One of the most significant operations carried out by the Red Army in 1945 was the storming of Königsberg and the liberation of East Prussia.

Fortifications of the Grolman Upper Front, Oberteich bastion after surrender /

Fortifications of the Grolman Upper Front, Oberteich Bastion. Courtyard.

Troops of the 10th Tank Corps of the 5th Guards Tank Army of the 2nd Belorussian Front occupy the city of Mühlhausen (now the Polish city of Mlynary) during the Mlavsko-Elbing operation.

German soldiers and officers taken prisoner during the assault on Konigsberg.

A column of German prisoners is walking along Hindenburg Strasse in the city of Insterburg (East Prussia), towards the Lutheran Church (now the city of Chernyakhovsk, Lenin Street).

Soviet soldiers carry weapons of their dead comrades after a battle in East Prussia.

Soviet soldiers are learning to overcome barbed wire.

Soviet officers inspecting one of the forts in the occupied Konigsberg.

Machine gun crew MG-42 is firing in the area of ​​the railway station in the city of Goldap in battles with Soviet troops.

Ships in the frozen harbor of Pillau (now Baltiysk, Kaliningrad region of Russia), late January 1945.

Konigsberg, Tragheim district after the assault, damaged building.

German grenadiers move towards the last Soviet positions in the area of ​​the Goldap railway station.

Koenigsberg. Kronprinz barracks, tower.

Konigsberg, one of the fortifications between fortifications.

The Hans Albrecht Wedel air support ship receives refugees in Pillau harbor.

Leading German troops enter the city of Goldap in East Prussia, which was previously occupied by Soviet troops.

Konigsberg, panorama of the city ruins.

The corpse of a German woman killed in an explosion at Metgethen in East Prussia.

Belonging to the 5th tank division tank Pz.Kpfw. V Ausf. G "Panther" on the street of the city of Goldap.

German soldier hanged on the outskirts of Königsberg for looting. The inscription in German "Plündern wird mit-dem Tode bestraft!" translates as "Who will rob - will be executed!"

A Soviet soldier in a German Sdkfz 250 armored personnel carrier on a street in Konigsberg.

Units of the German 5th Panzer Division are moving forward for a counterattack against the Soviet troops. District of Cattenau, East Prussia. Ahead is the Pz.Kpfw. V "Panther".

Königsberg, a barricade on the street.

A battery of 88mm anti-aircraft guns prepares to repel a Soviet tank attack. East Prussia, mid-February 1945.

German positions on the outskirts of Konigsberg. The caption reads: "We will defend Koenigsberg." Propaganda photo.

Soviet self-propelled guns ISU-122S is fighting in Konigsberg. 3rd Belorussian Front, April 1945.

German sentry on the bridge in the center of Konigsberg.

A Soviet motorcyclist drives past German StuG IV self-propelled guns and 105-mm howitzers abandoned on the road.

A German landing craft evacuating troops from the Heiligenbeil boiler enters Pillau harbor.

Konigsberg blown up by the pillbox.

Destroyed German self-propelled gun StuG III Ausf. G in the background of the Kronprinz tower, Königsberg.

Konigsberg, panorama from the Don tower.

Kenisberg, April 1945. View of the Royal Castle

German assault gun StuG III knocked out in Konigsberg. In the foreground, the slain German soldier.

German vehicles on the Mitteltragheim street in Konigsberg after the assault. StuG III assault guns on the right and left, JgdPz IV tank destroyer in the background.

Grolman Upper Front, Grolman Bastion. Before the surrender of the fortress, it housed the headquarters of the 367th Infantry Division of the Wehrmacht.

On the street of the port of Pillau. The evacuated German soldiers abandon their weapons and equipment before being loaded onto ships.

The German 88 mm FlaK 36/37 anti-aircraft gun abandoned on the outskirts of Konigsberg.

Konigsberg, panorama. Don Tower, Rossgarten Gate.

Königsberg, German bunker in the Horst Wessel Park area.

An unfinished barricade on the Duke Albrecht Alley in Königsberg (now Thalmann Street).

Königsberg, destroyed by a German artillery battery.

German prisoners of war at the Zakheim gate of Konigsberg.

Königsberg, German trenches.

German machine-gun crew in position in Konigsberg near the Don tower.

German refugees on Pillau Street walk past a column of Soviet self-propelled guns SU-76M.

Konigsberg, Friedrichsburg Gate after the assault.

Konigsberg, Wrangel tower, moat.

View from the Don tower to Oberteich (Upper Pond), Konigsberg.

On Königsberg street after the assault.

Konigsberg, Wrangel tower after surrender.

Corporal I.A. Gureev at the post at the border mark in East Prussia.

Soviet unit in a street fight in Konigsberg.

Regulator sergeant Anya Karavaeva on the way to Konigsberg.

Soviet soldiers in the town of Allenstein (now the town of Olsztyn in Poland) in East Prussia.

Artillerymen of the Guard Lieutenant Sofronov are fighting on the Avaider Alley in Konigsberg (now the Alley of the Courageous).

The result of an air strike on German positions in East Prussia.

Soviet soldiers are fighting a street fight on the outskirts of Konigsberg. 3rd Belorussian Front.

Soviet armored boat No. 214 in the Konigsberg Canal after a battle with a German tank.

Deutsch collection point faulty captured armored vehicles in the Königsberg area.

Evacuation of the remnants of the "Great Germany" division to the Pillau area.

German equipment abandoned in Konigsberg. In the foreground is the sFH 18 150 mm howitzer.

Koenigsberg. Bridge over the moat to the Rossgarten gate. Don tower in the background

An abandoned German 105mm le.F.H.18 / 40 howitzer in position in Königsberg.

A German soldier lights a cigarette at the StuG IV self-propelled gun.

A destroyed German Pz.Kpfw tank is on fire. V Ausf. G "Panther". 3rd Belorussian Front.

Soldiers of the "Great Germany" division are loaded onto makeshift rafts to cross the Frisches Huff Bay (now the Kaliningrad Bay). Balga Peninsula, Cape Kalholz.

Soldiers of the "Great Germany" division in positions on the Balga Peninsula.

Meeting of Soviet fighters on the border with East Prussia. 3rd Belorussian Front.

The bow of a German transport sinking as a result of an attack by Baltic Fleet aircraft off the coast of East Prussia.

Observer pilot of the Henschel Hs.126 reconnaissance aircraft takes pictures of the terrain during a training flight.

Damaged German assault gun StuG IV. East Prussia, February 1945.

Seeing off Soviet soldiers from Konigsberg.

The Germans inspect the damaged Soviet tank T-34-85 in the village of Nemmersdorf.

Tank "Panther" from the 5th Panzer Division of the Wehrmacht in Goldap.

German soldiers armed with Panzerfaust grenade launchers next to the MG 151/20 aircraft cannon in the infantry version.

A column of German tanks "Panther" is moving towards the front in East Prussia.

