The 10 Best Specialty Museums in Kaliningrad, Northwestern District

The submarine is one of the most popular objects of the Museum of the World Ocean. The B-413 was built in Leningrad and was launched in September, 1968. During 30 years it had been serving in the North and Baltic Fleets. The submarine was moored at the museum quay in June, 2000. It is the only one in the country and a few in the world belonging to pre-atomic period of undersea fleet. Moreover, it is preserved in its original state. Firm and light hulls, superstructure, all the major and auxiliary mechanisms, equipment and weapons are the same as they were after the submarine was excluded from the Navy. What strikes you most as you walk along the narrow corridors and squeeze through the seemingly miniscule portholes that protect each section, is the incredible mechanical complexity. This 1960s technology required pipes, cumbersome and hard wearing switches and large well worn wheels to keep the submarine either afloat or submerged, as needs dictated.

The museum is located in an old German house in the historical district of Kaliningrad. Here you will get acquainted with the history of amber and the art of jewelers, see the collection of inclusions, and also be able to purchase items at the manufacturer's price. The collection of the museum - a variety of samples representing the color palette of amber, rare forms and items from different eras.

Museum of the World Ocean is one of the most innovative modern cultural institutions in Russia. It is more than just a museum – it’s also a cultural centre offering opportunities to see, learn about, and listen to everything marine. We try to connect different shores, cultures and people with our permanent expositions and temporary exhibitions, innovative ideas and ecological initiatives.Our vessels: Diesel/electric Submarine "B-413", Scientific-research Vessel "Vityaz", Research vessel of the Russian Aerospace Agency "Kosmonavt Victor Patsaev", Medium Catching Trawler "SRT-129", Icebreaker "Krasin". Main building and open territory: Aquariums with dwellers of various areas of the World ocean. Congress-hall for exhibitions, conferences and presentations. Exposition "Shores of the World". The lighthouse “Sperm-whale” pavilion. Open territory with oceanological and diving equipment, archeological findings. Landscape park "The Baltic Sea".

The Friedrichsburg Gate is all that has been left of a citadel of the same name once existing on the left bank of the Pregel River. Constituting part of a defensive rampart, it blocked the river passage controlling the ships’ entry into the harbour. This fortress, the most up-to-date for its time, was encountered by the Russian czar Peter the Great when he arrived in Königsberg with the Grand Embassy in 1697. They say that this acquaintance with the fortifications of Königsberg and Pillau was before long used by czar Peter in the construction of Peter and Paul fortress.In 1910, the citadel was demolished, sparing the gate. The latter suffered severe damage in the war, and it was only in 2007 that the gate was consigned to the Museum of the World Ocean for restoration. The gate now houses the museum about the history of the fortress itself and how Russia was learning to build ships.