the smallest detail, but also to resurrect the spirit that hovered in these walls for many centuries of the cathedral's life.

Cathedral - how to get there

Kaliningrad Cathedral is located in the heart of Kneiphof Island (or Kant Island, as it is called), at the address: st. Kant, 1.

You can get to the island from Victory Square by tram No. 3, 5. The Fish Village stop, from which you will have to walk 300 meters. If Leninsky Prospekt is closer to you, choose any minibus and get off near. Then cross the road and move across the road bridge to Kneiphof - you will notice the Gothic spire from afar.

Opening hours of the museum and organ hall

Currently, Orthodox and Protestant chapels are open in the premises of the Cathedral. The following museum expositions are open: “History of Kneiphof Island”, “Immanuel Kant and Koenigsberg”, “Cathedral. Resurrection from the Ruins”, “Wallenrodt Library”.

In the altar part, at the stage of restoration, the gravestone of Duke Albrecht, a monument to which can be seen on the territory of the temple, opposite the grave of Kant.

Opening hours of the Cathedral: from 09-00 to 17-00 seven days a week.

Information can be specified on the official website - www.sobor-kaliningrad.ru. There you can also find the schedule of organ music concerts in the Kaliningrad Cathedral.

Excursions around Kaliningrad and the region

Unusual routes organized local residents. Creative people come up with excursions, who have something to tell about the city and its surroundings. They will tell you where to spend time and what you can save on.

Hotels in Kreuzkirche

If you liked the location of the Cathedral, then your intuition did not let you down - if somewhere it is worth living in Kaliningrad, then it is in the area of ​​Kant Island. On the map below you will find all the hotels located in the vicinity of Kreuzkirche.

Summing up

It does not matter whether you are interested in the history of the building, whether you want to admire the restored library or whether you like organ music. If you have arrived in Kaliningrad for the first time, you should know that you will not be able to avoid visiting the Cathedral, because this is the soul of the city.