What to do and see in Kaliningrad, Northwestern District: The Best Budget-friendly Things to do

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.

Fort XI Donhoff is the fortified structure built in 1877-1882. It is one of 12 forts composing the outer fortification ring of former Fortress Koenigsberg previously called "Night feather-bed of Konigsberg". In the end of the Second World War on April 7, 1945 the garrison located in Fort XI capitulated practically without fight. On this reason it is the most undisturbed and well-preserved fort among other Kaliningrad forts. Nowadays guests visiting Fort XI Donhoff have possibility to touch pure history and see with their own eyes the part of Koenigsberg defensive system that existed before 1945. There are such interesting exhibits and objects as original German gate, iron spiral staircases, barracks corridors, an observation post, the operating lifting mechanism for a raising of ammunition, etc. Now it is under the management of a private company that preserves its identity and develops the fort as a museum, touristic, cultural and artisan center.

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 Historical and Cultural Centre “The Grand Embassy” in the King’s Gate (Department of the Museum of the World Ocean) The museum is located in the historical building, which used to be one of the elements of the old city’s defensive system of the XIX century. In 1843, laying of the gate’s foundation stone was attended by King Friedrich Wilhelm IV of Prussia. Rulers, craftspeople and peasants went through the gate.Today the King’s Gate is a museum dedicated to the origin and development of the fortress-town, visits of outstanding foreigners to Koenigsberg, origin of Russian diplomacy and old links between this land and Russia. Keys, locks, chest, rare maps and images reconstruct the discrepant history of Koenigsberg-Kaliningrad step by step. The famous Prussian Cat meets all the visitors. He is a keeper of the city’s keys and brings luck to everybody who strokes him.There is a souvenir art galley “Poterna” located in the immediate vicinity of the Gate. Poterna used to be an integral part of the defensive belt surrounding Koenigsberg of the XIX century as well.