Broken cars on the street of Konigsberg, taken by storm. Soviet soldiers in the background.

Troops of the Soviet 10th Tank Corps and the bodies of German soldiers on Mühlhausen Street.

Soviet sappers are walking along the street of the burning Insterburg in East Prussia.

Column of Soviet tanks IS-2 on the road in East Prussia. 1st Belorussian Front.

A Soviet officer examines the German self-propelled gun "Jagdpanther" shot down in East Prussia.

Soviet soldiers are sleeping, resting after fighting, right on the street of Konigsberg, taken by storm.

Konigsberg, anti-tank obstacles.

German refugees with a baby in Königsberg.

A short meeting in the 8th company after reaching the state border of the USSR.

A group of pilots of the Normandie-Niemen air regiment at the Yak-3 fighter in East Prussia.

A sixteen-year-old Volkssturm soldier armed with an MP 40 submachine gun. East Prussia.

Construction of defensive structures, East Prussia, mid-July 1944.

Refugees from Königsberg move towards Pillau, mid-February 1945.

German soldiers at a halt near Pillau.

German quadruple anti-aircraft gun FlaK 38, mounted on a tractor. Fishhausen (now Primorsk), East Prussia.

Civilians and a captured German soldier on Pillau Street during the garbage collection after the end of the fighting for the city.

Boats of the Red Banner Baltic Fleet being repaired in Pillau (currently the city of Baltiysk in the Kaliningrad region of Russia).

German auxiliary vessel "Franken" after attack by Il-2 attack aircraft of the Red Banner Baltic Fleet Air Force.

Explosion of bombs on the German ship "Franken" as a result of an attack by Il-2 attack aircraft of the Red Banner Baltic Fleet Air Force

A break from a heavy shell in the wall of the Oberteich bastion of the fortifications of the Grolman upper front of Konigsberg.

The bodies of two German women and three children, allegedly killed Soviet soldiers in the town of Metgeten in East Prussia in January-February 1945. Propaganda German photo.

Transportation of the Soviet 280-mm mortar Br-5 in East Prussia.

Distribution of food to Soviet soldiers in Pillau after the end of the fighting for the city.

Soviet soldiers pass through a German settlement on the outskirts of Konigsberg.

Broken German assault gun StuG IV on the streets of Allenstein (now Olsztyn, Poland.)

Soviet infantry, supported by ACS SU-76, attacked German positions in the Königsberg area.

ACS SU-85 column on the march in East Prussia.

Signpost "Freeway to Berlin" on one of the roads of East Prussia.

The explosion on the tanker "Sassnitz". The tanker with a cargo of fuel was sunk on March 26, 1945, 30 miles from Liepaja, by aircraft of the 51st mine-torpedo aviation regiment and the 11th assault aviation division of the Baltic Fleet Air Force.

The bombing of German transports and Pillau port facilities by KBF airplanes.

The German ship-floating base of the hydroaviation "Boelcke", attacked by the Il-2 squadron of the 7th Guards Attack Aviation Regiment of the Baltic Fleet Air Force, 7.5 km southeast of Cape Hel.

Koenigsberg, now everyone famous city Kaliningrad is an enclave washed by the cold and noisy Baltic Sea.

The history of the city is majestic and multifaceted, has more than 700 years - seven centuries of rapid growth, rapid seizures and frequent changes of heads of government.

The westernmost city of Russia is shrouded in ancient legends and surrounded by interesting historical sights.

Basic information

Story

It was founded on September 1, 1255. The beginning of the modern city was the castle, erected on the site of the Prussian settlement of Twangste in the lower reaches of the Pregel River. The founders are considered the Grand Master of the Teutonic Order Poppo von Ostern and the King of Bohemia Přemysl Otakar II.

Twangste was besieged by the knights, but after the arrival of help from the king of Bohemia, the settlement fell. The first building was made of wood, and in 1257 the construction of brick walls began.

The castle was named Konigsberg, he was sieged by the Prussian tribes three times (in 1260, 1263 and 1273), but he survived. In subsequent years, German colonists began to arrive to develop the Prussian lands. The indigenous people were assimilated and to XVI century only 20% of the total population remained.

On February 28, 1286, the city rights were assigned to the settlement near the castle walls, bearing the same name. Other settlements grew rapidly around. In 1300, another city began to be called - Löbenicht, it was here that the first printing house was opened in 1523, and in 1524 the first book was printed.

From an administrative point of view, both cities were independent, but in fact they formed a single whole... The united cities were named Konigsberg, and the first and oldest part of it was renamed Altstadt ("old town").

The third, which received official status, was the Kneiphof settlement and it also formed part of Konigsberg.

In 1466, as a result of the Thirteen Years War, the capital of the Teutonic Order was moved from Marienburg to Konigsberg.

In 1525, the theocratic state became known as the Prussian Duchy, and the Grand Master Albrecht proclaimed himself Duke. Since the 16th century, the city has become a cultural center, where important figures lived and the first books in the Lithuanian language were published.

In 1660, the publication of its own newspaper began, copies of it were regularly sent to Russia to compile reviews intended for the Boyar Duma and Tsar Alexei Mikhailovich.

Territorially unified, but consisting of administratively independent districts, the city existed until 1724, then the official unification of the three cities, the surrounding suburbs, villages and the castle took place. The name remains the same - Konigsberg.

During the Seven Years War, the city was captured by Russia and from 1758 to 1762 was part of it. In 1762 returned to Prussia under the terms of a prisoner with her Russian emperor Peter III of the Petersburg Peace Treaty.

In the 19th century, Konigsberg grew rapidly and modernized, countless ravelins, bastions and defensive ramparts were built (many of the buildings have survived to this day).

In 1857, in Königsberg appeared Railway , and in 1862 a railway connection with Russia was laid. In May 1881 appeared the new kind transport - horse tram (horse - railway city road), and exactly 14 years later (in 1895) - the first trams. In 1901, the electrification of public transport began.

In 1919, the first in Germany and one of the first in the world airport, Devau, was built and put into operation. Regular flights Konigsberg - Riga - Moscow were organized in 1922. In the XX century, the city expanded significantly, the following were built:

• train stations;
• residential buildings;
• commercial buildings.

The greatest contributions to the architecture of the city were made by Hans Hopp and Friedrich Heitmann. A large place was given to monuments and sculptures, they were created by both graduates and teachers of the Konigsberg Academy of Arts. At the same time, research and reconstruction were carried out in the old castle.

In August 1944, during the bombing from the British side, the city was badly destroyed and the entire old center of Königsberg was destroyed.

In the same year, it was taken by storm by Soviet soldiers.

Assault and capture in 1945

The siege of the city began in December 1944, and assault troops were sent on April 5, 1945. On April 10, over the Der Don tower ( modern museum amber) a flag was raised to mark the end of German rule. During fierce fighting, both sides suffered 50 thousand casualties.

