Tourists come to Zelenogradsk to see interesting sights, touch history, get acquainted with foreign culture on Russian soil and improve their health at one of the best resorts on the Baltic Sea coast. In the middle of the 20th century, Prussian Kranz became Soviet Zelenogradsk, and today it is a city in the Kaliningrad region, located at the junction of two cultures. Its story is similar to an adventure novel; it brings together amazing characters - sailors, amber traders, Vikings and Teutons.
What to see in Zelenogradsk in 1 day
Among the countless attractions of Zelenogradsk, we can highlight several places that have become the “face” of the small town.
Promenade
- Address: Baltic Sea embankment.
A wide pedestrian road stretches along the beaches at an altitude of several meters above sea level. Walking along the promenade, tourists can enjoy the fresh sea breeze, look at the foamy waves, and taste the water from the artesian pump room.
Next to the pump room, a long pier cuts into the sea, from where a magnificent panorama of the coast opens. Many visitors and townspeople come here to admire the sunset. Throughout the entire walking route there are benches and sports equipment, and interesting sculptures are periodically encountered. One of the most notable is the sculptural composition of the Baltic Seal. The sea animal was spread out on a huge gray stone with its face towards the water, as if inviting people to take a photo nearby.
There are shops and souvenir shops along the Promenade. You can refresh your strength in the nearby cafes.
Pump room "Queen Louise"
- Address: Friendship Alley.
A small octagonal tent made of red brick covers the pump room with healing mineral water. In 2006, philanthropist A. Dronov built a spring with his own money, which was named after Queen Louise. The royal lady was at one time hiding in Kranz.
Next to the taps there is a sign on which the beneficial properties and chemical formula of artesian water are described in German. The pump room is located in the middle of the Promenade; anyone can quench their thirst during a walk completely free of charge.
Water tower
- Address: Saratovskaya st., 2A.
One of the business cards of Zelenogradsk is distinguished not only by its interesting appearance, but also by its unique internal content. The century-old brick building stands out among other buildings in its height and massive upper tier, on which the observation deck is located. The water tower was erected at the beginning of the 20th century, but was in operation for only a few decades. The building quickly fell into disrepair and over time lost a significant part of its decor.
In 2006, restoration of the architectural monument began. The craftsmen managed to partially restore the appearance of the tower and the stucco above the arched entrance. The storage tank under the roof was painted black and surrounded by an observation deck. Today the tower, like a beacon, beckons visitors to the Murarium located inside - a museum of cats and cats.
Murarium
- Address: Saratovskaya st., 2A.
The museum is a declaration of love to all the cats on the planet. Furry animals are presented here in all possible forms from all existing materials: metal badges, wooden figurines, ceramic souvenirs and much more.
Exhibits were brought from all over the world; over the years of work, 4,500 copies were accumulated. Felines literally surround visitors: the museum occupies the first floor of a round water tower. The walls are painted with quotes about pets and the museum.
House of Angels
Address: st. Pogranichnaya, 12a Website: https://homeofangels.ru Ticket price: 200 rubles, 120 rubles. — children and pensioners, 50 rubles. - disabled people. Opening hours: daily from 11.00 to 19.00.
The House of Angels is another unusual museum in Zelenogradsk. Here you will find a collection of angels: jewelry with angels, objects decorated with angels, angelic attributes (wings, trumpets) and other angelic items.
Here you can take a photo against the backdrop of large white wings. Angel lovers and children will like it. Located next to St. Adalbert's Church. Angel donors receive free admission to the museum.
Attractions in the vicinity of Zelenogradsk
Zelenogradsk is one of the most popular balneological resorts. The nature of the city and its surroundings is varied and rich.
Zelenograd beaches
- Coordinates on the map: 54.965536, 20.487249.
The main attraction of seaside resorts is their beaches. The length of the beaches in Zelenogradsk is several kilometers. The Amber coast is covered with light sand and small pebbles. During the warm season, the beaches are full of vacationers. Resort guests swim in the sea, sunbathe on comfortable sun loungers, play beach volleyball and engage in water sports. In Zelenogradsk there are opportunities for surfing, windsurfing and kitesurfing. Tourists with children should be careful, as nudists sometimes gather in one of the secluded places on the coast.
Curonian Spit
- GPS coordinates: 55.141223, 20.796987.
