Sovetsk (Kaliningrad region): sights of the city

The city of Sovietsk in the Kaliningrad region, which until 1946 was called Tilsit, is now experiencing hard times. This is due to the closure of many enterprises, educational institutions and even some departments in the hospital.

However, there is in this city, which, after joining the Russian Federation, was renamed Sovetsk (Kaliningrad Region), the sights are old.

The city was founded on the merger of two rivers - Tylje and Neman. Nowadays it is connected by a car-pedestrian bridge with the Lithuanian town of Panyamune. It is noteworthy that the latter is the smallest city in its country, and Sovietsk is the second largest in the region after Kaliningrad.

Queen's Bridge

On the bridge, connecting the two different countries, is the customs. By the way, this building is one of the sights of the city. It is called the Bridge of Queen Louise (Sovetsk). Princess Mecklenburg-Strelitzky was the wife of the King of Prussia, Frederick William III.

Her genealogical tree is closely connected with the Romanovs' house, as Louise is the grandmother of the Russian Emperor Alexander II. She was the object of adoration in her circle, her manners were not stiff, the lady was sweet in communication, which increased the number of admirers of the beautiful Louise. Her name is associated with the rise of Prussia and the formation of Germany. The king and queen of Prussia have earned themselves national respect, sharing with their people various holidays, easily communicating with the subjects in the streets of the capital. When Napoleon's troops began to seize the countries of Europe, the king and queen of Prussia had to flee. It was in Tilsit that Queen Luisa and the French Emperor met. Although the Tilsit peace treaty was very painful for Prussia, Napoleon spoke highly of the beauty and mind of Queen Louise.

Description of the bridge

In its architecture, Queen Louise's Bridge (Sovetsk) is an arch. Its construction began in 1904, and ended in three years. Its opening was timed to the centenary of the peace of Tilsit.

The bridge on the sides has two beautiful turrets, and the southern portal was decorated with a bas-relief depicting Queen Louise. At the top of the arch stood six beautiful vases. Unfortunately, up to now only two have survived. In Tilsit, a monument to the Prussian Queen was also erected, which was restored in Sovetsk.

Castle

In the city there is an ancient castle Tilsit, which was founded at the very beginning of the XV century. In 1404, the Master of the Teutonic Order, Conrad von Jungingen, ordered the construction here of a fortress to protect the Teutonic lands from Litvin raids. Literally a year after the final completion of the construction, the castle was attacked and destroyed. But it was rebuilt very quickly. During the following centuries the castle was constantly being built and strengthened.

Especially powerful bastions of the fortress were erected in the middle of the XVII century. But in a century the castle gradually lost its strategic importance and was bought by the traders of Tilsit. First, the casino was located in the fortress, then the Masonic lodge "Irena" and, finally, the city court. A few decades later, a wooden warehouse was built in the castle, then the building became a place for steam mills and mills. In the middle of the XIX century, a machine-building factory was built here, and in thirty years - a paper mill. In 1876, a fire broke out in the castle, which severely damaged the building. The ruins of that formidable citadel were converted into a factory for the manufacture and burning of lime, and at the end of the last century the castle was completely abandoned. About six years ago, the mayor's office decided to assign the ruins of the castle the status of the object of cultural heritage. Under the condition of carrying out restoration work, the former fortress may well contribute to the increase in the number of tourists.

City Sovetsk. Monument to the tram

This monument is installed in the central square of the city. From 1901 to 1944, the city's mode of transport was a tram. There were four routes. But with the transfer of Tilsit to the Soviet Union, the city's leadership decided that road transport is much more efficient, and replaced the trams with buses. In 2012, a tram car was brought from St. Petersburg. After which it was installed directly on the rails. So there was a tram-monument (Sovetsk). Inside this unusual car, photo exhibitions are arranged. Near the tram there is a lamppost. Signed by him are street signs in Russian and German.

What is worth seeing for those who are studying Sovetsk (Kaliningrad Region)? Attractions, of course. In Sovetsk, the houses and streets are already them. Old buildings under red tiles, streets paved with paving stones, carry the traveler if not in the Middle Ages, then a hundred or two hundred years ago.

Theater

What should I look for tourists who are interested in Sovetsk (Kaliningrad region)? Sights. There are not many of them in the city, but they are there. Now let's talk about one of them.

For seven years before the end of the XIX century a theater was built in the city. It was named in honor of the city - "Tilsit Theater". The first production was Goethe's play "Egmont". At the end of the last century, the theater of the young spectator was opened in the building. But the residents still call it "Tilsit theater".

Conclusion

Now you know what Sovetsk (Kaliningrad Region) is, the sights of this city we have considered. We hope that the information presented in this article will be useful to you.