In the city center, on the island of Kant, in the Cathedral is one of the most famous attractions. Being in the city and not visiting it is a big mistake. We are talking about the Kant Museum in Kaliningrad. With the name of the German philosopher, who was born, lived and died in the former Koenigsberg, much is connected in these places. Having restored the buildings destroyed by the war, Kaliningraders managed to preserve the peculiarity and uniqueness of historical objects associated with this name.
In memory of Kant
The great Koenigsberg scientist, who created modern science, managed to “open the eyes” of the world, explaining how a person thinks. He proved to the entire scientific world that experience and reason play a unique and significant role in this process. Due to the fact that human consciousness is limited, he cannot absolutely accurately separate truth from fiction, and therefore science must be extremely critical of any information received. This isbecame the engine of many discoveries.
For philosophers, historians, thinking people of the planet, the name of Kant means a lot in the world of science, and for Kaliningraders, the great scientist has become a cult figure and a source of pride. There are two museums dedicated to the scientist in the city: on the island named after him and at the B altic University of Kaliningrad (formerly "Albertina"). Recently, another museum was opened in the village of Veselovka. The university bears the name of Kant, in front of which a monument to the scientist is erected. At the grave of the philosopher, near the wall of the Cathedral, fresh flowers lie.
Kant Island
During its history, the island on the Pregel River has changed its name, appearance and purpose several times. In 1327, he received the status of a city, becoming one of the three that formed Koenigsberg. Its location was very convenient for the development of trade, as there was both a water transport route and a land one. A feature of the island has always been the presence of several bridges connecting it with land.
Today there is a magnificent park, one of the most visited in the city. More than a thousand species of trees, shrubs and flowers are planted on its alleys.
Kanta Island Sculpture Park
Since 1984, a sculpture park has been located on the western side of the island. About thirty compositions, busts and monuments to great figures of science and art are installed here. The dominant feature of the island is the majestic building of the Cathedral, which, among other interesting objects, houses the Kant Museum in Kaliningrad.
Cathedral
It is known that the building of the local Lutheran church, as it was originally intended to be, was founded in 1333 and took 80 years to build. Before the Church Reformation, it was the main Catholic church in the city, and was also the Lutheran church of Prussia.
Heavily damaged by the bombings of 1945, it stood in ruins for a long time. Its restoration began in the late 90s of the last century.
The modern Cathedral is beautiful and majestic. The appearance of the building is inextricably linked with the city itself, as its photographs are often printed in booklets, guides, magazines, making it a hallmark of Kaliningrad. The restorers have preserved the B altic Gothic style of the building, which distinguishes it from other urban objects.
Today it is a multifunctional cultural center. There are two concert halls with organs, Orthodox and Evangelical chapels, as well as the Museum of Immanuel Kant and the Cathedral in Kaliningrad.
German Philosopher
The whole life of Immanuel Kant was spent in Koenigsberg. Here he was born into a poor family of an artisan, studied at the school at the hospital of St. George, graduated from the prestigious Friedrich-Collegium gymnasium, entered the university. The father taught the child to work life, and the mother, given the poor he alth of her son, tried to get him a good education.
At that time, the university had four faculties. It is not known which of them the future great philosopher entered, what science he preferred to study at that stage of his life path. But no onedisputes the fact that at the university one of Kant's teachers was Martin Knutzen, the man who awakened in his student an interest in philosophy. At this time, he undertook to write his first major work. But he had to take a break from his studies: his parents died, and he had to earn a living. He takes a break from studies for 10 years, becomes a home teacher, moves to Yudshen (Veselovka), where today another Kant house-museum in Kaliningrad has been opened.
Defending a dissertation, obtaining a doctoral degree and the right to teach at the university fall on 1755. In subsequent years, he wrote great philosophical works that made his name known throughout the world.
Cathedral Museum
An old spiral staircase leads visitors to the second floor of the Cathedral, from where the examination of the exposition dedicated to Koenigsberg begins. The exhibits tell about the history of the Kneiphof Island (Kant Island), the military coming of the Knights of the Teutonic Order, the creation of the Konigsberg fortress from three nearby cities. Models of Prussian housing, household items and, finally, a huge model of the city are made with high skill, professional artists work on them.