We offer you to watch a video about the assault on Konigsberg.

Who was given a medal for taking?

On June 9, 1945, the Presidium of the USSR Armed Forces ordered to institute a medal for the capture of the city - the fortress of Konigsberg.

This the medal was awarded to the military personnel of the army, navy and troops of the NKVD, who took a personal part in the battle for the city, as well as organizers and leaders of hostilities in the period from January 23 to April 10, 1945.

This medal is the only one established in the USSR for the capture of the fortress, all the rest were for the liberation and capture of capitals.

Legend of underground Kaliningrad

The essence of the legend is that located under the city underground city- understudy built during German rule... It has power plants, numerous warehouses for food and household goods, tank and aircraft factories.

Also, the underground city is a repository for many valuables, including the Amber Room. There are two versions of the ending of the legend:

1. During the storming of the city by Soviet soldiers, the Germans brought down and partially flooded several passages.
2. After the war, an expedition was sent to the dungeon, but it could not fully explore all the moves. It was decided to brick up the unexplored tunnels.

Some residents claim that all systems in the lower city are working properly and sometimes someone turns them on for checking, then a rumble is heard from the basements and a glow appears.

According to some versions, people still live underground.

The legend originated in the 1950s, and numerous artistic and documentary works of those times provoked its appearance.

Where is located on the map?

The city is located on the shores of the Baltic Sea... On the south side it borders with Poland, and on the east and north - with Lithuania. It has no land borders with Russia.

What does this name mean in German?

• The center of the city was the castle, which was named "Royal Mountain" (translated from German Königsberg), in honor of the King of the Czech Republic Přemysl Otakar II, who was one of the founders.
• According to another version, the word "Konigsberg" has a Gothic origin: kuniggs is the head of the clan, and berg is the shore.

Which country does it belong to?

In 1945, the Potsdam Conference was held, by its decision, the German province, along with its capital, was annexed to The Soviet Union... After the death of the Chairman of the Supreme Council M.I. Kalinin On July 4, 1946, the city received a new name - Kaliningrad, and its region became Kaliningrad.

Coat of arms

The modern coat of arms was approved on July 17, 1996 and revised on April 28, 1999. The authors of the project are Ernest Grigo and Sergey Kolevatov. The old coat of arms of Konigsberg was taken as a basis.

A silver ship with one sail and a silver two-pointed pennant with the St.Andrew's Cross is depicted on a blue background. The mast goes down in three green leaves. There are 12 golden bezants under the ship, laid in the form of a wave.

In the center of the mast there is a shield crossed with silver and scarlet, in the upper part there is a crown, in the lower part there is an equal-pointed Greek cross (both figures of variable colors). Around the shield is the ribbon of the medal for the capture of Konigsberg.

the Royal Castle

Story

Founded in 1255 on the former Prussian territory. Initially, the building was defensive in nature and was built of wood, later it was fortified with stone walls. In the early period, the Gothic style prevailed in the appearance of the castle, but over time the purpose of the building itself changed and its architectural appearance changed.

With the coming to power of Duke Albrecht in 1525 the castle turned into a secular palace... Coronations and receptions were held in its halls. In the 18th century in the basement of the northern wing there was a wine restaurant "Blütgericht", translated as "Blood Court". Previously, there was a prison in the premises of the restaurant, and there was a trial over it.

At the beginning of the 20th century, the castle served as a museum; rare collections were located within its walls:

1. books;
2. pictures;
3. weapons.

The castle was captured by the Germans during World War II, it held meetings and kept values ​​from plundered countries. One of these booty was the famous Amber Room, transported by the Germans from Pushkin. Its current location is not known.

The castle was badly damaged during the war, but the final "collapse" occurred in 1968 - by order of the Soviet authorities, the building was blown up, and the remaining stones were used for new buildings. Several attempts have been made to begin the restoration of the castle. Excavations on its territory are periodically resumed, the last being dated 2016.

Where can you find the ruins?

The ruins of the castle are located at: st. Shevchenko 2, public transport stop "Hotel Kaliningrad". Landmark - House of Soviets, built on the territory of the former castle. The visit is paid and is possible on any day from 10 to 18.

What other attractions are there?

• Fishing village... Ethnographic, craft and trade complex on the banks of the Pregel River, stylized as old Prussia. It was built in 2006.
• Kant island(Kneiphof). Located in the middle of the Pregel River, in the XIV century there was a whole city with its own coat of arms. In 1944 there were 28 streets, 304 houses on the island, public transport ran, during the bombing in August of the same year the city was completely destroyed. Now the only building is the Cathedral, surrounded by alleys and sculptures.
• Museum of the World Ocean... Opened in 1990 with the aim of preserving and popularizing Russia's maritime heritage. On the territory of the museum, the history of shipbuilding and exhibitions devoted to marine flora and fauna, as well as the study of the seabed are presented.
• Holy Cross Cathedral... Located on Oktyabrsky Island. Until 1945, there was a Lutheran - Evangelical shrine named after the Church of the Cross. Currently it is an Orthodox church. The central element in the external decoration is a Protestant mosaic cross on the facade, framed by an ornament with lilies and wind roses. The interior of the church is already decorated in accordance with Orthodox traditions.

Forts

Starting from the 19th century, instead of a continuous wall, a network of forts was built around the city (earthen fortifications with stone buildings that could accommodate 300 soldiers and a supply of ammunition). The area between them was shot through with artillery, and at a later time with machine guns.

The defensive ring around Konigsberg consisted of 12 large and 5 small forts and was called the "night featherbed".

This defense system was tested in April 1945 when it came under fire from the Soviet Army.

Most of the forts were destroyed, and the few that remained until recently were abandoned. Monuments of fortification art are gradually being restored. There are two forts available in excursion mode:

• # 5 King Frederick William III;
• No. 11 Dönhoff.

Below is a video about the forts of Kenegsberg.

Photo

In the photo below you can see the main historical sights of the city:

When and how did the deportation of the Germans take place?

In 1946, Stalin signed a decree on voluntary resettlement to Kaliningrad 12 thousand Russian families from 27 different regions. From 1945 to 1948, several dozen Germans lived side by side with Russians in the city, worked German schools, churches and social organizations.

But this neighborhood cannot be called peaceful - the Germans were regularly subjected to violence and looting by the Soviet population. The government tried in every possible way to destroy the hostility between the peoples:

1. a newspaper was published;
2. training was conducted in German;
3. working Germans were given food cards.

Due to the impossibility of peaceful coexistence and an increase in the incidence of violence, in 1947 it was decided to forcibly deport the German population.

In the period from 1947 to 1948, about 100 thousand German citizens and Prussian Lithuanians were resettled.

The deportation took place peacefully and in an orderly manner, the former residents of East Prussia were allowed to carry any amount of cargo with them, dry rations were also issued and conscientious assistance was provided during the movement.

