Kaliningrad Castles

Located on the Baltic Sea, the Kaliningrad region has many historical and cultural places, which are far from tourist trails. There are many Gothic buildings, mostly castles, in the Kaliningrad region. Most of them were forgotten for a long time. It’s time now to re-discover them.

The Kaliningrad castles were built by the Order of Teutonic knights, bishops or the Episcopal chapter.   The Teutonic Order was granted special authority, whereby they had the ability to operate independently from the countries in which they resided in.  Emperor Frederick II approved special imperial privileges to Christianize the pagan Baltic Prussians.   The Teutonic Order started the invasion in 1230.

The battles against Prussians were strong and bloody.  It took 50 years to stop resistance of non-baptized Prussians and establish a monastic state on this land. Led by Grand Masters and Knights, the Teutonic Knights took Prussian strongholds and replaced them with their own fortresses. 

Balga castle is the first fortress of the Teutonic Order on the territory of Old Prussia. It was located on the border of the Teutonic state and Prussian land-Notangia.  The fortress was on a steep hill 26 meters in height. It was on the shoreline of the Vistule Lagoon. In 1250, The Order began to change the fortress into a castle. Later, the castle became an administration center of the Teutonic Order. Soon tens of other fortresses were constructed on top of the ruined Prussian strongholds; most of them were replaced by castles. The building materials are bricks, boulders, waterproof timber and lime. During that time The Order state had a great growing power with a strong economy, trade all around Europe and the main navy of Baltic Sea.

During the long history this region it was the center of many historical events. Many castles were built and great cities were formed around them. Many historical evens happened there. Names of the grate kings, imperator and heroes were mentioned in connection to them.  What we know right now with the name of Kaliningrad region, was a part of the Teutonic Order monastic state, which was later secularized and replaced by the Duchy of Prussia. Later it was Kingdom of Prussia and than part of German Empire. Cross from white knight’s mantles became a symbols of Nazi Germany - iron cross. Its modern name Kaliningrad region with center of Kaliningrad got after World War II, when it was annexed by Soviet Union. It was renamed from Konigsberg, which was the capital of the Order state and than of East Prussia. Unfortunately famous Konigsberg castle was destroyed.

Kaliningrad and surrounded territory with its castles was damaged by Allied bombing in 1944.  Unfortunately, not a large number of old castles exist in the modern time. But here are the names of Kaliningrad castles that are in approximately good condition: Balga, Gerdauen, Georgienburg, Insterburg, Labiau, Neuhausen, Preussisch - Eylau, Ragnit, Saalua, Taplacken, Waldau. Most of them need care and reconstruction.

Insterburg castle is the most popular now for cultural events -concerts, art exhibitions and historical reproductions of the battles. There is a museum in the northern part of the Insterburg. Castle Georgienburg and famous stud farm is in a short distance with it. Georgienburg was famous of its Trakehner horses with family history since 1771. Horse jumping competitions and famous championships take part in Georgienburg now as well as breeding of best quality horses.  In short, there are many opportunities to explore both Kaliningrad Castles as well as the modern culture found in Kaliningrad.  It’s an experience you will not soon forget.