What to do and see in Kaliningrad, Northwestern District: The Best Hidden Gems Things to do

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.

Walking Tours (Free Tours every Friday) in Kaliningrad, City Car and Bus Tours in Kaliningrad. Beer and Food Tours. Tours to the Curonian Spit, Svetlogorsk, Yantarny, Baltiysk, Chernyakhovsk. Tours for Single Travelers and Organized Groups. Tours in English, Polish, German, Chinese. (in Italian in the near future).

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.

Park of miniatures is a unique tourist place , that can be attractive not only for Russian tourists but for the foreign tourists too. Citizens of Kaliningrad district which is territorially separated from the rest of Russia have an open opportunity to see the living image of all architectural masterpieces of “big” Russia. The project “History in architecture” is also an educational project which is designed for school children, artists and people studying history and architecture.