Receipts of no claims against the Soviet Government were taken from all those who were leaving.... Some of the German specialists were left to recover Agriculture and production, but they also did not receive citizenship and eventually left the country.

The history of Konigsberg as a Russian city of Kaliningrad is just beginning. Its cultural identity has undergone significant changes over the past 15 years:

• new museums have appeared;
• the forts were restored;
• the first Orthodox church was built.

For a long time, the architectural heritage of the Prussian lands fell into decay, but modern society undertook to restore them.

I recommend taking excursions to those who are here for the first time. You will be shown the most interesting places, you will learn the history and legends, and all this information will not have to be searched for long and tediously on the Internet. Just select the excursion to your taste and be sure to see the reviews and ratings of the guide! This is the most convenient way to explore the city.

I found on my computer an old file with the chronology of the history of Koenigsberg-Kaliningrad, which was about 10 years ago. Corrected a few things, but there are still many gaps. So I would be grateful for any clarifications and additions.
Then I'll add hyperlinks to make it clear what this is about.

1255 - foundation of Königsberg castle

1256 - Steindamm Pickaxe founded, Castle Pond appeared

1263-68 - the old Altstadt church was built

1270 - a dam was built on the Katzbach brook (Cat Brook) on the site of the future Wrangelstrasse (Chernyakhovsky) street. So in Konigsberg, after the Castle Pond (1256), a second pond appeared - the Upper

1278-1292 - built the northern stone wing of the fortress

1286 - Altstadt received city rights from the order

1288 - Juditten Church, the oldest building in Kaliningrad, was built

1297-1302 - construction in the Konigsberg Altstadt of the first building of the Cathedral with dedication to St. Adalbert (soon after construction it was dismantled)

1300 - Lebenicht received city rights

1300 - Kremerbrücke (Lavochny Bridge) was built, the first bridge in Königsberg (according to other sources - in 1286)

1748-1753 - Haberberg Church built

1753 - a pedestrian bridge was built on the Castle Pond by the royal order

1756 - a synagogue was erected in Vorstadt, rebuilt in 1815

1757 - the building of the Altstadt Town Hall was rebuilt for the last time (in the Renaissance style)

1758-1762 - Konigsberg as part of Russia

1764 - Löbenicht was destroyed by fire

1767-77 - Catholic Church built

1769 - the new town hall of Löbenicht was built

1776 - The new Lebenikht church was consecrated

1782 - the city has 31 368 inhabitants

1784 - New Tragheim Church consecrated

1798 - a new exchange building was built on the same site (Kneiphof), after 2 years it burned down

1799 - opening of a brewery in the castle, later called "Blütgericht" (according to other sources - in 1737);

1800 - city population 55 thousand

1800-1801 - the exchange was overhauled after a fire

1803 - created by Altstädtischer Kirchplatz (from 1897 - Kaiser-Wilhelm-Platz)

1804 - Kant died

1806-1808 - the city theater was built on Paradenplatz

1807 - A square, later known as Gesekus, appeared on the map of the city. It was named so in 1882 in honor of the Commissioner of Justice Gesekus Johan Heinrich, who left the city by his will 74 thousand thalers

1807 - Konigsberg is taken by Napoleon

1808 - city reform. All the most important city affairs were transferred to the hands of elected bodies. Created city ​​council and the magistrate.

1810 - monument to Albrecht of Brandenburg

1810 - The building of the Supreme Land Court was built on the foundations of the demolished north-eastern wing according to the project of engineer Simon.

1811 - “street reform” took place in Königsberg. Street names and house numbering have been streamlined and officially recognized

1811 - Bessel Observatory established

1812 - Napoleon's troops left the city

1815 - New synagogue in Vorstadt opened

1826 - the old Altstadt church was demolished

1830 - the first water supply system appeared in Königsberg

1833 - The cathedral was first restored

1838-1845 - the new Altstadt church was built

1840 - 70.6 thousand inhabitants

1843 - the oldest known photograph of the city is taken

1843 - King's Gate laid

1843-49 - the "Kronprinz" barracks was built

1844 - the Academy of Arts founded

1847-1949 - the building of the Central Post Office was built

1851 - Monument to King Frederick Wilhelm III on Paradeplatz was opened (August Kiss, Rudolf von Printz)

1851 - the "Grolman" bastion was built

1852-1855 - Rossgarten Gate built

1853 - built:
1) the building of the East Station
2) Don tower

1855-59 - the brick building of the Realny School (later Realgymnasium) was built on Münchenhofplatz

1855-1860 - built the Zakheim Gate

1858-1859 - the New University was built (architect A. Shtuhler)

1864-1874 - the castle observation tower was rebuilt in the Gothic style.

1864 (?) - The gate with the tower at Grünebrücke was demolished

1864 - the new building of the University was opened on the Parade Square

1865 - a monument to Kant was opened at the new building of the University

1865 - the first train went on the Königsberg - Pillau line

1865 - the Albertinum and part of the Old College were demolished and the Kneiphof Gymnasium was built in their place

1866 - The brick Gothic Ausphalian gate was built on the site of the gate from 1626 (preserved)

1872-1881 - the building of the Royal Government of East Prussia was built in Tragheim

1875 - the construction of the new building of the Neo-Renaissance trade exchange was completed, which was moved from Knaphof to the other bank of the Pregel

1879-1882 - the Honey Bridge was rebuilt, which was made a drawbridge

1880 - Steindamm Church transferred to the German community due to a sharp decrease in the number of Polish-speaking parishioners

1881 - the first tram line was opened

1883 - High bridge built

1885 - the monument to Kant was moved to Paradeplatz

1886 - Köttelbrücke (Gutt Bridge) rebuilt in stone and metal

1888 - 140,909 inhabitants

1888-89 - the building of the commandant's office of the Königsberg garrison was built (preserved)

1891, May 19 - the monument to Duke Albrecht, created by the sculptor Roisch, was unveiled at the Oat Tower of the Castle

1892 - the Walter-Simon-Platz stadium was built (now the "Baltika" stadium)

1892 - Friedrichs Collegium built

1893 - Kant's house demolished

1894 - a monument to Kaiser Wilhelm was erected by the sculptor Professor Roisch

1894 - a house for swans was built on the Castle Pond

1894-1896 - the University sports complex was erected - Palestra Albertina (architect F. Heitmann)

1894-1896 - Lomza synagogue was built

1895 - the first electric tram was launched in Königsberg

1895 - the building of the Realgymnasium is expanded (a gymnasium is added)

1896 - Königsberg Zoo opened

1897 - A 4-storey gymnasium building was added to the Kneiphof gymnasium on the right, while the Bishop's courtyard was demolished in 1542.

