Kaliningrad, Russia’s westernmost region: 100 years ago and today (PHOTOS)
How the city sandwiched between Poland and Lithuania - and cut off from the rest of Russia - looked 100 years ago.
Kaliningrad is Russia’s unique corner of old Europe. The author of ‘The Critique of Pure Reason’, philosopher Immanuel Kant, is buried there. The city, once known as Konigsberg, used to be a part of Prussia, before passing to the Soviet Union after World War II. Today, it is an exclave, separated from mainland Russia by other countries. However, a century on, it continues to embody the spirit of two distinct cultures - German and Soviet. Authentic traces of the former can still be seen around town, especially the architecture. Elsewhere, the city exudes a distinctly Soviet vibe. The photographs below document its changing face over the past century.
Konigsberg Castle - House of Soviets
View of the Konigsberg Cathedral
Rybnaya Derevnya - a former trade district
Konigsberg Stock Exchange
View of the Wooden Bridge
Lower Lake
Leninsky Prospekt - the city’s main street
Kreuz-Apotheke
Rossgarten Gate (Horse Garden)
Kneiphöfische Langgasse
Konigsberg Zoo
Grain elevators
Brandenburg Gate
