The resort Svetlogorsk enchants travelers with cozy green parks, the beauty of the Baltic Sea, which can be viewed from the cable car, preserved German villas of the XIX-XX centuries and original sculptures. You can start a walk around the city from the promenade along the sea, along the landscaped embankment, on which the figures of Ondine, Nymph and the famous Sundial from the Guinness Book of Records are installed.
Some of the attractions are located a couple of kilometers from Svetlogorsk - the village of Otradnoye. In this small area are the Kurhaus, the Georgenswalde Water Tower, the Amber Period Park, the Varniken Forest, the Hermann Brachert House Museum and the Water Carrier sculpture. It is worth visiting the most picturesque and famous landmark of the Kaliningrad region - the Curonian Spit, located just 30 km from Svetlogorsk.
The most interesting and beautiful places
List, photos with names and descriptions of the best sights of Svetlogorsk. He will help you plan routes and choose excursions to explore the top places of the city and its environs in 2-3 days.
National Park "Curonian Spit"
One of the main natural attractions of the region is located 30 km from Svetlogorsk. A long sandy spit 48 km long and 300 to 3400 meters wide is washed by the waters of the Baltic Salt Sea and the Curonian Lagoon. UNESCO has taken the spit under its protection because of the unique biological landscape. Sand dunes are in harmony with swamps, dense forests with beaches, among the flora and fauna there are many endangered species.
Water tower
One of the unofficial architectural symbols of the city. The tower was built from 1900 to 1908. The original tower was designed by the architect Otto Walter Kukkuk. The tower is 25 meters high and was built in the style of national romanticism. Several decades ago, the tower served as a town hall. Its unusual view now attracts many tourists; its observation deck offers a beautiful view of the buildings around.
City embankment
The cozy coastline is 1.6 km long. In previous years, the embankment was often washed away and in 2019 the old promenade was finally destroyed by a storm. The new comfortable embankment is separated from the water by a monolithic concrete wall. One of the unusual areas of the embankment is the Sundial with the zodiacal constellations on the dial. Another decoration of the coastal zone is the bronze sculpture "Nymph" made in 1938.
Central square
Located between Lenin and Kurortnaya streets. This is a favorite place for entertainment, walks and recreation among residents and guests of the city. On a small square, there are many cafes and souvenir shops in buildings stylized as German architecture. Interesting is the love bench with a back in the shape of hearts, the model of the island of Kant located in Kaliningrad, a decorative fountain into which tourists throw coins.
Variety Theater "Yantar Hall"
Concert complex on the shores of the Baltic Sea. The modern building blends harmoniously with the surrounding natural landscape. The auditorium has a capacity of 2000 seats. The multifunctional complex includes a cinema, a conference hall, an entertainment area, restaurants, as well as a branch of the Museum of the World Ocean. The theater hosts performances of pop stars, KVN teams and comedy shows, performances.
Organ hall of the company "Makarov"
Opened in 1995 on the initiative of pianist and composer Andrey Makarov. The concert hall is located on the shores of the Baltic Sea, surrounded by tall pine trees. The hall was built in the traditional German style with elements of half-timbered architecture. Previously, a Catholic chapel was located on this site; it was its image that was taken as the basis for the construction of the organ hall. The organ in the hall has 24 registers, 1 manual and a pedal.
Lake Tikhoe
The shallow lake appeared in the 13th century thanks to the knights of the Teutonic Order. They put a dam on the stream, giving the lake the name Melnichnoe. Now it is a quiet and peaceful place for outdoor recreation. There is a boat and catamaran rental service, a bicycle path is laid on the embankment. There are trampolines for the entertainment of children; in the rope park there are routes for both children and adults.
Cable car
The cable car, renovated in 2010-2014, connects the central Lenin Street, located on a hill, with the beach. Each cabin of the cable car is designed for two people, there are 19 cabins in total. The length of the cable car is short - only 118 meters, the ride on it will take 5 minutes. But this is quite enough to appreciate the beautiful views of the Baltic Sea, the embankment with sculptures installed on it.
Sundial "Zodiac"
The work of the sculptor Nikolai Frolov has been decorating the embankment since 1974. The watch, which is 10 meters in diameter, is included in the Guinness Book of Records for the accuracy of the time display and the originality of the composition. The smalt mosaic depicts the seasons and symbols of the 12 zodiacal constellations on the dial of the clock. It took 9 tons of smalt to apply the mosaic - this bright material was previously used to decorate ancient temples.
