{"id":10395,"date":"2024-05-22T22:22:10","date_gmt":"2024-05-22T20:22:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/expatkaliningrad.com\/?p=10395"},"modified":"2024-05-22T22:22:12","modified_gmt":"2024-05-22T20:22:12","slug":"life-in-kaliningrad-through-the-lens-of-a-camera","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/expatkaliningrad.com\/ru\/life-in-kaliningrad-through-the-lens-of-a-camera\/","title":{"rendered":"Life in Kaliningrad through the lens of a camera"},"content":{"rendered":"<div style=\"margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;\" class=\"sharethis-inline-share-buttons\" ><\/div>\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">A few snapshots from my Kaliningrad album<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>22 May 2024 ~ Life in Kaliningrad through the lens of a camera<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\">They could be curated, they could be aggregated, but I suspect that they are a random collection of photographs, some more recent than others, taken in and of Kaliningrad. Judge for yourselves.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-medium-font-size\">Life in Kaliningrad<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-envira-envira-gallery\"><div id=\"envira-gallery-wrap-10403\" class=\"envira-gallery-wrap envira-gallery-theme-base envira-lightbox-theme-base\" itemscope itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/ImageGallery\"><div data-row-height=\"150\" data-gallery-theme=\"normal\" id=\"envira-gallery-10403\" class=\"envira-gallery-public envira-gallery-justified-public envira-gallery-0-columns envira-clear enviratope envira-gallery-css-animations\" data-envira-columns=\"0\"><div id=\"envira-gallery-item-10401\" class=\"envira-gallery-item enviratope-item envira-gallery-item-1 envira-lazy-load\" style=\"padding-left: 1px; padding-bottom: 1px; padding-right: 1px;\"  itemscope itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/ImageObject\"><div class=\"envira-gallery-item-inner\"><div class=\"envira-gallery-position-overlay  envira-gallery-top-left\"><\/div><div class=\"envira-gallery-position-overlay  envira-gallery-top-right\"><\/div><div class=\"envira-gallery-position-overlay  envira-gallery-bottom-left\"><\/div><div class=\"envira-gallery-position-overlay  envira-gallery-bottom-right\"><\/div><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/Mick-Hart-riding-the-latest-tram-in-Kaliningrad-rz-min.jpg?ssl=1\" class=\"envira-gallery-10403 envira-gallery-link\" rel=\"enviragallery10403\" title=\"Mick Hart riding the latest tram in Kaliningrad\" data-envira-caption=\"Mick Hart riding the latest tram in Kaliningrad\" data-envira-retina=\"\" data-thumbnail=\"\"  itemprop=\"contentUrl\"><img decoding=\"async\" id=\"envira-gallery-image-10401\" class=\"envira-gallery-image envira-gallery-image-1 envira-normal envira-lazy\" data-envira-index=\"1\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/Mick-Hart-riding-the-latest-tram-in-Kaliningrad-rz-min.jpg?fit=223%2C300&#038;ssl=1\" data-envira-src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/Mick-Hart-riding-the-latest-tram-in-Kaliningrad-rz-min.jpg?fit=223%2C300&#038;ssl=1\" data-envira-gallery-id=\"10403\" data-envira-item-id=\"10401\" data-envira-caption=\"Mick Hart riding the latest tram in Kaliningrad\" alt=\"Mick Hart in latest Kaliningrad tram c2023\" title=\"Mick Hart riding the latest tram in Kaliningrad\"  itemprop=\"thumbnailUrl\" data-envira-srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/Mick-Hart-riding-the-latest-tram-in-Kaliningrad-rz-min.jpg?fit=223%2C300&#038;ssl=1 400w,https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/Mick-Hart-riding-the-latest-tram-in-Kaliningrad-rz-min.jpg?fit=223%2C300&#038;ssl=1 2x\" data-envira-width=\"223\" data-envira-height=\"300\" srcset=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAP\/\/\/\/\/\/\/yH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==\" data-safe-src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAP\/\/\/\/\/\/\/yH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==\" \/><\/a><\/div><\/div><div id=\"envira-gallery-item-10402\" class=\"envira-gallery-item enviratope-item envira-gallery-item-2 envira-lazy-load\" style=\"padding-left: 1px; padding-bottom: 1px; padding-right: 1px;\"  itemscope itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/ImageObject\"><div class=\"envira-gallery-item-inner\"><div class=\"envira-gallery-position-overlay  envira-gallery-top-left\"><\/div><div class=\"envira-gallery-position-overlay  envira-gallery-top-right\"><\/div><div class=\"envira-gallery-position-overlay  envira-gallery-bottom-left\"><\/div><div class=\"envira-gallery-position-overlay  envira-gallery-bottom-right\"><\/div><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/Old-tram-in-Kaliningrad-autumnal-scene-rz-min.jpg?ssl=1\" class=\"envira-gallery-10403 envira-gallery-link\" rel=\"enviragallery10403\" title=\"Old tram in Kaliningrad autumnal scene\" data-envira-caption=\"Old tram in Kaliningrad autumnal scene\" data-envira-retina=\"\" data-thumbnail=\"\"  itemprop=\"contentUrl\"><img decoding=\"async\" id=\"envira-gallery-image-10402\" class=\"envira-gallery-image envira-gallery-image-2 envira-normal