1900 - Kremerbrücke (Bench Bridge) rebuilt in stone and metal

1900 - Gebr department store is built on the west side of Kaiser-Wilhelm-Platz. Barrasch

1900 - there are 189,483 inhabitants in Königsberg. The whole city was located within the defensive ring

1901 - a monument to Bismarck was opened

1901 - Royal University Library built in Mitteltragheim

1901-1907 - the restoration of the Cathedral was carried out, the building was freed from plaster, the western (main) facade was returned to the features of the XIV century, which had already been noticeably changed by that time by various reconstructions.

1902 - the building of the General Post Office was expanded and a telegraph building was built in the neo-Gothic style (on the north side of Gezekus Square)

1903-1904 - Holzbrücke (Wood Bridge) rebuilt in stone

1905 - the Imperial Bridge was built

1905 - the systematic annexation of the suburbs and the nearest settlements... As a result, its area has increased from 20 sq. km in 1900 to 192 sq. km in 1939 The population increased to 372164 people.

1906 - a beautiful promenade, gardens and lighting in the form of tracery gas lanterns were erected at the Castle Pond

1906 - Rosenau is included in Konigsberg

1907 - Grünbrücke (Green Bridge) rebuilt in stone and metal

1907 - the Church of the Sagrada Familia was built

1907-1910 - built by Kirch Luther

1908 - The Archer (Fritz Heinemann) sculpture was installed at the Castle Pond

1910 - 1) the Traghayim Gate was demolished; 2) sculptor Stanislaus Kauer completed work on the monument to Friedrich Schiller

1910 or 1911 - in Altstadt, the last medieval residential building on ul. Höckergasse

1911-1913 - built by the Church of the Duke Albrecht in Maraunenhof

1911-1914 - The new Realgymnasium building was built in Löbenicht

1912 - built:
1) Queen Louise theater designed by the architect Walter Kukkuk
2) Stadthalle (city concert hall) on the banks of the Lower Pond
3) the building of the Police Department (now the FSB)

1912 - the sculpture "Fighting Bison" was installed at the Land Court and the Path fountain on the Castle Square

1912 - the Steindamm gate is demolished

1913-1919 - the building of the Academy of Arts was built

1915 (?) - the Gothic pediment of the southern facade of the Castle was converted into a baroque one

1916 - new building of the Academy of Arts

1918 - the building of the postal directorate (now the headquarters of the Baltic Fleet) was built on Ganzaring

1919 - the airport in Devau is opened

1920 - the first German Oriental Fair opens in Königsberg, which is located on the territory of the zoo

1923 - the building of the Trade Yard (since 1927 it has housed the City Hall) (architect Hans Gopp)

1924 - Königsberg Castle declared a museum

1924 - the Hall of Fame of the Prussia Museum is located in the Moscow Hall

1924 - New decoration of Kant's grave (architect Lars)

1924 - a sculpture by Friedrich Roysch "German Michel" (donated to the city in 1904) was installed at the Wrangel tower

1925 - the House of Technology was built (manufactured goods market)

1925 - the 8-storey Kive trading house was built in the Altstadt market. Then Max Wilfang and Company became the owners, which gave rise to the abbreviated form "Wilco".

1925, November 15 - the first Königsberg bus route opened (closed already on December 7, 1927)

1926 - The stables / cavalry barracks, located on the site of the old castle, are demolished. Soon on this site will be built the building of the Reichsbank, and now there is the House of Soviets

1926 - the park in the courtyard of the Castle was destroyed

1927 - the city magistrate was housed in the building of the Trade Yard

1928 - built Financial management the province of East Prussia, now the building of the regional administration

1928 - the Parkhotel was built (architect Hans Hopp)

1928 - Polska Street was renamed "Steinhaupt Strabe" - in honor of Georg Steinhaupt, who died of plague in 1465

1928 - restoration work is carried out in the castle, on the site of the cuirassier barracks, a building for the Reichsbank was built in the new classical style

1929 - opening of the main train station in Königsberg

1930 - the construction of the building of the North Station was completed (architect M. Stallman)

1930 - built a vocational school for girls (House of Officers)

1930 - the construction of the building was completed, which housed the Konigsberg State Archives (architect R. Libenthal)

1930-33 - built by Kreuzkirch

1933-34 - the building of the Konigsberg radio (a branch of the Shirshov Institute)

1935 - the monument to Duke Albrecht was moved from the Oat Tower to the northwest tower of the Castle

1938 - the synagogue was burned down

1942 - the Amber Room, taken from the city of Pushkin, is assembled in the castle

1943-1945 - Konigsberg trolleybus

April 7, 1946 - The Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR adopted a decree on the formation of the Konigsberg region as part of the RSFSR

August 1, 1946 - according to the order of the city administration for civil affairs, Steindamm street received a new name - "Zhitomirskaya". By the same order, several small streets leading in the direction of the main railway station - Kneipchefische and Forntledtische Langasse, Kantstrasse, Posenerstrasse - were united into a single street called “st. Mayakovsky "(now Leninsky Prospect)

1947, June - the population of Kaliningrad was 211,000 people, including 37,000 Germans

1947 - the pedagogical institute was founded, the first higher educational institution of the region

1948 - the deportation of the German population ended

August 3, 1950 - the executive committee of the Kaliningrad City Council adopted decision No. 407 "On the protection of the bronze monument that stood on the University Square of the Leningradsky District" (after which the monument disappeared without a trace)

1953 - approved General plan city ​​development

1953 - a monument to Stalin was erected on pl. Victory

1956 - Lars's book "Königsberg Castle" was published

1957 (?) - Altstadt church was demolished

1958, November - the monument to Stalin was moved from the square. Victory in the square on Teatralnaya street, instead of a monument to Lenin

1960 - The cathedral received the status of a cultural monument of republican significance, but no measures were taken to preserve the building

1961, August 14 - Lebenikht Catholic Church was excluded from the list of "monuments of architecture of national importance."

1962 - the monument to Stalin was dismantled

1963 - Leninsky Prospect appeared on the map as a result of the merger of Zhitomirskaya and Mayakovsky streets

1963-64 - the remains of the central telegraph building are demolished

1967 - the building of the Stock Exchange was restored as the House of Culture of Seamen, the Kaliningrad State was created. un-t

1968, September - the city authorities turned to the command of the higher engineering school with a request “to perform drilling and blasting operations to destroy the remains of the Castle and large-sized blocks”.

1970 - the final destruction of the Lebenikht Catholic Church

1970 - Kirch of Duke Albrecht's memory is blown up in Maraunenhof

1972, November 5 - the flyover bridge across the island was opened. Kneiphof (Kant Island), while Kremerbrücke (Lavochny Bridge) and Grünbrücke (Green Bridge) were demolished

1972 - the restoration of the former Exchange is completed (as a recreation center of seamen)

1973 - the former German town hall on the square. Victory became the House of Soviets (city executive committee, now the mayor's office)

1974 - the southern part of the basement of the Castle is hidden by cladding with gray tuff, the hotel "Kaliningrad" was built

1974 - the sculpture "Mother Russia" was placed on the pedestal of the former monument to Stalin

1975 - the Kaliningrad trolleybus was launched

However, after Stalingrad and Kursk, the Germans began to guess that soon the rear status of East Prussia could be replaced by the frontline one, and began to prepare it for defense by building fortifications. As the front approached the borders of the region, these works became more and more intensive. East Prussia was turned into a huge fortified area with a defense depth of 150-200 km. Koenigsberg was located behind many strips of fortifications (from three to nine in different directions).