Zelenogradsk is located on the border of the Baltic Sea and the Curonian Lagoon, whose waters are shared by a real miracle of nature - a sand spit with a magnificent nature reserve. Almost 100 km of land are divided between Russia and Lithuania. The beaches of Zelenogradsk smoothly flow into the sand dunes of the spit and lead to an amazing world of flora and fauna.
About a thousand species of trees, shrubs and lichens create a unique landscape. The green thickets of the park are home to many animals and birds.
The main attraction of the reserve is the pine forest planted during the Soviet years. For an inexplicable reason, the trees here have grown crooked, the trunks of the pine trees are bent in the most incredible way. Due to its strange curves, the planting received the name “Dancing Forest”. Domestic scientists have repeatedly studied the anomaly, but have been unable to find an explanation for it.
Queen Louise Square
- Address: corner of Lenin and Turgenev streets.
The blooming square was built in 2010. It was named after the Prussian queen, grandmother of the Russian Emperor Alexander II. It is believed that one of the trees growing here was planted by the ruler’s son, Wilhelm, in the mid-19th century. At the entrance, guests are greeted by wrought iron gates. The square is decorated with a small bronze bust of the queen on a high white pedestal in the form of an antique column. Initially, the monument was intended for the pump room of the same name. The bust is an exact copy of the work of Rauch, a German sculptor. The original is kept in the National Gallery in Berlin.
Fringilla
- Address: Curonian Spit, Zelenograd district.
A migratory bird observation station has been established on the Curonian Spit. Among the pine trees there is a small house where they conduct research on captured birds. Fringilla welcomes guests from April to October. The station got its name from the Latin name for the chaffinch.
A professional ornithologist conducts a visual master class especially for excursionists. Right in front of adults and children, the scientist catches the bird, weighs it, measures it, rings it and releases it. After a tour of the place, you can buy souvenirs in a local shop.
Briefly about resort weather
On the shores of the Baltic Sea there is a temperate climate, maritime mixed with continental. For tourists, here is some brief information about the weather, it will help you figure out what clothes to take on your trip:
- Winter is mild, there is little snow, frosts down to −3°C;
- Summer is warm, rainy with thunderstorms, the average temperature is +20°C.
On a note! In summer it is comfortable, sometimes even hot. The swimming season opens, because the water in the sea warms up to +23 degrees. During this period, it is easy to combine a beach holiday with visiting the main attractions of Zelenogradsk.
A review from Muscovite Vlada K. Snegireva from St. Petersburg will add color to the palette:
“I didn’t know that there was such a wonderful resort not far from the Curonian Spit. A 5-day vacation in August provided an opportunity to get acquainted with the history and golden sandy beaches of Zelenogradsk. We were impressed by the famous “frying pans” - beach lagoons surrounded by greenery and the Zelenogradsky promenade with long bicycle paths. There are a lot of emotions from a short vacation, I definitely recommend visiting this cozy place at least once in your life.”
First of all, visit the boardwalk.
Museum Zelenogradsk
Museums and private collections in Zelenogradsk are some of the most extraordinary not only in Russia, but throughout the world.
Zelenograd Museum of Local Lore
- Address: st. Lenina, 6.
Thanks to the central museum of the city, you can trace the entire history of the region from ancient settlements to the present day. The exhibits are distributed by era. Kranz's history is full of events, which are reflected in five main exhibitions.
The first exhibition tells about archaeological finds on the territory of the ancient settlement. The next collection tells about the Middle Ages, when the Teutonic Order, known from the Crusades, dominated the old Kranz. The third hall is dedicated to new times, the era of industrialization. The fourth exhibition shows the life of the city during the Great Patriotic War. The latest exhibition illustrates the Soviet years.
The meeting is housed in the beautiful red brick mansion of lawyer Marx Krell. In addition to exhibitions, there is a souvenir shop on the territory of this attraction of Zelenogradsk, and master classes are regularly held.
Museum of Skulls and Skeletons
- Address: Saratovskaya st., 2A.
This amazing museum stores drawings and three-dimensional models of skeletons from all over the world. One of the curious sculptures - a metal skeleton with a cylinder on its skull and a tablet in its bony hands - greets guests at the entrance. The exhibits were collected by enthusiasts, usually doctors.
The main goal of the exhibition was to show how different cultures and subcultures depict human bones. Most of the collection consists of funny figures and sculptures.