The fortifications of Koenigsberg were also carefully made, to which considerable attention was paid, since the main function of the created city was fortress protection from enemies.
Restoration of the Cathedral from the ruins after the Great Patriotic War is the most interesting and significant part of the exposition. Few buildings remaindamaged by the bombings. Modern Kaliningrad is an almost completely rebuilt post-war city.
Museum of the philosopher on the island
The third and fourth floors of the room are dedicated to the life and work of the philosopher, who was noted for his rare discipline and strict work schedule. The Kant Museum in Kaliningrad has rare exhibits that confirm this.
Here visitors will hear a detailed story about the scientist's family, the poverty she fought, the boy's craving for knowledge and the parents' efforts to give a good education to the child. You can learn a lot of interesting things about the adult Kant: how he built relationships with students and colleagues, what he considered fundamental, what habits and oddities he had.
The philosopher greatly appreciated good interlocutors and respected knowledgeable people. Having become the owner of the house, he introduced the tradition of arranging Kantian dinners, where he invited interesting guests from his point of view. He, remembering the difficult times for himself, with equal pleasure treated them to a simple and hearty meal and led philosophical conversations. This is evidenced by one of the paintings of the Kant Museum in Kaliningrad, a photo of which is presented in the article. Many exhibits are devoted to "Albertina". Where he graduated and then taught for the rest of his life.
The windows of the cathedral are decorated with stained-glass windows depicting Masonic symbols, the materials of the museum pay much attention to the customs of Masonic organizations of the 18th-19th centuries. The memorial hall completes the tour of the museum. The death mask is kept in this room.great scientist.
Grave of Immanuel Kant
Kant, a world famous scientist, has never left his hometown. He is buried on the island of Kant, near the walls of the Cathedral, which for some time was the main city tomb for the local nobility. The funeral of Immanuel Kant completed this function of his.
To the grave of the founder of German classical philosophy, admirers of his works still go. They treat the ashes of their teacher as a shrine, make a kind of pilgrimage to the place of his burial.
Creation of Kant's cabinet-museum at the university
In commemoration of the 250th anniversary of the birth of the great philosopher, the teachers of Kaliningrad University made a proposal to create a study-museum of their famous countryman at the university. In 1974, it was supported at a meeting of the Academic Council, responsible persons were appointed, and later the Council of the institution was elected. For the convenience of the work of students within its walls, the working hours of the Kant Museum were agreed. Address in Kaliningrad: A. Nevsky street, 14a. You can visit it every day from 10 am to 6 pm, the day off falls on the first day of each year.
The study-museum that started its work set itself the following tasks:
- study and promotion of the works of Immanuel Kant;
- search, study, purchase of new exhibits associated with the name of the scientist;
- public readings of his work.
To celebrate the anniversary of the university, the structure of the cabinet-museum was expanded, new exhibits were purchased,new, university museum of Kant in Kaliningrad. Within its walls, students undergo internships, participate in the cultural work of the institution, and translate works from other languages.
House of eminent figure in Veselovka
In 2018, in the village of Veselovka, not far from Kaliningrad, the Kant House-Museum, whose photos were covered in all famous magazines, opened its doors after an extensive renovation. The ruins in the recent past, which threatened to collapse completely, were literally raised from the ruins and turned into a building that adorned the village. The initiative to restore the historical monument was supported by the President of the Russian Federation V. V. Putin.
Specialists insist that it is more appropriate for a new institution to be called the place of work of a scientist. Here Immanuel Kant lived by force since 1747 for three years, teaching the three children of the local priest. I didn't have enough money for my studies. But it was within these walls that he had the opportunity to study numerous scientific works and write his first, serious works.
Restoration started in 2017. The facade of the building, roofing and beams were completely replaced. New ones were put in place of the collapsed ceilings. The restorers have preserved the interior of the house, namely the stairs, stove, doors. The smokehouse has been completely restored.
Exhibits in the new museum came not only from Kaliningrad. Colleagues of museum staff from Germany actively participated in the work on the new exposition, transferring letters from the philosopher from Berlin, Munich and Frankfurt to their collection.
How to get from Kaliningrad to the Kant Museum in Veselovka? Villageis located about a hundred kilometers from the city. The shuttle bus will take just over two hours.
