The 10 Best Things to Do in Kaliningrad, Russia

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.

We are glad to invite you to our apartment situated in the old house built in 1912, and where the spirit of old Koenigsberg is still completely perceivable. The time seems to stop in this place. One may easily come over and find oneself surrounded by the atmosphere of the beginning of XX century, it is the past that could be in reach of one’s hand and of one’s breath; that marks the delicious coffee offered by the fireplace. Besides, coffee is served in a vintage porcelain cup too. Happily survived authentic interior, unusual furniture and housekeeping items let you look into 100 years back and be in a position of an East Prussian’s citizen. During our time voyage we tell how Koenigsberg and its most luxurious district Amalienau were built up in XIX – XX centuries. We show which city-planning rules were used to design the architecture of the district and the German house itself. A short insight into a history of East Prussia let you find out the characters of housekeeping and everyday life of citizens who lived in our region 100 years ago. This museum has no fencing, glass cases or watchmen at all. The objects of the exhibition are original stuff found by chance in garrets or bought at flea markets and European auctions. Here you can sit on an antique chair or an armchair wherever you like, you may play the phisharmonica as well or even grind some roasted coffee beans with an old-fashioned coffee-mill and then brew coffee in an porcelain coffee-pot by yourself. We would serve you some real Koenigsberg’s marzipan of traditional recipe. It would be a great pleasure for us to try to answer any of your questions concerning the pre-war history of Prussian Koenigsberg. And you will listen to the story sitting at the table under a picturesque lamp, wherever you like.

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".

Local history museum “Friedland gate” is located in similarly named architectural monument of XIX century- town gates “Friedland”, which were build in 1862 and which used to be a part of town fortifications of Koenigsberg.The museum is dedicated to the history of prewar Koenigsberg. And it’s block-stone road “leads” to the past of forever gone town Koenigsberg…Under the gates, combining he real block-stone road and it’s image on old prewar photos which are projected on lateral walled up embrasures; begins the unbelievable by force of emotional impact stroll across the streets of old town, “taking away” the walls and opening out the borders of time and space. The carts creak, the walking by ladies heels click, the children laugh – Friedland gate opens the time portal to the town which no longer exists. The “stroll” lasts exactly an hour and during this time you may “pass” according logically build route the whole historical center of the town look into town windows of the shops, cafes, pharmacies (the museum windows are designed in the form of street windows), to bargain at the fish market, and at the end of the stroll, just by one step come from a virtual park to find yourself in a real landscape park spreading across the bounds of Friedland gate and made on the place of former fortifications.