Svetlogorsk - a resort town on the coast of the Baltic Sea used to be the Prussian Rauschen, and in the Middle Ages - the patrimony of the knights of the Teutonic Order. The tourist infrastructure began to develop here in the first half of the 19th century after the visit of King Frederick William IV, who was amazed at the beauty of the place and ordered to improve the coastal zone.
In Svetlogorsk, buildings of the early XX century have survived, at that time the city still belonged to Prussia. After joining the USSR following the Second World War, resort life here quieted down until the 1970s, as access to the territory was restricted due to the proximity of the border. The next heyday of Svetlogorsk fell on the 2000s. Today, guests will find hotels stylized as half-timbered Prussian houses, a refined embankment with interesting sculptures, new concert halls and, of course, the immortal creations of the sculptor Hermann Brachert.
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What to see and where to go in Svetlogorsk?
The most interesting and beautiful places for walking. Photos and a short description.
Water tower
The water tower was designed by the architect O. Kukkuka at the beginning of the 20th century. Then she was part of the complex of buildings of the hydropathic establishment and served as a kind of advertisement for this institution. But the application was purely practical: regulation of water flow. The building was built in the style of late romanticism; today it is considered a symbol of the pre-war Rauschen. In the summertime, its stone walls are covered with ivy, which gives the tower even more charm.
The embankment
The city embankment stretches along the central beach. It is a popular place for walking and observing the rugged beauty of the Baltic Sea. The stone stairs of the promenade lead down to the very edge of the water. In the summertime, open-air cafes work here, tourists stroll leisurely and a real resort atmosphere reigns. In winter, chilly winds make the embankment empty and take on a particularly romantic look.
Amber hall
Concert complex, opened in 2015 on the shores of the Baltic Sea. It includes a hall for 2 thousand spectators, a cinema, a branch of the Museum of the World Ocean, conference rooms, as well as spaces occupied by restaurants and entertainment venues. The complex is designed for the widest range of activities. From 2015 to 2017, the famous festival "Voting KiViN" was held here.
Organ hall of the company "Makarov"
The hall is located in a half-timbered building with funds from the Makarov music company in the 1990s. Earlier in the 1930s, a Catholic chapel was located here, which was later destroyed. Organ music concerts are regularly held on the site, combined with informative lectures on works and composers. The building has excellent acoustics, thanks to which the instrument of the German company "Hugo Mayer" sounds in full force.
Sundial "Zodiac"
The composition is located on the embankment. It was created in the 1970s. The dial is a circle lined with colored mosaics, which depicts the zodiacal constellations. In the middle there is a spire showing the time depending on the position of the sun. The chronometer is located near one of the stairs of the embankment and serves as an excellent viewing platform for tourists.
Temple of Seraphim of Sarov
Previously, this Orthodox church was a Lutheran church. The building was built at the very beginning of the 20th century for the large Protestant parish of Rauschen. Surprisingly, the building survived during the war and was not badly damaged in subsequent years due to the fact that it was used as a sports hall. In the 1990s, the church was transferred to the Russian Orthodox Church and restored. The temple was built in the neo-gothic and modern style.
Church "Joy of All Who Sorrow"
The temple is a monument erected on the site of the terrible tragedy of 1972, when 34 people (including 23 children) were killed in a plane crash that fell on a kindergarten building. The chapel was erected with donations from residents of Svetlogorsk in 1994. Today, this modest building with white walls and a spire, surrounded by alleys, is reminiscent of the dramatic events of that time.
Exhibition-Museum "Wheel of History"
The exhibition began work in 2014. It is dedicated to the history of the city. Here you can see rare photographs and household items, vintage items, antique furniture. At the opening day, a souvenir shop is open, where you can buy postcards with historical views of the city, books and other typical utensils that tourists love so much. Along with viewing the exposition, they offer to watch a film about Svetlogorsk.
House-Museum of Hermann Brachert
The museum is dedicated to the work of the German sculptor G. Brachert, who lived in the 20th century. The collection is located in a house on the shores of the Baltic Sea, designed by the architect H. Hoppoll. It includes sculptures made of bronze and amber, photographs, personal notes of the master's wife. The museum opened in 1993. It also hosts temporary exhibitions of Kaliningrad, Lithuanian and Polish artists.
Sculpture "Carrying water"
The sculpture is one of the most famous creations of Hermann Brachert. In the first half of the 20th century, several dozen of his works adorned the cities of East Prussia. Unfortunately, most of the statues were destroyed during the war. Until the early 2000s, "Carrying Water" stood in the park, but it was moved to a museum for better preservation, and a copy was placed in its original place.
Sculpture "Nymph"
Another creation of G. Brachert, located on the city embankment. The sculptor created "Nymph" in 1938. During the First World War, the statue was badly damaged, and after it was under restoration for a long time. Originally housed in a stone niche, in the 1980s it was moved to a specially crafted colored mosaic sink. Today the sculpture is a decoration of the promenade.
Sculpture "The Frog Princess"
The statue of the heroine of the fairy tale of the same name appeared in Svetlogorsk in 2006. It was created by the local sculptor O. A. Melikhov. The history of the appearance of the sculpture is very original: in 2004, the mayor of the city saw a small figurine of the "Princess-Frog" at the exhibition and suggested Melikhov to create a copy of it for installation on one of the streets of Svetlogorsk. The master made an 85-centimeter sketch, according to which a full-fledged statue was cast.
Sculpture "Undine"
"Ondine" is located on the city embankment. She represents the original figure of a mermaid, captured at the moment when a sea inhabitant sheds a fish tail and reveals slender female legs. Ancient legends say that the Undines were very cunning and lured men to certain death. The author tried to embody in bronze the image of such a mermaid-predator, luring sailors with her beauty.
Cable car
The cable car connects the beach area with the city blocks located on the hills. The first lifting mechanism appeared in Svetlogorsk at the beginning of the 20th century. It worked until the 1960s, after which it was dismantled and a regular elevator was built. In the 1970s, a new cable car was laid, which is still in operation. It was last repaired in 2014. The cable car lifts passengers in just 5 minutes, its length does not exceed 180 meters.
Lake Tikhoe
Lake Tikhoye used to be the Müllenteich pond. It is thanks to this reservoir, and not at all the proximity of the Baltic Sea, that Rauschen became a famous resort back in the 19th century. The first hotel appeared on its shores in the 1850s.The lake was formed in the 13th century after the knights of the Teutonic Order built a dam on the stream and built a mill. Quiet is the best place for a relaxing holiday, walks in a pine forest, and playing sports.