450 year old linden tree
A unique wildlife sanctuary on the shore of Lake Tikhoe. The height of the tree is 16 meters. The diameter of the linden is 8 meters. For its age and size, the centuries-old linden tree is included in the Guinness Book of Records. There is a belief among local residents - if you hug a long-lived linden and touch it with your face, whispering a cherished wish, then it will certainly come true. A necessary condition for the person making a wish to be alone.
Mineral water pump room
The beneficial properties of the mineral springs of Svetlogorsk have long been proven and are used in medicine. In order to improve your health, it is not necessary to live in a medical institution - a drinking pump room with free access is located on Lenin Street, in the very center of the city near a military sanatorium. It was built over a well with a depth of 330 meters. Water is supplied from several taps to choose from - warm or cold.
Architectural landmarks of Svetlogorsk
The architecture of Svetlogorsk is the main calling card of the resort. There are many houses built in the early twentieth century. It is worth taking the time to just walk along the old streets, looking at interesting houses.
German villas of the XIX-XX centuries
There are many houses in Svetlogorsk that have survived from the times of German construction. The buildings with Art Nouveau and Gothic Revival elements highlight the natural beauty of the seaside. Beautiful houses are located on the streets of Gagarina, Oktyabrskaya and Baltiyskaya. This quarter was not badly damaged during the Second World War, so German villas of the XIX-XX centuries have retained their original architectural appearance.
Kurhaus Rauschen
Spa house in Art Nouveau style, built in 1901. At the beginning of the 20th century, it was the center of the cultural resort life. In 1929, the writer Thomas Mann rested there. Kurhaus is located on Oktyabrskaya Street. The restored buildings of the hotel have the status of a historical monument. One of the buildings now houses a guest house, the other houses an entertainment and restaurant complex.
Kurhaus Georgenswalde
Located in one of the districts of Svetlogorsk - the village of Otradnoye. Built in 1913 by the famous architect Otto Walter Kukkuk. It is a symmetrical two-story building, somewhat reminiscent of a palace. Its external expressiveness is due to its versatility - the Kurhaus housed not only guest rooms, but also a billiard room, a restaurant, a reading room, a hall for special events and balls.
Hunting lodge
Located on the territory of a private boarding house on Lenin Street.Built in 1926 by the German architect Hugo Goering. In its appearance, traits of medieval architecture can be traced - neo-romanticism and northern Art Nouveau. The exterior is decorated with wooden décor. The unusual appearance of the building attracts filmmakers - several scenes of the feature films "Astrologer's House" and "Little Red Riding Hood" were filmed there.
The building of the hotel "Old Doctor"
It was built in 1910-1912 and was used for a long time as a boarding house for hospital workers. Now it is a hotel for all comers and a cultural heritage site. Located on Gagarin Street. It stands out from other buildings with light wall cladding and contrasting red brickwork. The hotel is surrounded by a low spruce hedge. A monument to academician Pavlov is located near the hotel building.
The building of the hotel "Hartman"
The history of the hotel dates back to 1910, when a German entrepreneur built a holiday mansion on the Baltic Sea coast. Not far from the hotel is the Water Tower. In Soviet times, the hotel belonged to the sanatorium system of the Ministry of Health, and since 2015 it has been a private institution, but still receives guests in accordance with European traditions of hospitality and comfort.
Georgenswalde water tower
It is located in the village of Otradnoye, which previously bore the German name of Georgenswalde. The water tower was built during the active expansion of the village at the beginning of the 20th century. Hot water was supplied to the tower from a well of a thermal spring. The height of the tower is 41 meters, at its top there is a closed observation deck. The square tower was built of red brick according to the project of the architect K. Fischer.
The best beaches in Svetlogorsk and its surroundings
The sea in Svetlogorsk is not the calmest. But there are still beaches in the resort, and they are quite popular and visited during the summer season.
Central city beach
Located near the pedestrian area of the embankment. Due to frequent storms, it is poorly equipped; at present, a large-scale reconstruction of the beach area is expected with the expansion of the sandy area and protection from the stormy waves of the Baltic Sea. A narrow stretch of beach abuts against a steep bank. There are many large boulders at the far end of the beach. You can get here by the equipped stairs from the railway station.