The first battles on German soil

Soviet troops, represented by the 3rd Byelorussian and 1st Baltic fronts, reached the borders of East Prussia in September 1944 as a result of the triumphal operation Bagration (by far the best strategic operation Soviet army for the entire Great Patriotic War) and the Baltic offensive operation (also quite successful). The Germans were going to defend East Prussia to the last opportunity, not only and not so much for military reasons as for political and psychological reasons - this region meant too much for them in historically... Nevertheless, the Soviet command planned to capture East Prussia even before the end of 1944.

The first offensive against East Prussia began on October 16, 1944. Two days later, the troops of the 3rd Belorussian Front entered the territory of this region for the first time, i.e. to the territory of Germany, which they have been striving for since June 41st.

However, the operation from the first moment turned into a frontal "gnawing" of a very powerful German defense. Therefore, on October 27, the offensive was terminated. It cannot be called unsuccessful - the troops advanced 50-100 km deep into East Prussia. However, its complete capture was out of the question, and Soviet losses were twice as large as those of the enemy (80 thousand versus 40 thousand). But a bridgehead on enemy territory was created, and important experience was acquired.

On the second try

The second attempt was made already in 1945. For the East Prussian operation, the Soviet army concentrated 1.7 million people, 25.4 thousand guns, 3.8 thousand tanks and self-propelled guns, 3.1 thousand aircraft against about 800 thousand people, 8.2 thousand guns, 700 tanks and self-propelled guns, 800 aircraft in the German Army Group North (former Army Group Center).

The Soviet offensive by the forces of the 2nd and 3rd Belorussian and 1st Baltic fronts began on January 13 in two directions - through Gumbinnen to Konigsberg (from the bridgehead captured in October 1944) and from the Narew area to the Baltic coast.

Unlike the Vistula-Oder operation, which began at the same time and was developing triumphantly (already on January 31, the troops crossed the Oder, only 70 km remained to Berlin), the offensive in East Prussia proceeded extremely slowly and resembled in this sense offensive operations the first half of the war. The reason for this was the pre-prepared in-depth defense of the Germans and the fire of German ships. It was thanks to the fire of the ships (the "pocket battleships" "Luttsov" and "Admiral Scheer", the heavy cruiser "Prince Eugen", about 20 destroyers, destroyers and floating batteries) that the Germans regularly launched counterstrikes, which was practically unthinkable in other sectors of the front by that time ... In addition, the German fleet managed to transfer as many as eight divisions from the Kurland bridgehead to East Prussia, the Baltic Fleet and the Soviet Air Force could not prevent this.

By early February, despite fierce resistance, Soviet troops cut the German grouping into three parts. However, it was very far from the final victory. Thanks to the support of naval artillery, the largest of the German groups, the Hejlsberg (south of Königsberg), delivered a successful counterattack and rejoined the Königsberg group. During these battles on February 18, the commander of the 3rd Belorussian Front, General of the Army Ivan Chernyakhovsky (he was only 38 years old), died.

What was happening in East Prussia led to the fact that the 1st Belorussian Front under the command of Zhukov stopped the offensive on Berlin and turned to the north, starting, together with the 2nd Belorussian Front, an offensive into Eastern Pomerania.

Thus, the defense of Königsberg delayed the fall of Berlin, i.e. ending the war for at least two months.

At the same time, in Eastern Pomerania, Soviet troops faced the same problem - the crushing fire of German naval artillery, which made the ground offensive very difficult.

The German grouping in East Pomerania and the Hejlsberg grouping in East Prussia were liquidated only by the end of March. At the same time, Danzig fell, which led to the final isolation of German troops in East Prussia from the main forces of the Wehrmacht. In addition, the German fleet was forced to move its efforts westward, first to the Danzig Bay area, then to Eastern Pomerania. The departure of the German ships, with which the BF was never able to cope, facilitated the actions ground forces in East Prussia.

The capture of Koenigsberg

Objectively speaking, after that, the remnants of German troops in East Prussia did not pose any threat to the Soviet army, they could simply be ignored, throwing maximum forces on Berlin. However, it was not in our rules. Now the target is the capital of the region. The battle for Königsberg was ahead.

The defense of Königsberg consisted of three lines and included 12 large and 5 small forts, plus many other defensive structures. The city was defended by the 134-thousandth German garrison. The assault on Koenigsberg began on April 6. Before that, for four days in the capital of East Prussia, artillery and aviation training was conducted, in which 5 thousand guns and 1.5 thousand aircraft were involved. It was this that decided the outcome of the battle, especially since shelling and bombing of the city continued during the assault itself.

Even the powerful German fortification could not withstand such an amount of metal that fell on it. Koenigsberg fell very quickly - already on April 9, 92 thousand German servicemen surrendered, including the commander General Lasch.

After the capture of Koenigsberg, there was absolutely no need to fight in East Prussia, but the Soviet command did not think so. The last German grouping remained in the western part of East Prussia, on the Zemland peninsula. He was captured on April 25, then Pillau fell (note that at this time there were already battles in the center of Berlin!). The remnants of the German troops (22 thousand people) retreated to the Frische-Nerung spit, which now bears the name Baltic, where they surrendered on May 9.

Results of the East Prussian operation

Of all operations last year During the war, it was in the East Prussian that the Soviet troops suffered the greatest losses - almost 127 thousand people. killed, 3.5 thousand tanks, almost 1.5 thousand aircraft. The Germans lost at least 300 thousand people killed. To the Soviet losses directly in East Prussia, one must add significant additional losses during the storming of Berlin at the end of April (at the beginning of February it was quite possible to take it "on the move").

Thus, the "citadel of German militarism" cost us extremely dear, although the storming of Königsberg itself was carried out almost flawlessly.

The reasons for this are indicated above - the extreme saturation of East Prussia with defensive lines and the complete inability of the Baltic Fleet and the Soviet Air Force to neutralize the German ships (all of them were sunk by British aircraft in April-May 1945, but by that time they had already done their "dirty deed").

At the same time, it is not a fact that the East Prussian operation should have been carried out at all. In fact, the Stalingrad mistake was repeated here, when, finishing off the "boiler", a much larger German grouping was missed from the Caucasus. Moreover, there was no need to finish off - Paulus's army was doomed to perish from cold and hunger. Two years later, the German grouping in East Prussia was also doomed and had no opportunity to strike the flank and rear of the Soviet troops advancing on Berlin, it could simply be restrained by rather limited forces without any assaults. Then Berlin would inevitably have fallen in February, which would have ended the war. But alas.

