Zakheim Gate: History and Description

The city of Koenigsberg, or Kaliningrad, is known as the "city of the eight gates." For several centuries its center was surrounded by new structures, not all of which have survived to this day. However, those that have survived attract tourists year-round. One of the most visited places in Kaliningrad is the Zakheim Gate. Read about them in the article.

All gates of Koenigsberg

In this city, which used to be a fortress in ancient times, tourists still come to see the samples of German architecture, listen to stories about how their history developed. Initially, Koenigsberg was surrounded by ten gates, but during the Second World War, some of them were destroyed. Only eight of them remained.

All of them are executed in different styles of German architecture. Now they are almost not used for their intended purpose. They are popular tourist places. In contrast to buildings built at other times, they attract people from all over the world.

What are the gates used for?

At different times they served for different purposes. Now almost all of them are places where you can spend time culturally. To the gates of Koenigsberg, or Kaliningrad, are:

• The Friedland Gate, in which the museum was organized in 2002. Here you can visit the exhibition of ancient objects found in the postwar period. There is also a museum of local lore where you can find information about how the way of life in old Kaliningrad was built.
• The Brandenburg Gate is still functioning according to its destination: a series of cars are passing through them, there are ways for trams. They are protected by the state, as they are an architectural monument.
• The Friedrichsburg gates are currently being restored. However, this does not interfere with the work of the World Ocean Museum branch located in them . Here you can learn the history of shipbuilding, see pictures and photographs dedicated to this industry. In addition, samples of boats produced in Russia are also in this museum.
• Rosgarten - one of the most beautiful of all surviving gates of Koenigsberg. Currently, they have a cafe. The casemates that surround the opening are used as an entrance and exit, a wardrobe, utility rooms and kitchen areas.
• The royal gates were not once rebuilt and destroyed. Once they worked in a bookshop, a cafe and even a warehouse, now they are a branch of the Museum of the World Ocean. Here are collected the most valuable samples of amber.
• In the Ausfal Gate there used to be a military center, an air-raid shelter, warehouses. Once there was a water reservoir. At the end of the twentieth century in honor of the dead soldiers was built the chapel of St. George. Now the chapel and the gate are part of the city's art and historical museum.
• The Zakheim Gate is widely used for carrying out all kinds of cultural events. As a rule, various conferences, concerts and exhibitions are often held here.
• The railway gates belong to the museum of history. They lead to the park, but soon on the squares there will be exhibits on the subject of war.

History

The Zakheim Gate is part of the first massive fortification of Kaliningrad, which was built at the beginning of the seventeenth century. The architectural project was created by Professor Strauss, who taught at the University of Königsberg. In the 1860s the structure was rebuilt according to the project, which was proposed by Ernst Ludwig von Aster. Before in 1848 they became as they can be seen now, they were wooden.

Until the end of the nineteenth century, it was possible to get into the city only through this gate, because it was here that there was a checkpoint.

Architecture

If you choose an analog, the Zakheim Gate is most like Friedrichsburg. They have a massive construction, they are heavy, strong and massive. They are even towers, decorated with windows of pointed form and high relief. They depicted the heroes of wars with Napoleon. Two portrait medallions made it possible to discern such military figures as Johann David Ludwig York and Friedrich Wilhelm Byulov. Unfortunately, at present there are no high reliefs on the gates.

On their outer side was previously the Black Eagle. Now it can not be seen in its original place, but people remember it. The fact is that it became one of the free symbols of the city under the name of Konigsberg, or Kaliningrad. The Zakheim Gate was the place where the sample of the highest Prussian award - the Order of the Black Eagle - was located. His motto was the words: "To each his own."

Layout

As for the layout of the structure, it can be called special. For example:

• The niches that are located between the loopholes resemble a Latin cross, which in another way is called the cross of the West, and also the cross of Life.
• At the entrance to the city there was an opening for a lifting bridge. Now the ditch, through which he led, looks like an overgrown ditch.

In addition, the presence of two portrait medallions with high reliefs and the Black Eagle makes the architecture of the gate special.

Appointment

Originally, the gates called Zakheim were to be part of the defensive system of the city. They were built strong and powerful in order to fulfill their function for many centuries. However, soon the shafts, which were also part of the first fortification of Koenigsberg, lost their function, so the gate began to be perceived as an analog of the triumphal arch.

The Zakheim Gate, whose history dates back several centuries, served for various purposes. After the Second World War died down, they were used as a warehouse space. So they served until the sixth year of the third millennium.

After that, their restoration began, then they were handed over from hand to hand. As a result, they were given control of the Kaliningrad Union of Photo Artists. It was from this time, that is, from 2013, there was created an art platform called "Gate".

Treasures

It is believed that one of the places in which there is a large number of treasures is the city of Kaliningrad. The Zakheim Gate, photos of which can be found in this article, once again confirm this point of view.

So, in the twentieth century, and if to call the exact date, then September 1, 1979, in the basement of this monument of architecture was found a valuable treasure. The box, which was unearthed here, contained unique samples of dishes made of lacy porcelain, crystal and minerals.

Excursions

People who live in Kaliningrad or decide to come to this city to get acquainted with its sights, must necessarily visit the Zakheim Gate. An excursion to this place will give tourists an opportunity to get to know the history and see examples of German architecture.

Once Kaliningrad was known as the greenest city in the country. To restore his former glory, people everywhere plant trees and create whole squares. One of them is located near this gate. In addition, there is a lake near the Zakheim Gate, which should also be visited, walking along the old Koenigsberg, or Kaliningrad.