The creators sought to present their exhibition in a positive way, but impressionable people should refrain from visiting the museum. The unique exhibition will appeal to lovers of thrills and dark humor.
"House of Angels"
- Address: Pogranichnaya st., 12A.
This museum is a private collection that contains all kinds of images of angels. The meeting is located in a small two-story house near the Transfiguration Cathedral. Among the thousands of exhibits you can find both strict religious and funny images, figurines of angels. Angels with celebrity faces are interesting. Many visitors take pictures against the backdrop of snow-white angel wings. Anyone can add to the museum’s collection; a new exhibit will cost the entrance fee.
Museum of the Inquisition
- Address: Nekrasovo village, Central street.
The main rival of the Skeleton Museum in the fight for the title of the creepiest museum. Its location creates a special atmosphere: the torture chamber is located in the gloomy basement of the medieval Schaaken castle. The brick vaults are dimly lit, instruments of torture lie and stand everywhere. Tour groups are greeted by a stern man in a black robe, his face hidden by a black mask with slits for the eyes.
Museum of Owls and Eagle Owls
- Address: st. Turgeneva, 9V.
The original PhiloSovia Museum has collected a rich collection of nocturnal predators. Among the three thousand exhibits are owl images, stuffed animals and sculptures made of wood and ceramics. The private exhibition opened to the public in 2021 in Feodosia , but two years later moved to the shores of the Baltic Sea and entered the museum complex. Recently, a small zoo was opened at the museum, which is home to several species of owls and eagle owls, as well as a lesser spotted eagle named Rogdan. For a fee, visitors can take photos with birds.
Museum of Russian Superstitions
- Address: pos. Forest.
Another small museum is located in the village of Lesnoy. Several rooms contain dozens of wooden figurines, embodiments of Russian signs and superstitions, as well as characters from Slavic myths: kikimoras, goblins, brownies. All exhibits were carved by the author and owner of the museum, Semenov M.A.
Murarium Cat Museum
Address: st. Saratovskaya, 2A. Website: https://murarium.ru. Opening hours: daily from 11 to 19 hours. Ticket price: 280 rubles, children and pensioners - 230 rubles.
On the territory of the former water tower there is a cat museum. Its exhibition includes a private art collection of the cat family. There are about 4,500 exhibits made from different materials: wool, wood, metal, glass.
Spectators can see cats from Japan, Egypt, and Polynesia. Animals are presented not only in the form of figurines, they are depicted on badges, paintings, souvenirs, and chocolate bars. There is nothing like it anywhere else in the country.
Architectural delights of Zelenogradsk
Most of the city's ancient buildings were built in a characteristic German style and are very different from modern Russian buildings. The architecture of Kranz was almost not damaged during the war, so many monuments have reached us in their original form.
Schaaken Castle
- Address: s. Nekrasovo.
The ancient castle was built in the 13th century on the territory of the modern village of Nesterovo, in the Zelenogradsky district of the Kaliningrad region. The walls of the stronghold have survived the change of eras and have seen many historical events. By the 21st century, most of the medieval castle had fallen into ruins. The building has neither a roof nor interior spaces other than the basement. High battlements give an idea of the former grandeur of the structure.
Several years ago, thanks to a group of enthusiasts, the castle again became attractive to tourists. Now, in the preserved rooms and nearby buildings, several museum exhibitions and a small eatery, stylized as a medieval tavern, have opened. Inside the tavern, animal skins are spread and hung everywhere, and a fire is constantly burning in a real fireplace. In the armory you can see many ancient guns, helmets, chain mail, and even try on knightly armor.
Kranz Post Office
- Address: Kurortny pr., 29.
The post office building has remained unchanged. The two-story structure, made of bright red brick, served as both a post office and a home for the postmaster. On one of the walls hangs a bas-relief with a three-dimensional map of Zelenogradsk, where the main attractions of the city are marked.
Administration
- Address: Alley of Friendship.
The Kranz administration building, where the burgomaster met, was built at the beginning of the 20th century. The neat brick structure is covered with a tiled roof and small turrets. Before the war, the administration issued temporary registration to vacationers. Within three days, holidaymakers were required to provide their information and pay a fee for the document. Today the building houses a mineral water factory.
Kurhaus
- Address: Kurortny Avenue, 16.
