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This Russian exclave between Poland and Lithuania on the Baltic Sea is the country’s westernmost regional center. Not only in terms of geography but also its spirit and atmosphere, give it the reputation of Russia’s “most westernized city”. Founded in 1255, it bore the German name of Königsberg before 1946.

During WWII, the Soviet army stormed the city as part of the East Prussian Offensive, carried out by the Red Army against the German Wehrmacht on the Eastern Front.

Following the decision of the Potsdam Conference, the northern part of the Eastern Prussia province, together with its capital Königsberg, temporarily became part of the USSR, and then permanently after the signing of the border treaty. The Soviet Union renamed the city as Kaliningrad after Mikhail Kalinin.

The city was badly destroyed during World War II. But today it looks attractive and neat, with lots of sights to amaze the tourists. One can find there architectural masterpieces of different ages like churches and cathedrals along with the old Brandenburger Tor, Königstor and Friedländer Tor, built in the 17th, 18th, and 19th centuries respectively. The names of museums would hardly leave you disinterested, like the Museum of World Oceans or the Amber Museum.

Published: 05 May 2011

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The Curonian Spit

Lagoon near Svetlogorsk

Svetlogorsk