Kaliningrad is heterogeneous and attractive precisely because of this heterogeneity. There are districts with a distinct nostalgia for Soviet times, and there are streets that you would rather see in some historical film about the burgher realities of life in the last century. Museums of Kaliningrad clearly demonstrate this feature, allowing you to recognize the city in its various components: in the amazing architecture of the Cathedral, in the refined lines of numerous forts, in the streets of old Khufen and similar quarters.

Friedland Gate Museum

The museum owns an architectural monument of the same name of the late nineteenth century. Then the new fortress gates were conceived as part of the fortress walls, but gradually the walls began to be dismantled, and all roads were laid in a detour. The gate was simply not used. The restoration of this architectural monument was carried out by the Germans, who at first initiated small excursion programs for those who are nostalgic for German culture.

Today, the local excursion format is largely innovative. The most interesting part of the tour is not getting to know the historical component of the life of the fortress and the gate, but a walk through the streets of the old city, which today is possible due to a combination of visual and sound effects. From September to April, the museum is open from 10:00 to 18:00, in other months – until 19:00. There are no days off. The ticket price includes not only a visit to the exhibition, but also the opportunity to take a picture in one of the medieval vestments.

World Ocean Museum

The museum is located on the embankment of Peter the Great. He works both in the direction of studying the nature of the world ocean, and on the problems of its history. Many of the exhibits are unique, such as the collection of clam shells or the collection of nineteenth-century literature on the ocean. The pearl of the museum is undoubtedly the ship “Vityaz”. A unique space communications vessel, a submarine and other marine vehicles are also open to guests. A visit to each museum object is paid separately. The most expensive is a visit to the exposition “Depth” in combination with an aquarium – 300 rubles without a tour guide.

The opening hours of each facility are also different. Almost all of them are open for visiting from 10:00 and close for tourists at 18:00. Check out the official website for full details.

Historical and cultural center “Ship Sunday”

This historical and cultural center is located in the premises of the Friedrichsburg Gate. Here are collected exhibits that will shed light on the history of shipbuilding, as well as clearly demonstrate how the restoration of historical ships is taking place today. You can not only immerse yourself in the purely theoretical aspect of this area, but also personally take part in the difficult task of restoration. It is noteworthy that on the territory of “Ship Sunday” various mass thematic events are regularly held, in which it may be interesting to participate.

The center is open to visitors from 10:00 to 18:00. Days off are Monday and Tuesday.

Historical and Cultural Center “Great Embassy”

The expositions of the center took under their arches the King's Gate, a beautiful monument of fortification architecture of the nineteenth century. Friedrich Wilhelm IV, King of Prussia, took part in their laying. Once, under their arches, kings drove into the city, but World War II almost destroyed them to the ground.

After the bombing, many statues were destroyed, and fragments of the walls were simply missing. The restoration of this monument has become the property of many nations. So, masters from Poland worked on the restoration of facades, and the restoration of sculptures became possible only thanks to a successful Russian-German collaboration. As you might guess, after the reconstruction work was completed, materials relating to the notorious journey of Peter the Great to Europe were placed here.

The “Grand Embassy” is open from 11:00 to 19:00 on all days except Monday and Tuesday.

Submarine Museum B-413

This unique museum ship has every right to be considered one of the most significant components of the museum complex. It attracts the attention of researchers for several reasons. Today, very few pre-atomic submarines have survived in the world, and the B-413 belongs to this type. In addition, it was preserved in its authentic state – neither the hull, nor the interior, nor the superstructures, nor the mechanisms were damaged.

A visit to this floating facility takes place in an interactive format – guests are invited to become members of the crew, and therefore the number of people is clearly regulated – 15. In the course of a kind of game, they will have to face the tasks that regularly stand in the way of real submarine sailors. The price of an adult ticket (with a guided tour) is 300 rubles. In this case, a free visit to the Water Cube will be a gift. The submarine is open to the public from 10:00 to 18:00 on all days except Tuesday.

Pavilion of the Naval Center “Water Cube”

The name of this part of the World Ocean Museum is rather unusual. This pavilion is the first fully completed part of the Ocean Planet Center project, which is still under construction. This museum building is made in the form of a cube with mirrored walls, which fully reflects its name.

Inside this very futuristic building are exhibition halls and a small cafe. Now the exposition “War at Sea” is located here, namely the part of it that studies in detail the naval battles of the First World War. Water Cube is open for guests from 10:00 to 18:00. Days off are Monday and Tuesday.