Kranz's oldest hotel was founded in the mid-19th century and is a symmetrical building four floors high. The white walls are trimmed with brown beams, the red roof is crowned with rectangular turrets with sharp spiers.
Under the rule of the Communist Party, the equipped Prussian hotel turned into a health resort. After the collapse of the USSR, the building passed into private hands. At the moment, the Kurhaus Kranz is one of the most striking hotels in Zelenogradsk.
Hotel "East Prussia"
- Address: Pogranichnaya street, 1.
Over its long history, the building has changed several names and has been a hotel, a military hospital and a clinic. The architectural monument has an unusual structure; the ledges with windows below are decorated with stucco.
Baltic Sea Hotel
- Address: Lenin street, 1.
The once popular hotel opened at the end of the 19th century. In 1901, the famous Russian reformer P.A. stayed with his family there. Stolypin. In honor of this event, a bas-relief depicting the politician appeared on the facade. Under the memorial plaque hangs a granite tablet with a saying of Pyotr Arkadyevich. Today, the building of the former hotel is occupied by four municipal institutions, including the District Archives and the City Library.
Zelenograd temples and churches
All religious buildings in Zelenogradsk belong to the Russian Orthodox Church, but their appearance may initially puzzle tourists. Both city churches previously belonged to other Christian denominations and were built in an unusual style.
Temple ap. Andrew the First-Called
- Address: Moskovskaya st., 13A.
Chapel of St. Andrew's was built at the beginning of the 20th century. The neo-Gothic building belonged to the Roman Catholic Church. When Kranz became Soviet Zelenogradsk, all religious communities of the city were persecuted. The chapel was converted into a warehouse and was damaged by fire twice. At the end of the 90s. the building was transferred to the Russian Orthodox Church and re-consecrated in honor of the same saint, but in Orthodox traditions. Today the temple has been completely restored; a particle of the relics of the Apostle Andrew is kept inside.
Cathedral of the Transfiguration of the Lord
- Address: Moskovskaya st., 40A.
Church of St. Adalberta was built by Lutherans in 1897. The Gothic church was decorated with a high tower, and a pastor’s house stood nearby. The Soviet government took away the magnificent building, and the spacious premises were used as a warehouse. During the Great Patriotic War, three bells were melted down into guns for the front.
During the years of Russification, Orthodoxy spread in the region, the percentage of Lutherans was small, so the religious building was transferred to the Orthodox Church. The temple was restored and consecrated in honor of the Feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord. From the outside, only the Orthodox cross on the spire of the bell tower reveals that it belongs to the church.
Temple of Panteleimon the Healer
- Address: Lesnoy village.
A few kilometers from Zelenogradsk, on the shores of the Curonian Lagoon, there is the small village of Lesnoy. A hundred years ago the settlement was a fishing village. The main decoration of Lesnoy is the new Church of the Great Martyr. Panteleimon. The single-domed temple has an unusual octagonal shape and a modest interior. Inside there is a two-tier iconostasis, several candlesticks, icons and lecterns. The church was erected at the beginning of the 21st century in memory of the drowned fishermen, and the names of the dead are remembered at every service.
Monuments and sculptures of Zelenogradsk
Zelenogradsk is full of various monuments. Among the monuments you can find both tragic memorials and humorous sculptures.
Monument to Zelenograd cats
- Address: Pogranichnaya Street.
A funny composition appeared on the streets of Zelenogradsk in 2014 - thanks to the cat museum. In the window opening with the window slightly open there is a bronze cat, under it there is a movable pedestal with an image of a flounder. A bow is tied around the pet's neck, and sometimes a colorful cap and a bright bandage are put on the furry animal. The sculpture can be rotated, so your pet can see everything around it.
Monument to A. Mickiewicz
- Address: st. Volodarsky.
Adam Mickiewicz became famous not only as a writer, but also as a figure in the national movement. In 1824 he spent several autumn days in Kranz. And although Pushkin’s friend visited the city only once and only while passing through, Zelenograd residents decided to perpetuate the memory of his visit. A stone monument to the Polish poet was erected at the entrance to the city park. Opposite the monument there is a white bench with an excerpt from a poem by Adam Mickiewicz.
Memorial Complex
- Address: st. Moscow.
