3) What was depicted on the emblem of Kenigsberg?
Kneiphoff
April 6, 1327 is regarded as the date of birth of Kneiphoff. Gradually it became the splendid gem of Kenigsberg. There was an old saving: 'There is power in Altstadt, luxury in Kneiphoff, mud (arable land) in Lebenicht1. No buildings remained on the island nowadays. After two dreadful nights at the end of August 1944 this majestic densely populated town was reduced to ashes. Everything perished apart except the ancient walls of the Cathedral and the memorial portico on the grave of Immanuel •Kant, 'The Great Son of the city'.
Answer the questions:
1) How many buildings did remain on the island nowadays?
The Cathedral
The Cathedral became a peculiar symbol of today's city. It was laid in 1333 and had been erected for about 50 years. The Great Magistrate Luter fon Braunschweig is reputed to be its founder, inside the Cathedral is his burial vault.
Near to 1380 its construction was on the whole completed. This masterpiece of Gothic architecture rests on numerous oak supports that pass through a huge layer of swamp soil to firm soil below. The Cathedral was 88 m in length, 30 m in height. The soaring 57-metre spire of southern tower overlooked the panorama of Kneiphoff. Its inner construction consisted of three-naves basilica with a high chorus. After the Reformation the Cathedral was used as the University Church where many unique pieces of art were kept
Its grounds contain the tombstones of Bishops, Great Magistrates of German Order and Prussian Dukes. The last Magistrate of the Order and the first Temporal Ruler of North-Eastern Prussia, the founder of Kenigsberg University, Markgrave fon Brandenburg-Ansbah, Duke Albrecht, was buried in the Duke burial place, the fragments of which have remained oh the eastern wall of the Cathedral. Adjacent to his tomb made of dark marble both of his wives — Duchess Dorothea and Anna Maria fon Braunschweig who passed away 16 hours after her husband — were buried alongside six of their children who died in early childhood.
There was a tomb of Count Wallenrodt who is reputed to be the founder of the famous library bearing his name. It occupied two western facades of the Cathedral and contained over 10,000 unique books.
During the World War II the Cathedral was badly damaged and after the fall of Kenigsberg it was left in ruins. There was an intention to pull it down, but the presence of Kant's tomb saved the monument for future-generations. The last shelter of the great philosopher — an austere memorial portico — was built by Friedrich Lars in 1924. Kant became the most famous thinker in Europe in his own lifetime. He was an extraordinary peculiar man. His working day lasted up to 15 hours (from 5 in the morning till 10 in the evening). He was very punctual. When Kenigsberg residents saw him walking they involuntarily checked their time. He lived to the age of 80 and died on February 12, 1804.
There is a monument to Julius Rupp, a rebellious Kenigsberg preacher, nearby. In 1844 he declared his renunciation of the church and shortly after he founded the first free evangelical community called 'The Friends of Light1. That was his grand daughter, the famous artist Kate Kolvitz, who made a bronze relief of him. She lived not far from the Cathedral in Linden-strasse. The present relief is not the original, its excellent copy was brought by her grand daughter Utah Bonke-Kolvitz and installed on June 22, 1991.
There were 7 bridges over the river Pregel in Kenigsberg. They are known as the classical seven. In 1736 the Kenigsberg University set the following task: is it possible to cross all the seven bridges without crossing one of them twice? The famous Swiss mathematician Leonhard Ailer proved that it could not be done.
Grune-brucke (or Green Bridge) was built over the Old Pregel near Hundegatt in 1322.
Kremer-brucke (or Shop Bridge) was built over the new Pregel in 1286, rebuilt in 1900. It was in its way a pair to Grune-brucke. Both bridges were demolished while erecting a new trestle bridge.
Kettel-brucke (or Entrails Bridge) was built up the stream just before Grune-brucke in 1377, rebuilt in 1886, destroyed in 1945. Shmiede-brucke (or Blacksmith's Bridge) was built over the New Pregel between Altstadt and Kneiphoff up the stream from Kremer-brucke in 1397, rebuilt in 1896, destroyed in 1945.