Exhibition buildings “Marine Königsberg-Kaliningrad” and “Warehouse“

These exhibition buildings stand on the embankment of Peter the Great. They most clearly show that the modern buildings of the museum are mostly located on the territory of the old port. And the collections of the exhibition buildings themselves are located in warehouses built in the nineteenth century. The Warehouse is one of the most modern exhibition halls, thanks to which many masters from abroad are exhibiting here with pleasure.

Temporary exhibitions are held in the Marine Königsberg-Kaliningrad building, but everyone knows it as a place where you can see an old ship of the nineteenth century, whose restoration was finally completed. In this building you can get acquainted with the maritime history of the city. Next to the buildings you can also see the so-called Kant's bench. True or not, today it is already difficult to say, but it is believed that the great philosopher liked to walk through the port and, sitting on a bench, watch the ships.

Both buildings are open from 10:00 to 18:00. Tuesday is a day off.

Amber Museum

This is the only amber museum in Russia, which makes it undeniably interesting to visit. It occupies one of the fortress towers of the second half of the nineteenth century. The building was built in the Neo-Gothic style and resembles a slightly flattened “tour” standing on the shores of Lake Superior. The museum's collections are amazing. They contain exhibits whose age is estimated to be the fourth millennium BC. Of particular value to researchers are samples of jewelry brought from Europe in the seventeenth century. You are guaranteed to be interested in the exhibition of jewelry and household items made of amber collected in Japan, Germany, the USA, France and other countries.

The largest “sun stone” of Russia is also stored here, whose weight is almost 5 kilograms. Every year the museum hosts jewelers who come to the exhibition of author's works. The full cost of visiting all the exhibitions of the museum will cost 430 rubles. From May to September, the museum is open from 10:00 to 19:00, in other months it closes at 18:00. There are no days off.

Regional History and Art Museum

This museum is the same age as the Kaliningrad region itself. The filling of museum funds began at the end of the Second World War, so today it is his collection that is perhaps the richest in the region. Here you can see natural science, art, and historical collections. The main expositions are located in the old Stadthalle building, which literally means “City Hall” in German. Today, the museum complex includes two more separate expositions – the Bunker and Fort No. 5 museums.

Guests have the opportunity to purchase tickets to visit one of the museums or buy a ticket that guarantees the opportunity to visit all three. KOHM is open from 10:00 to 18:00. The day off is Monday.

Bunker Museum

The museum fully justifies its name. It is located in a former German reinforced concrete bomb shelter, which was commissioned almost at the very end of World War II. In March 1945, the headquarters of General Lyash was moved here, with which the main events in the bunker are connected. We are talking about the storming of Koenigsberg by Russian troops. A significant part of the exposition is devoted to the negotiations that took place between representatives of hostile commands during the assault.

You can find out about what happened to the Russian parliamentarians at the end of your visit to the museum. It is noteworthy that the museum itself was opened relatively long ago – back in the seventies. It was a joint initiative of Russian and German researchers. However, even today you can listen to the tour both in Russian and in German. The museum is open daily from 10:00 to 18:00.

Museum “Fort No. 5”

Fort No. 5 is still one of the most powerful structures in Kaliningrad. It was built at the end of the nineteenth century, during the struggle of King Frederick William III with the Napoleonic plague. Today, Fort No. 5 is significant not only as an example of fortification thought, but also as an outstanding example of building art. It is one of twelve forts built at one time along the city's ring road.

This system of fortifications received a very poetic name – “Night feather bed of Königsberg”. Today, all the premises of the fort are open to the public, including courtyards and shelters. There are also exhibitions dedicated to the defense of the city, and the White Rose project, which highlights the years of student resistance to the Nazi regime. From October to April, the museum is open from 10:00 to 19:00, in other months the opening hours are extended until 20:00. There are no days off.

Fort No. 11 “Dönhoff”

Of the twelve fortifications mentioned above, this fort is the best preserved. Despite almost two centuries of history and dozens of battles, the architecture of the fort was practically not damaged, however, no particularly large battles were fought on its territory. But it is for the best, because during the restoration it turned out that many of the old mechanisms are still working. For example, an elevator for lifting shells, which has only one analogue, and it is located in Holland. The casemates of the fort create a certain atmosphere, which can be fully felt within the framework of closed thematic quests.