After in the 13th century, at the request of the Polish prince Konrad Mazowiecki and with the blessing of the Pope, the crusaders, led by the Teutonic Order, completely destroyed the pagan Lithuanian tribe of Prussians (due to the fact that they did not want to accept Christianity), on the site of their settlement, Twangste became the Sudeten king Ottokar II founded the city of Konigsberg.

In 1410, after the defeat of the Teutonic Order by the Commonwealth, Konigsberg could become a Polish city. But then the Polish kings confined themselves to the fact that the order became their vassal. When the Rzecz Pospolita began to weaken, on the lands of the Teutonic Order arose first the Elector, then the Prussian Duchy.

At the beginning of the XVI century. Albrecht of the Hohenzollern dynasty, established in Brandenburg in 1415, was elected Grand Master of the Teutonic Order, which became after Thirteen Years War with Poland (1454–66) as its vassal (Prussia's fiefdom from Poland persisted until the 1860s).

The Duchy of Prussia united with Brandenburg in 1618, which created the nucleus of the future German Empire. In 1701, Elector Frederick III received the title of king from the emperor of the Holy Roman Empire (in exchange for a contingent of troops for the upcoming War of the Spanish Succession). The Brandenburg-Prussian state became a kingdom. After Berlin became its capital instead of Konigsberg, the whole of Germany began new story- imperial.

Under King Frederick II (ruled 1740-86), about 2/3 of the annual regular budget was spent on military needs; the Prussian army became the first in number in Western Europe. In Prussia, a militaristic police-bureaucratic regime (the so-called Prussianism) was consolidated. Any manifestation of free thought was ruthlessly suppressed. With a view to territorial expansion, Prussia waged numerous wars. During the War of Austrian Succession 1740-48, Prussia captured for the most part Silesia. In the Seven Years' War of 1756-63, Prussia intended to seize Saxony, which had not yet been captured by part of Pomorie, Courland, and to strengthen its influence on the small German states, respectively weakening Austria's influence on them, but suffered a major defeat from Russian troops at Gross-Jägersdorf (1757) and in Battle of Kunersdorf in 1759.

Konigsberg in 1758 became a Russian city for the first time. Even the issue of coins of the "Prussian province" was established. In 1760 Russian troops occupied Berlin, the capital of Prussia. Only disagreements between the main opponents of Prussia (Austria, Russia, France) and the accession to the Russian throne after the death of Elizabeth Petrovna (1761), Duke Peter III of Holsteinottorp, saved Prussia from disaster. Peter III concluded peace and an alliance with Frederick II, and in 1762 withdrew Russian troops from East Prussia, and returned the city to Frederick. As a result, for many years Prussia remained an ally of the Russian tsars, as well as a trade and technological bridge between Russia and Europe.

PROVINCE OF RUSSIA

The Seven Years' War began in 1756 with several battles by the armies of Austria and France against the Prussian troops. The Russian army under the command of Field Marshal Apraksin launched a campaign against Prussia in the spring of 1757 from Riga in two directions: through Memel and Kovno. She entered the territory of Prussia, moved beyond Insterburg (Chernyakhovsk). Near the village of Gross-Jegersdorf (now defunct, Chernyakhovsky district) on August 30 in a fierce battle Russian army defeated the Prussian troops under the command of Field Marshal Lewald. The way to Konigsberg was open!

However, the troops unexpectedly turned back and left Prussia through Tilsit. Only the city of Memel remained in the hands of the Russians. The reason for the retreat of the Russian army is still a topic of controversy. But it is believed that the true reasons were the lack of food and the loss of people. That summer, the Russian troops faced two opponents: the Prussian army and the weather.

In the second campaign against Prussia in the fall of 1757, General-in-Chief Willim Willimovich Fermor (1702-1771) became the head of the army. The task was the same - at the first opportunity to occupy Prussia. At three o'clock in the morning on January 22, 1758, the Russian infantry set out from Kaymen and by eleven o'clock occupied the forstadts of Konigsberg, which actually ended up in the hands of the Russians. By four o'clock in the afternoon, Fermor, at the head of the detachment, entered the city. The route of his movement was as follows: from the side of the present Polessk to the city center, Frunze Street leads (formerly Konigstrasse, and during the events described - Breitstrasse, in Russian documents of that time this street was literally translated as "Broad Street"). Along it, Fermor and his retinue, following through the crowd of curious spectators, entered the castle. There he was met by representatives of the Prussian authorities, led by Lesving, and presented with the "keys to the city" (more likely, of course, a symbol marking a historical event).

By the way, in Konigsberg, when the Russian troops entered it, there were eighteen churches, of which 14 were Lutheran, 3 were Calvinist and one was Roman Catholic. There were no Orthodox Christians, which was a problem for the emerging Russian residents. We found a way out. Russian clergy opted for a building later known as the Steindamm Church. It was one of the oldest churches in Koenigsberg, dating back to 1256. Since 1526, Polish and Lithuanian parishioners have used it. And on September 15, 1760, the consecration of the church took place.

It should be noted that the victors behaved peacefully in Prussia. They provided the residents with freedom of belief and trade and opened up access to Russian service. The two-headed eagles have replaced the Prussian ones everywhere. An Orthodox monastery was built in Konigsberg. They began to mint a coin with the image of Elizabeth and the signature: Elisabeth rex Prussiae. The Russians intended to establish themselves firmly in East Prussia.

But in Russia there is a change of power. Empress Elizaveta Petrovna dies and Peter III ascends to the Russian throne, as you know, an ardent supporter of Frederick II. In a treatise dated May 5, 1762, Peter III unconditionally gave Frederick II all the territories previously occupied by the Russians. On July 5, the Konigsberg city newspaper was already published, crowned with the Prussian coat of arms. The transfer of power in the provinces began. On July 9, a coup takes place in Russia and Catherine II ascends to the royal throne, but still Russian rule ended in Prussia. Already on August 5, 1762, the last Russian governor of Prussia Voeikov F.M. (1703-1778) received an order to finally proceed with the transfer of the province, henceforth not to interfere in the internal affairs of Prussia, to allow the Prussian garrisons to occupy the fortresses.

September 3, 1762 - the beginning of the withdrawal of Russian troops from Prussia. And on February 15, 1763, the Seven Years' War ended with the signing of the Hubertusburg Peace. Frederick II died of a cold on August 17, 1786 in Potsdam, leaving no direct heir. Therefore, he was succeeded by his nephew Friedrich Wilhelm II, who was born on September 25, 1744, at the time of his coronation he was 42 years old. With this king, the Frederick system of government began to collapse and the decline of Prussia began. Under him, Prussia eliminated the importance of the leading power in Germany. This infamous king passed away on November 16, 1797. Frederick William III ascended the throne.

