The Brandenburg Gate (German name Brandenburger Tor) is a living testimony to the history of the city of Kaliningrad and the legacy of the Prussian Konigsberg.
Currently, the Brandenburg Gate is among the top attractions of Kaliningrad and is an architectural monument of Federal significance.
Also, the Brandenburg Gate is one of the seven preserved city gates of Kaliningrad and the only one still used for its intended purpose - the carriageway of Bagration Street passes through the gate.
The Brandenburg Gate was built in Konigsberg in 1657 as part of the fortifications of the city of Konigsberg. The gate is named after the Brandenburg Castle (now the village of Ushakovo), as it is located at the intersection with the road leading to the castle.
Initially, the Brandenburg Gate was made of wood. And for reliable protection, there was a moat filled with water in front of the gate. A hundred years later, by order of King Frederick II, the wooden and already battered gates were broken and in their place a more reliable brick building with thick walls and two spacious passages with pointed ends was built. At that time, there were also service, utility, storage rooms and lifts.
In 1843, during the restoration work, significant changes were made, as a result of which the Brandenburg Gate was almost rebuilt on the same site. Later, the gates were also subjected to reconstruction and restoration and maintenance work.
Marzipan Museum at the Brandenburg Gate
Another interesting thing, which has already become a kind of attraction of Kaliningrad, is the Marzipan Museum, located in the Brandenburg Gate.
The marzipan Museum, although small, but in it you can learn the history of the Konigsberg marzipan, see marzipan products, for example, The Konigsberg Cathedral and the Struggling Bison, as well as the old original packaging, once used for marzipan sweets, molds and other items for the production of marzipan.
The museum has a marzipan shop, where you can buy sweets, chocolate and other sweets with marzipan, both local and German production.
Museum opening hours: daily, from 10:00 to 21:00. Admission is free (free of charge). Address: Kaliningrad, Bagration str., 137.
Konigsberg marzipan (Königsberger Marzipan) is a type of marzipan traditionally made in German Konigsberg, a characteristic feature of which is the burnt surface of golden or light brown color.
Initially, Konigsberg marzipan was developed in Switzerland. From Berlin, Konigsberg marzipan was distinguished by a greater roasting and a darker color. Also, more bitter almonds were added to the dough of "local" marzipan, which made the Konigsberg marzipan more fragrant and saturated. But from marzipan from Lubeck, Konigsberg differed in lower sugar content, oven-browned crust and funny shapes, made in the form of animals, buildings, toys, etc.
In Tsarist Russia, marzipan was one of the main elements accompanying winter holidays.
Where is the Brandenburg Gate
At the end of Bagration Street, at the beginning of Suvorov Street, within walking distance from the Southern railway station (500 meters from the station).
From the Southern Railway Station, you should go to the left, if you stand with your back to the central entrance to the station building, along Yuzhnovokzalnaya Street to the intersection with Suvorov Street and then turn right, or from the station along Zheleznodorozhnaya Street, through the OilBalt gas station.
Near the Brandenburg Gate
Near the Brandenburg Gate, there is another small and often unnoticeable historical landmark of Kaliningrad - the former Haberberg Cemetery, or rather what remains of it, namely, a brick wall and a memorial plaque embedded in it with three sculptural portraits of professors-rectors of the University of Koenigsberg "Albertina", who were laid to rest in this cemetery in the 19th century: philologist Ludvigas Reza 1776-1840, physiologist Karl Burdach 1776-1847 and philosopher Jacob Kraus 1753-1807
The wall with commemorative portraits is located just south of the Brandenburg Gate, just near the OilBalt gas station.
Near the Southern Railway Station, on Kalinin Square (former Reichsplatz), there is a monument to M.I. Kalinin (1959, sculptor B. Edunov).
Photo of the Southern Railway Station in Kaliningrad
