Kaliningrad is a little piece of Russia that’s separated from the rest of the country by Poland and Lithuania, giving it a distinct identity rooted in European history.
One of the oldest and most important monuments still standing in Kaliningrad is the Königsberg Cathedral, retaining the city’s former name from when it was part of Germany. This 14th-century Gothic church also houses the tomb of Immanuel Kant, a famous philosopher who called the city home. Other significant structures from Kaliningrad’s past are seven remaining city gates, including the Brandenburg Gate, King's Gate and Rossgarten Gate. Paying homage to the city’s heritage is the Fishing Village – a riverside complex featuring hotels, restaurants and half-timbered houses built in the German architectural style.
Situated on the Baltic Sea, Kaliningrad offers several maritime attractions, including the Museum of the World Ocean, where you can discover ships, submarines and aquariums. The city is also home to most of the world’s amber reserves. Art, artefacts and jewellery made from the fossilised resin are proudly displayed at the Amber Museum, housed in a 19th-century fortress. History buffs should check out the Bunker Museum, built in the actual underground bomb shelter where the city’s commandant surrendered during the Second World War.