envira-lazy\" data-envira-index=\"2\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/Old-tram-in-Kaliningrad-autumnal-scene-rz-min.jpg?fit=300%2C225&#038;ssl=1\" data-envira-src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/Old-tram-in-Kaliningrad-autumnal-scene-rz-min.jpg?fit=300%2C225&#038;ssl=1\" data-envira-gallery-id=\"10403\" data-envira-item-id=\"10402\" data-envira-caption=\"Old tram in Kaliningrad autumnal scene\" alt=\"Tram in Kaliningrad autumnal scene\" title=\"Old tram in Kaliningrad autumnal scene\"  itemprop=\"thumbnailUrl\" data-envira-srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/Old-tram-in-Kaliningrad-autumnal-scene-rz-min.jpg?fit=300%2C225&#038;ssl=1 400w,https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/Old-tram-in-Kaliningrad-autumnal-scene-rz-min.jpg?fit=300%2C225&#038;ssl=1 2x\" data-envira-width=\"300\" data-envira-height=\"225\" srcset=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAP\/\/\/\/\/\/\/yH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==\" data-safe-src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAP\/\/\/\/\/\/\/yH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==\" \/><\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/Mick-Hart-riding-the-latest-tram-in-Kaliningrad-rz-min.jpg?fit=1280%2C1720&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"Mick Hart in latest Kaliningrad tram c2023\" \/><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/Old-tram-in-Kaliningrad-autumnal-scene-rz-min.jpg?fit=1290%2C968&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"Tram in Kaliningrad autumnal scene\" \/><\/noscript><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Above: <strong>Trams<\/strong> {Click on images to enlarge}<br>The new and the old ~ and I am not referring to myself. Here am I riding one of Kaliningrad\u2019s latest trams. They are smooth and swish, and you can buy your ticket using touch-card technology. The old trams, c1970s (second photograph), good looks, as far as I am concerned. For me, these two-carriage \u2018biscuit tins\u2019 have classic kudos. I love the sounds and the movements they make. I even love the metal seats. Whenever I use these trams, our old friend <a href=\"https:\/\/expatkaliningrad.com\/ru\/victor-ryabinin-konigsberg-kaliningrad\/\" title=\"Victor Ryabnin\">Victor Ryabinin<\/a> comes to mind. I can see him now, holding onto the rail at the back of the tram, observing life, as artists do, through the tram\u2019s rear window. Rear Window! That\u2019s a good name for a film.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"625\" height=\"468\" data-attachment-id=\"10404\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/expatkaliningrad.com\/ru\/life-in-kaliningrad-through-the-lens-of-a-camera\/group-photo-kings-car-show-min\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/Group-Photo-KIngs-Car-Show-min.jpg?fit=834%2C625&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"834,625\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Group Photo KIngs Residence Kaliningrad\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/Group-Photo-KIngs-Car-Show-min.jpg?fit=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/Group-Photo-KIngs-Car-Show-min.jpg?fit=625%2C468&amp;ssl=1\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/Group-Photo-KIngs-Car-Show-min.jpg?resize=625%2C468&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"Mick Hart and Olga Hart at Kaliningrad vintage car show 2019\" class=\"wp-image-10404\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/Group-Photo-KIngs-Car-Show-min.jpg?w=834&amp;ssl=1 834w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/Group-Photo-KIngs-Car-Show-min.jpg?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/Group-Photo-KIngs-Car-Show-min.jpg?resize=768%2C576&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/Group-Photo-KIngs-Car-Show-min.jpg?resize=16%2C12&amp;ssl=1 16w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/Group-Photo-KIngs-Car-Show-min.jpg?resize=624%2C468&amp;ssl=1 624w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/Group-Photo-KIngs-Car-Show-min.jpg?resize=24%2C18&amp;ssl=1 24w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/Group-Photo-KIngs-Car-Show-min.jpg?resize=36%2C27&amp;ssl=1 36w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/Group-Photo-KIngs-Car-Show-min.jpg?resize=48%2C36&amp;ssl=1 48w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 625px) 100vw, 625px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Above: <strong>2019 Golden Shadow of K\u00f6nigsberg<br><\/strong>When things were different, and they often are, the Auto Retro Club Kaliningrad held an international and classic car show. The photo of me in a wide-brimmed trilby (a Fedora) was taken in what was that year (2019) the main arena for car competitions, the carpark of the King\u2019s Residence, Kaliningrad&#8217;s most elaborate family leisure centre and restaurant complex. (Tweed jacket courtesy of Mr Wilcox)<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignright size-large is-resized\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"576\" height=\"1024\" data-attachment-id=\"10405\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/expatkaliningrad.com\/ru\/life-in-kaliningrad-through-the-lens-of-a-camera\/mick-hart-in-front-of-kaliningrad-orthodox-cathedral-2024-min\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/Mick-Hart-in-front-of-Kaliningrad-Orthodox-Cathedral-2024-min.jpg?fit=899%2C1599&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"899,1599\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Mick