STRONG NUT GIRLED WITHOUT FIGHT

In the second half of the 18th century, the Pillau fortress was one of the most powerful Prussian fortresses. It had five bastions, was reinforced with ravelins, surrounded by a moat with water and an auxiliary rampart - a counter-guard. Inside the fortress, powder magazines, a grain warehouse, an arsenal, a commandant's house, a church, and rooms for soldiers were equipped. In general, the fortress was an exceptionally tough nut to crack. Luciano carried symbolic keys from it (as well as from the Friedrichsburg Gate in Konigsberg) were presented on January 21, 1758 to the commander-in-chief of the Russian troops, General Fermor, in the Royal Castle: the Seven Years' War was going on ...

Russian troops entered Pillau on January 24 without encountering armed resistance. The burgomaster and members of the magistrate, with swords, went out to meet the small detachment of Major Vigant ... Bells were ringing in the city. And soon all citizens already swore allegiance to the Russian Empress Elizabeth, daughter. It is interesting that in Russia only noblemen swore allegiance to the emperors, and in Prussia this right was granted to everyone. And history has not recorded cases of oath evasion.

The first Russian commandant of Pillau was Major Engineer Rodion Gerbel, a famous builder of fortifications. His father, Nicholas Gerbel, came to Russia from Switzerland in the times of Peter the Great, and took part in the construction of St. Petersburg. Russified as much as possible. He baptized his son according to the Orthodox tradition.

Rodion Nikolayevich Gerbel studied for two years (1731-1732) in Konigsberg, at an engineering school, then - in 1744 - visited East Prussia as part of the Russian embassy, ​​heading in a roundabout way to Stockholm. By the way, together with his classmate at the engineering school Larion, the father of the future field marshal. Rodion Gerbel took part in all key battles Seven Years War: at Gross-Jägersdorf, Zondorf, Kunersdorf, the siege and capture of Memel and Konigsberg.

Subsequently, the surname Gerbel will be inscribed in the history of Russia more than once: the grandson of Rodion Nikolaevich, Karl Gustavovich Gerbel, the Knight of St. George, will distinguish himself in 1807 at the Battle of Preussisch-Eylau, and in December 1812 - January 1813 will triumph through Tilsit and Koenigsberg to Hamburg. And the great-grandson - Nikolai Gerbel - will become a famous Russian writer.

Gerbel held the command of Pillau for a year. Managed to organize a customs service and control over shipping along the strait. Then - he left with the troops across the Vistula, to solve the next military task. As commandant, he was replaced by Colonel Freiman, after whom was Major Vigant. Vigant was replaced by Colonel Khomutov, and from 1760 to 1762 Colonel Girshgend performed this duty. At this time, thanks to the Governor-General of Corfu, a Russian dam appeared in Pillau. It was a very important project. The harbor that existed at Pillau was small for Russian ships. Therefore, on a place called Maulshillen (ie, "slap in the face"), a new, wider one was built. There were a number of icebreakers here, and the coast was fortified by 10,000 fascines, i.e. special bundles of brushwood. The dam was 450 meters long (today this place is called the Russian Embankment). Prussian peasants were involved in the construction, but they were released during the harvest. By the way, the Russian army was provided with food from supplies from Russia. Such was the strange occupation. Not at all burdensome for the occupied territories. However, attempts to resist locals nevertheless they did it.

King Frederick the Great, being outside of East Prussia, encouraged people loyal to him to fight the "occupiers". Communication was maintained through the postmaster Pillau Ludwig Wagner. Using his mail channels, Wagner transmitted news and money collected by like-minded people to the king. He was sure that he was above suspicion: according to some information, the Russian governor of Prussia von Korf was very interested in his, Ludwig, his sister Maria. In addition, Wagner himself made friends with a couple of Russian officers.

But ... at the beginning of 1759, several residents of Pillau (in particular, the building and licensing inspector Lange and Captain von Hambeau, under whose command the prisoners were in the fortress) drew up a plan to free the fortress from Russian "usurpation". The plan was ridiculous - already because about fifty people knew about it. Both in Pillau and in Königsberg. Naturally, someone reported about the "Pillau conspiracy" of the Russian administration.

That evening, Wagner learned that Lange and Hambeau had also been arrested. All the conspirators were sent to Konigsberg. On June 28, 1759, Ludwig Wagner was sentenced to death penalty through quartering. But Empress Elizabeth pardoned Wagner, and he was "just" exiled to Siberia. Having passed through Moscow, Solikamsk, Tomsk, Yeniseisk and other cities, Wagner ended up in Tobolsk - exactly by the time, after the death of Elizabeth Petrovna, her nephew Peter III, an ardent admirer of Frederick the Great, inherited the Russian throne.

Peter III immediately made peace with the beloved Prussian king, returned Prussia to him - and Wagner, who had ceased to be considered an exiled conspirator, set off on his way back. He did not find his sister alive. The cause of her death remained unknown. But it was said that the beautiful Maria, in her turn, not indifferent to the Governor-General of Corfu, withered away after she turned into the "sister of the conspirator."

Wagner sent a Memorandum to the king. After listing in detail all that he had lost, he presented Frederick with a bill of 6,000 thalers. The king received Wagner in Potsdam, lined up a guard of honor, drew his sword, solemnly said "Welcome from Siberia!", But did not give him any money. But he again appointed Wagner postmaster in Pillau.

Subsequently, Wagner will write a book of memoirs about his Siberian misadventures, and a street in Pillau will be named after him (now it is a lane named after A.S. Pushkin). And in memory of the time when East Prussia belonged to Russia, a monument to Empress Elizabeth was erected in Baltiysk. For some reason - an equestrian statue ...

It is interesting that the Pillau fortress, which surrendered to the Russians without a single shot, in 1807 became one of the three Prussian fortresses that fiercely resisted Napoleon's troops. The commandant of the fortress was then the 76-year-old Colonel von Herrmann, a very curious person: so, he spent his everyday sleep ... in a coffin. Explaining his quirk by the fact that at his venerable age it is time to get used to the "wooden box". When the French demanded to surrender Pillau to them, Herrmann gathered a garrison in the courtyard of the fortress, ordered the coffin to be brought and told the audience: “Friends! As long as I live, I will not surrender the fortress. Here is my coffin. Who of you will outlive me, I hope, will put me, your boss and commander, in this coffin. Here, in the presence of all of you, I will once again repeat the oath that I took a long time ago, when I entered military service, my monarch, my state. All those in whom military honor lives, I ask you to repeat: "Prussia or death!"

And the garrison behaved like a hero. The French lost 122 people killed and wounded. One cannonball, fired by the defenders of Pillau, hit right into the mouth of the French cannon, which shattered into pieces, which pretty much slashed the Napoleonic artillerymen ... The fortress did not surrender for eight days. It is not known how this whole story would have ended, but on June 26, 1807, an armistice was concluded in Tilsit.