Such a visit option can be an excellent opportunity to spend, for example, a birthday. There are two basic scenarios, but guests can also create an individual program. The fort is open daily from 11:00 to 17:30. Guided tours run at fixed times starting at 11:00 am and at 2 hour intervals. The last tour starts at 17:00.

Museum of the History of the Kaliningrad Railway

The territory of the museum is small, but this does not detract from its significance. It is noteworthy that it was originally created on the initiative of the railway workers themselves, who understood the importance of preserving rare models of railway vehicles. The museum is located in such a way that guests can see dozens of exhibits against the backdrop of the South Station.

Today, dozens of rarities stand on a high embankment, ranging from captured steam locomotives to passenger cars of the late nineteenth century. The museum is open from 08:00 to 16:00 on weekdays. On weekends, there are excursions for schoolchildren and groups, but only by individual agreement. Entrance to the museum is free.

Art Museum

The Kaliningrad Museum dedicated to fine arts is quite young, but it has already earned the reputation of one of the most dynamically developing complexes. At the moment, it is the only institution in the region where paintings by Russian and foreign masters are exhibited in parallel. Under the exposition of the museum was given the building of the nineteenth century Trade Exchange. Here are mainly samples of official and alternative art of the second half of the last century.

In addition, there is a large collection of Russian ceramics, as well as an extensive exhibition dedicated to the visual arts of East Prussia. The museum is open from 10:00 to 19:00 on all days except Thursday and Friday (it is open from 10:00 to 21:00) and Monday (day off).

Kant Museum

No matter how strange it may sound, but this museum is a completely equal component of the Cathedral. Its expositions are diverse and are mainly associated either with the personality of Immanuel Kant himself, or with the historical past of the city. Kant and his rather motley surroundings are given the third floor. More than complete information about his works, scientific activities, as well as friends is collected here. A separate part of the exposition is devoted to his relationship with the then Russian Empire.

It is noteworthy that the grave of the great scientist and philosopher is also located on the territory of the cathedral. The second floor houses the numismatic collection and the famous Wallenrod Library. On the first floor there are expositions dedicated to the Kneiphof island itself, or Kant Island. The museum is open all week from 10:00 to 18:00.

Museum-apartment ALTES HAUS

ALTES HAUS is located in the apartment where the Grossman family once lived. The head of the family was a typical food shop owner in the Hufen area of the early twentieth century. The tour includes an immersion in the historical past of the Hufen and Amalienau districts, as well as an acquaintance with the life of the Konigsberg entrepreneurs of that time. From Herr Grossman there is a wonderful collection of shoes, clothes, as well as accessories for smoking and smoking pipes.

Frau Grossmann's boudoir is also perfectly preserved, along with all the toiletries, as well as the wardrobe of the mistress of the house. During the tour, you will learn more about what life was like for the venerable fraulein and frau at the turn of the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. This unusual museum is open from Monday to Saturday. It opens at 11:00, 13:00 and 15:00.

Cathedral

Today the Cathedral of Kaliningrad does not perform religious functions. Its complex includes the Immanuel Kant Museum, an academic concert hall and an organ complex, which is the largest in Russia. The cathedral has an extremely dramatic history, including its complete destruction by enemy aircraft during the Second World War and the subsequent resurrection from the ashes. This made the cathedral a real symbol of the city, and the presence of more than outstanding architecture turned it into an architectural dominant. The real pride of the cathedral is its organs – a small choir and a large one.

Every day small concerts are held, which are always popular. Also, domestic and foreign masters are regularly invited to perform full-fledged programs. The International Organ Competition, traditionally causing great excitement, is also held here every year. For a list of upcoming performances and prices, please visit the website.

Museum “Sculpture Park”

As the name implies, Sculpture Park is a real open-air park. Entrance here is free. The park is laid out on the island of Kant around the Cathedral. It has a fairly diverse collection of contemporary art. Most of the exhibits appeared in the mid-eighties.

The park itself is a picturesque arboretum, the laying of which began back in the sixties, trying to fill the wastelands that appeared during the hostilities. Most of the sculptures in the park today relate to the theme “Man and the World”. Not all local exhibits were created by the hands of local craftsmen. But the sculptures came out invariably memorable. What a grotesque monument to Chopin or the figure of Peter the Great is worth!