Cable car beach
Covered with clean and pleasant to the touch grainy yellow sand. The bottom is also sandy, but there are large stones at the depth. There is the necessary beach infrastructure - sun loungers, umbrellas, a point of sale of food and drinks, changing rooms, a point with lifeguards. The entrance to the water is shallow. To get to the beach from Svetlogorsk, located on a hill, you can either take a cable car for a small fee or take a long staircase.
Filinskaya Bay beach
Located about 10 km from Svetlogorsk, in one of the most beautiful places in the region, offering a wonderful view of Cape Taran with a lighthouse. The sandy and pebble strip of the beach is about a kilometer long and 35 meters wide. The sand in Filinskaya Bay has an unusual color - amber-red, large boulders on the coastline add to the picturesque landscape. There are several sun loungers and parasols on the beach.
Gardens and parks of Svetlogorsk
Quiet and beautiful gardens and parks of Svetlogorsk, with cozy walkways and benches for relaxation away from the city noise.
Amber Period Park
Located 2 km from Svetlogorsk in the village of Otradnoye. This is an open-air entertainment center for the whole family. The area of the park is 2 hectares. It has several themed areas and a zoo. Dozens of wooden sculptures made in the same style are installed throughout the territory. There are attractions, amber products are sold in souvenir kiosks. Excursion programs and quests have been developed for the guests.
Larch park
A small park in the very center of the city near the Water Tower and the Central Square. Paths are laid among century-old trees, benches and lanterns are installed, cozy gazebos are equipped. There is a bicycle rental office. The park is decorated with a sculpture "Carrying water" and two sculptures of sphinxes at the entrance to the park. Concerts, festive events, children's parties are regularly held in the park.
Park of creativity "Muse"
The landscaped park is located in a forest belt on the shore of Lake Quiet. On the embankment there is a concert area in the form of an amphitheater; the embankment itself is lined with tiles. A playground is equipped with unusual musical instruments, play areas and art objects. Several beautiful sculptures have been installed - a violinist girl, a girl with an easel and a child with a book, dividing the park into zones of music, drawing and reading.
Varnikensky forest
A relict deciduous forest stretching around the Wolf Gorge near the village of Otradnoye. At the beginning of the XX century, the territory of the forest belt, cleared for walks of the townspeople, occupied about 2000 hectares. About 40 species of plants grow in the forest, some of which were brought from Japan and America. Most of the trees are maples, birch, alder, oak, beech, aspen. The trees planted over 100 years ago now have a diameter of several meters.
Churches and temples of Svetlogorsk
The most beautiful religious sites in the city.
Temple of Seraphim of Sarov
Previously it was known under the name "Rauschen's Church" and was part of the Evangelical Lutheran Church. The construction of the building was carried out from 1903 to 1907. Two architects worked on the project of the church - Kukkuk and Wichmann. The temple is made in the neo-Gothic style, mixed with Art Nouveau elements. The interior design was done by the architect Hugo Goering. He also made and donated a carved organ to a religious building.
Church "Joy of All Who Sorrow"
The chapel temple was built in 1994. It was erected in memory of the tragic event - the deaths of adults and children when a military plane fell on a kindergarten in 1972. The temple is located on Lenin Street. Residents of the city donated funds for the construction of the church. The small church is painted white. In its form, clear lines can be traced, the pointed bell tower looks expressive. Photos of the victims are posted inside.
Interesting museums in Svetlogorsk
The most popular museums that you should definitely visit.
Exhibition-Museum "Wheel of History"
In the museum, located on Gorky Street, visitors can learn about the history and modernity of the city. A lot of household and cultural items are exhibited, photos of Svetlogorsk from those times when it was called Rauschen. The exhibits tell about the life of the townspeople, their traditions and crafts. They show a film with a tour of Svetlogorsk. In the vintage shop at the museum, you can buy unusual souvenirs, handicrafts, postcards.
House-Museum of Hermann Brachert
The Memorial Museum is dedicated to the life and work of the German sculptor Brachert. It is located in a master's country cottage on the seashore in the village of Otradnoye. The museum is surrounded by a beautiful garden with apple, plum, birch and red beech trees. It contains the most famous works of the sculptor, as well as his personal belongings. In the halls of the museum, international exhibitions and creative evenings are often held.