Holz-brucke (or Wooden Bridge) was built between Lebenicht and Lorase island in 1404, rebuilt in 1804, repaired in 1980-ies (the route of tram № 5).
Hoch-brucke (or Tall Bridge) was built in 1520, rebuilt a little upstream from its original position in 1882, restored after 1945 (the route of tram № 5 near the well-preserved Guard Tower).
Honig-brucke (or Honey Bridge) was built between Kneiphoff and Lomse island, rebuilt in 1882, restored after 1945.
Kaiser-brucke (or Imperial Bridge) was built in 1905, destroyed in 1945.
To the west of the trestle bridge on the site of the present sport complex 'Yunost' there was Lastadi am Hundegatt, a famous area of warehouses with high frontons. Most of them were constructed in the XVIII century and had their own names — 'Bear', 'Palm Tree1; 'Crazy'.
Answer the questions:
1) What happened during the World War II?
2) How many bridges were over the river Pregel in Kenigsberg?
Stock Exchange
There were never Stock Exchanges in Lebenicht and the last Exchange of Altstadt was destroyed in 1870. There were 4 Stock Exchanges in Kneiphoff. Since 1728 all trade operations of Kenigsberg had been held hier. The last, the 4th Stock Exchange of Kneiphoff was erected to a design by the Bremen architect Henrich Muller in 1875. Like the Cathedral it rests on piles which are of 12-18 metres in length (2202 in all).
It was built in Renaissance style. There were four groups of statues in each corner of its roof symbolizing the trade relations of Kenigsberg with four continents: Europe, Asia, Africa and America. The impressive staircase is adorned by the figures of two lions holding the shields with emblems of the city and its merchant community on them.
The Large Hall of the Stock Exchange is 35 meters long, 23 meters wide and 18 meters height. Apart from exchange operations it was used for balls and concerts. The Hall of Summer Stock Exchange facing the river once had a glass cover. Exhibitions and other public events were held there. On the eastern side there was an entrance to the gallery, offices and telegraph. In the basement there was a restaurant and a post-office. The building of Stock Exchange was restored in the middle of 70-ies.
Answer the questions:
1) In what style Stock Exchange was built?
Concert Hall
Before the World War II there were 26 Evangelical, 4 Catholic churches and a few chapels in Kenigsberg. Most of them were destroyed.
Near the Haberberg Church which was on the site of the present cinema 'Oktyabr' in the area of present-day Bagration and B. Khmelnitsky streets there were at least 4 churches. Only one of them has survived to date. This is the Catholic church of St Family built by Fritz Haitman in 1903. Nearby stands the former Hospital of St Katherine. Due to this neighborhood the Church was called Katherine-Kirche as well. During the war the church was damaged. In 1980 it was restored and now houses the Concert Hall of Kaliningrad Philharmonic Society. In 1982 a "Rigger-Kloss" organ was installed in the Concert Hall.
At the end of B. Khmelnitsky Street (former Oberhaberberg) there was a live stock market with the Lutheran Evangelic Church nearby. The church, damaged a little, stood there up to 1970-ies. Unfortunately no remnants of it have survived to date: it was blown up.
Answer the questions:
1) Why was the Church called Katherine-Kirche?
Friedland Gate
At the junction of former Austrian Street (Kalinin Avenue now) with Schonflisser-allee (Dzerzinsky Street now) magnificent Friedland Gate can be seen. The Gate was once adorned by two sculptures carved by Wilhelm Sturmer. On its inner side there was a figure of Great Komtur of the German Order Friedrich fon Zollern who was killed in the Grunwald Battle in 1410. Unfortunately it was lost. But another one still remains on the outer side of the Gate — a figure of Great Magistrate Zigfrid fon Foihtvangen who went down in history of the German Order mainly due to the fact that his residence was transferred from Venice to Marienburg in 1309.
Answer the questions:
1) What was the Gate adorned by?