CATHEDRAL AND KANT TOMB

Located on the island of Kneiphof, this Gothic red brick cathedral, dating from 1333, was the coronation place of the Prussian kings. Destroyed largely during the bombing of World War II, it was restored and recovered its clock and four bells in 1995, after more than fifty years of silence. In 1989, the cathedral was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. No information in English, only German speakers will find documentation. A visit to the museum inside the cathedral is of little interest, except for the 1613 plan of Königsberg. The cathedral at night, beautifully lit, is sublime.

On the northern outside of the cathedral, one can meditate for a moment on the tomb of the philosopher Immanuel Kant, who was born and lived in Königsberg. It is possible to take a half-hour boat trip around the island. Of course the tour is in Russian, but the advantage is the discovery of the port and the state of the Russian fleet.

Even today, the shadow of the philosopher still hangs over the city: he is one of the main factors of Kaliningrad's influence, but his figure is widely decried by nationalists. For them, highlighting him and thus the city's Germanic heritage amounts to "russophobia": it has to be either one or the other. Fortunately, the majority of Russian citizens in Kaliningrad have a strong appreciation of the German history of their city.