Marine Exhibition Center
The branch of the Museum of the World Ocean is located within the walls of the Yantar Hall complex. It exhibits a unique collection "People of the Sea", which has an ethnographic direction. Among the exhibits of the center are objects of cult and everyday life of the tribes of New Guinea and the peoples of Southeast Asia - Vietnam, China, Indonesia, Thailand, Cambodia. The most interesting are sculptures of deities, ritual masks, ancient weapons and jewelry.
Monuments and sculptures of Svetlogorsk
Historical and modern monuments and sculptures of the city.
Sculpture "Carrying water"
The sculpture by Hermann Brachert is located in the Larch Forest in the center of a beautiful flower bed. Brachert made the sculpture in his suburban workshop in Otradnoye, where she was from 1933 to 1944.The sculpture was in the Larch Forest from 1945 to 2003, then it was returned back to Otradnoye, where the house-museum of the sculptor was opened. A copy of the marble sculpture by the Hermitage masters is now housed in the forest.
Sculpture "Nymph"
Installed on the embankment in a special niche in the form of a mosaic multi-colored shell. The smalt, from which the mosaic is made, shimmers in the sun in different colors, which is why the sculpture looks especially impressive on clear days. The sculpture of a nymph girl was made in 1938. Despite its age, it has survived well. 17-year-old Katya Tsygan became the model for making the bronze figure.
Sculpture "The Frog Princess"
Another unusual sculpture by the Soviet artist Oleg Melekhov. The Frog Princess is installed in a small park near the railway station and is the first original sculpture seen by tourists who came to Svetlogorsk by train. This is no coincidence, because the image of a frog that has thrown off its skin and transformed is a symbol of the revival of Svetlogorsk.
Sculpture "Undine"
The bronze mermaid figure is located on the embankment next to the serpentine descent. The unusual figure was created at the initiative of one of the hotels located nearby. The graceful figure of the undine, as if emerging from the depths of the sea, attracts the attention of tourists, who are sure to take a photo with her. The mermaid is shown in motion, throwing back her wet hair in a charming and natural gust.
Monument to Ivan Pavlov
Located on the territory of the rest house on Gagarina street. The Nobel Prize winner is depicted sitting on a chair and looking into the distance. The sculpture is made of gray stone and is installed on a small pedestal. If you wish, you can come close to the sculpture and take a photo with it. On excursions, the guides tell the legend that initially the monument depicted the German doctor Koch, and the Soviet leadership simply changed the plates.
Layout of medieval Koenigsberg
Located in the open air on Gorky Street. It presents the appearance of the city at the beginning of the 16th century on a scale of 1: 120. The basis of the layout is the Konigsberg castle and three cities that were located around it during the knightly period - Lebenicht, Kneiphof, Altstadt. The landscape of the area is also reproduced. In total, about 500 buildings are depicted. In addition to the Königsberg Castle, you can see the Cathedral, town halls, residential buildings and bridges.
Memorial sign to Thomas Mann
Installed on Oktyabrskaya Street in 2003 in honor of a visit to the city by the writer and Nobel laureate in 1929. The memorial sign was made by sculptors Oleg Salnikov and Lyudmila Bogatova. It is a large granite boulder with a bronze open book on it. Mann's portrait is engraved on one page, on the other a quote from his work in Russian and German.
Sculpture "Fisherman Rauschen"
Installed in an unusual place - in the corner of one of the houses on Gagarin Street at the beginning of the 20th century. For the installation of the monument, a niche was specially equipped, lined with marble tiles, the bottom of which is decorated as a small pedestal. The fisherman is depicted standing in the boat. In his hand he holds a fishing tackle, his gaze is fixed on the sky. The toiler of the sea is dressed in simple clothes, on his head is a wide-brimmed hat that protects from the rays of the sun.
Kneiphof Island model
Most often it is called the model of the island of Kant - after the name of the famous German philosopher. The island itself is located in the center of Kaliningrad, and its layout attracts tourists from Svetlogorsk with its accuracy and original view. It is located on Lenin Street near Central Square. On the sidewalk, behind a low fence, there are smaller copies of German architecture houses that were on the island before the destruction.
Memorial complex at the mass grave of Soviet soldiers
Located at the intersection of Kaliningradsky Prospekt and Zarechny Proezd. The complex was founded in 1984 on a mass grave where more than 70 soldiers of the Soviet army who died in early 1945 during fierce battles with the fascist army are buried. The memorial complex was designed by architects Popov and Osipov. A touching sculpture "Woman with a wreath" is located across the street from the complex.
