Walking in Kaliningrad, Russia

Kaliningrad is a unique region of Russia. It is the westernmost region that geographically located in Europe. It is completely separated from main Russian territory. Lithuania is between main Russia and Kaliningrad. Before The World War II it was part of Germany. Kaliningrad City had name Königsberg. In translation it means King’s Mountain.

Kaliningrad is one of the few European cities that managed to preserve a significant part of the city’s fortifications. Thus, a simple walk can turn into a real tour around the unique museum of fortifications. Fortifications of the former Königsberg consist of numerous defensive walls, forts, bastions, and other structures. They make up the First and the Second Defensive Belts. The Second Belt was built in the middle of the XIX century by General von Aster, and largely outlines the First one, built in the XVII century. For almost three centuries they were the border of Königsberg, and now their remains outline the historical core of the city.