During the terrible years of the Great Patriotic War, Kranz became one of the many cities liberated by Soviet troops. Hundreds of soldiers died in battles for the town and found eternal peace in Prussian soil. Five years after the Victory, a monument was erected at the mass grave with the names of the fallen soldiers.
The figure of a soldier rises on a high pedestal; he holds a machine gun with one hand and a helmet in the other. The man lowered his head, sorrow on his stern face, as if he had stopped to honor the memory of his fallen comrades. Every year flowers and wreaths are laid at the foot of the pedestal.
border post
- Address: Pogranichnaya Street.
The Kaliningrad region is the only region of Russia surrounded on all sides by other countries. All borders of the region are state. It is not surprising that citizens pay special attention to the border service. One of the real border pillars has become a monument to all guardians of Russian borders. Relatively recently, the monument was moved from the Russian-Lithuanian border, where it “served” for decades.
Little Mermaids
- Address: Zelenograd embankment.
The fabulous sculpture looks great on the sea coast. Two beautiful mermaids with long green tails sat down on an underwater rock, one towering above the other. Long hair falls over her shoulders, and she holds large shells in her hands. The little mermaid shows her friend her shell, as if she had found a precious pearl in it. Many tourists take photographs in the company of mythical beauties.
Sculptures of children
- Address: Promenade.
Between the Promenade and the city there are several unusual children's figures. Bronze sculptures depict cheerful boys and girls engaged in ordinary summer games. Some children swing on swings, others release pigeons into the sky. A little further away, teenagers are spraying water from hoses. All compositions show a carefree childhood, causing pleasant nostalgia among passers-by.
Where to go with children in Zelenogradsk. Entertainment
By and large, a child will be interested in almost every museum in Zelenogradsk, with the exception of the exhibition of skeletons and the Inquisition. But still, we decided to highlight several special places where tourists bring their children.
City Park
- Address: st. Moscow.
Located next to the Promenade, on the seashore, and decorated with Tortilina Pond, a number of hotels and cafes, the Park of Culture and Leisure in Zelenogradsk has always attracted the attention of family travelers. It is located in a picturesque corner of the town and represents the beginning of the Curonian Spit.
Numerous visitors are attracted primarily by the plantings - here, like the Botanical Garden, you can see a lot of unique representatives of the flora. Birds sing in the trees, adding to the harmonious atmosphere. And for children, several playgrounds, various attractions and other entertainment have been prepared.
Tortilin Pond
- Address: City Park.
The cool pond with a fountain is located in the city park and attracts many tourists on hot summer days. The pond is named after the wise and kind turtle from the fairy tale about Pinocchio. In the middle of the pond there is a path made of large wooden circles.
Adults and children can walk along the unusual bridge, as if across water lilies, watching fish and water lilies.
To cross to the other side, you can choose a stone bridge with the romantic name “Bridge of Sighs”. The beauty of the arched bridge is complemented by stone balustrades and wrought iron railings. At night, the road is illuminated by two street lamps.
City Center for Culture and Art
- Address: Resort Avenue, 11.
The only place in Zelenogradsk where you can watch a movie is the Center for Culture and Art, where, in addition to films, they sometimes show various public entertainments, organize concerts and theatrical performances. Reviews confirm that the staff of the establishment is very hospitable, the prices here are more than affordable, but, unfortunately, the condition of the appearance of the attraction, its façade and surroundings is not monitored enough.
Here are reviews of other cities in the Kaliningrad region - Chernyakhovsk, Yantarny, Sovetsk, Svetlogorsk, Gusev, Gvardeysk, Pravdinsk, Neman, Kaliningrad and Baltiysk
Zelenogradsk-Krants has been developing as a resort town for almost two hundred years. Thanks to the efforts of caring people, everything necessary for a complete and versatile holiday has appeared here. Having once visited Zelenogradsk, having looked at its multifaceted attractions for yourself, it is impossible to forget the hospitality and amber beauty of the city.
Question answer
How to get to Zelenogradsk?
From Kaliningrad you can take the train from the Northern Station or by bus from the Southern Station (routes No. 114, 140, 141, 142). You can take bus No. 587 from Baltiysk via Svetlogorsk. And from Zelenogradsk itself on No. 593 - to Morskoye.
In what year was Kranz renamed Zelenogradsk?
In 1946, after the end of the war. In total, the history of Zelenogradsk goes back more than seven centuries. Of these, the city has been developing as a resort for about 200 years.
