Kaliningrad, the former Königsberg, is territorially divorced from the rest of Russia. Not many citizens from the "mainland" were able to visit this beautiful region of East Prussia. Also, residents of the Kaliningrad region rarely come to Moscow, St. Petersburg and other parts of Russia. And in order to overcome this “territorial gap”, an amazing project “History in Architecture” was launched. Kaliningrad (South Park) received a new amazing attraction - an exhibition of miniatures. It presents architectural masterpieces from different parts of the "greater Russia". But before we talk about the miniature exhibition in more detail, let's take a walk (virtually, of course) along the beautiful alleys of the South Park. After all, it is also a landmark of the city.
Where is Yuzhny Park in Kaliningrad
It would be logical to assume that an object with this name should be located in the midday side from the center. But the name of the park is not so simple. Since 2008, it has been officially named the “40th anniversary of the Komsomol”. And before that, it was called Sailor, since it had warehouses of the Baltic Fleet. Even earlier, it was called “It. Horst Wessel. " But during the time of East Prussia, when the park was broken in 1927, the inhabitants gave it the name "Southern". And this name so stuck that no decrees “from above” could knock it out of the memory of the townspeople.
So if you ask any passerby where the South Park is in Kaliningrad, he will surely explain your way. Well, we will tell you the exact address: Oktyabrskaya street, 92. You can go into the park from Kalinin Avenue or from Dzerzhinsky Street. Another landmark is South Station. Cross the road from the monument to Lenin - and you are already in the park. Well, let's go, see what it is and why it was called the pearl of Königsberg in the first half of the 20th century?
Kaliningrad, South Park: description
The ancient capital of East Prussia was famous for its fortifications. When new technologies of warfare made gates and ditches unnecessary, the townspeople decided to set up a park in the southern tip of Königsberg. Some fortifications survived. This is the majestic Friedland Gate, which must be inspected. This attraction is located in that corner of the park that overlooks Kalinin Avenue and Dzerzhinsky Street. Former fortification ditches served well. According to them, the townspeople launched the waters of the Pregol river. Thus formed three lovely ponds. A boat station and a bathhouse were installed on them in the capital of Prussia. Southern was broken according to the canons of the English park. That is, the visitor should have the impression that he is in the wilderness: in the forest, on the lawns. Chestnuts were planted along the alleys. And in the park itself, fir, willow and maples grow.
Excursions
Is it worth it to look into this corner of nature for those tourists who arrived in Kaliningrad for a day or two? Yuzhny Park is small, and you can explore it on your own in half an hour or forty minutes. But if you want not only to admire the ponds and shady alleys, but to learn a lot of interesting things about the history of the city, you should order one of two excursions: Yuzhny Park (sightseeing) or Königsberg Assault. The latter is dedicated to the East Prussian operation. On the main avenue of the park are two monuments of the Soviet era: pilots and Komsomol members. The recreation area is constantly being improved. Now it has a summer cafe and several attractions for children. In the future, it is planned to open a water park and circus here. Also along the alleys will pass the ecological trail.
2017 New
The last attraction that glorified Yuzhny Park (Kaliningrad) is a miniature park. As part of the History in Architecture project, sponsored by the Hydrocomfort trading company, nine copies of structures at a scale of 1:25, which are located in Russia, were installed. Even those who saw the originals with their own eyes, it will be interesting to look at these miniatures. After all, they can be seen from a different angle. For example, bend over to view the domes of the church in Kizhi (Karelia).
All copies appear faithful to the originals to the smallest detail. During a trip through the miniature park you will not leave the feeling of Gulliver in the country of midgets. And at the same time, you will take an express journey throughout Russia. You will see the house of the steamer Menshov from Perm, the Triumphal Gate from Vladivostok, the Yekaterinburg Church on Blood, and even a stele of military glory, the original of which is installed in Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky.
Opening hours, prices
Naturally, admission is free to Yuzhny Park (Kaliningrad). The thumbnail fair was freely available on its opening day, June 3, 2017. Then they began to charge for entry. Now it is one hundred rubles for an adult ticket and half price for a child. Kids up to six years old go to the miniature park for free. In summer, you can book excursions here: standard (150 rubles per person) or detailed (250 rubles). Such symbolic prices are explained by the fact that now there are only nine objects on display. And they plan to install as many as thirty pieces. Perhaps when the exposition of the park of reduced copies becomes full, the ticket price will increase.
Reviews
Children and adults are completely delighted with how interesting and informative it is possible to explore the whole of Russia in half an hour. The miniature exhibition, which is located in Kaliningrad in Yuzhny Park, receives only positive feedback. Visitors are surprised at the accuracy with which the copies were made. Architectural masterpieces can be viewed from all sides, including from above, which cannot be done with the original. So, in one place and at one time you can comprehend the greatness and beauty of Russian architecture. Visitors report that in August 2017 the collection should be replenished with another miniature - a copy of the royal palace in Königsberg.