Hart in front of Kaliningrad Orthodox Cathedral 2024\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/Mick-Hart-in-front-of-Kaliningrad-Orthodox-Cathedral-2024-min.jpg?fit=169%2C300&amp;ssl=1\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/Mick-Hart-in-front-of-Kaliningrad-Orthodox-Cathedral-2024-min.jpg?fit=576%2C1024&amp;ssl=1\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/Mick-Hart-in-front-of-Kaliningrad-Orthodox-Cathedral-2024-min.jpg?resize=576%2C1024&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"Mick Hart in front of Kaliningrad's Cathedral of Christ the Saviour\" class=\"wp-image-10405\" style=\"width:362px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/Mick-Hart-in-front-of-Kaliningrad-Orthodox-Cathedral-2024-min.jpg?resize=576%2C1024&amp;ssl=1 576w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/Mick-Hart-in-front-of-Kaliningrad-Orthodox-Cathedral-2024-min.jpg?resize=169%2C300&amp;ssl=1 169w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/Mick-Hart-in-front-of-Kaliningrad-Orthodox-Cathedral-2024-min.jpg?resize=768%2C1366&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/Mick-Hart-in-front-of-Kaliningrad-Orthodox-Cathedral-2024-min.jpg?resize=864%2C1536&amp;ssl=1 864w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/Mick-Hart-in-front-of-Kaliningrad-Orthodox-Cathedral-2024-min.jpg?resize=7%2C12&amp;ssl=1 7w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/Mick-Hart-in-front-of-Kaliningrad-Orthodox-Cathedral-2024-min.jpg?resize=624%2C1110&amp;ssl=1 624w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/Mick-Hart-in-front-of-Kaliningrad-Orthodox-Cathedral-2024-min.jpg?resize=13%2C24&amp;ssl=1 13w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/Mick-Hart-in-front-of-Kaliningrad-Orthodox-Cathedral-2024-min.jpg?resize=20%2C36&amp;ssl=1 20w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/Mick-Hart-in-front-of-Kaliningrad-Orthodox-Cathedral-2024-min.jpg?resize=27%2C48&amp;ssl=1 27w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/Mick-Hart-in-front-of-Kaliningrad-Orthodox-Cathedral-2024-min.jpg?w=899&amp;ssl=1 899w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 576px) 100vw, 576px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p><strong>Orthodox Christian Cathedral Kaliningrad<br><\/strong>The photograph of yours truly was taken in March of this year (2024) in Victory Square in front of The Cathedral of Christ the Saviour, Kaliningrad. In days of yore, meaning the early 2000s, this spot was dominated by a large bronze statue of Lenin, since removed to another quarter of the town. With the construction of the cathedral, the centre of Kaliningrad moved from K\u00f6nigsberg\u2019s cultural and spiritual centre, directly in front of the Kaliningrad Hotel, to where it is today. In K\u00f6nigsberg\u2019s days, the area known as Victory Square and everything beyond lay outside the city\u2019s defensive walls. (Yes, I know, from a compositional perspective, it would have been much better had I stood so that I was centred in the photograph in line with the door. It annoys me as well!)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:100px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignleft size-full is-resized\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"528\" height=\"876\" data-attachment-id=\"10407\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/expatkaliningrad.com\/ru\/life-in-kaliningrad-through-the-lens-of-a-camera\/konigsberg-relics-at-fleamarket-in-kaliningrad\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/Konigsberg-relics-at-fleamarket-in-Kaliningrad.jpg?fit=528%2C876&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"528,876\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"K\u00f6nigsberg relics at fleamarket in Kaliningrad\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/Konigsberg-relics-at-fleamarket-in-Kaliningrad.jpg?fit=181%2C300&amp;ssl=1\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/Konigsberg-relics-at-fleamarket-in-Kaliningrad.jpg?fit=528%2C876&amp;ssl=1\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/Konigsberg-relics-at-fleamarket-in-Kaliningrad.jpg?resize=528%2C876&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"K\u00f6nigsberg relics at fleamarket in Kaliningrad\" class=\"wp-image-10407\" style=\"width:308px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/Konigsberg-relics-at-fleamarket-in-Kaliningrad.jpg?w=528&amp;ssl=1 528w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/Konigsberg-relics-at-fleamarket-in-Kaliningrad.jpg?resize=181%2C300&amp;ssl=1 181w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/Konigsberg-relics-at-fleamarket-in-Kaliningrad.jpg?resize=7%2C12&amp;ssl=1 7w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/Konigsberg-relics-at-fleamarket-in-Kaliningrad.jpg?resize=14%2C24&amp;ssl=1 14w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/Konigsberg-relics-at-fleamarket-in-Kaliningrad.jpg?resize=22%2C36&amp;ssl=1 22w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/Konigsberg-relics-at-fleamarket-in-Kaliningrad.jpg?resize=29%2C48&amp;ssl=1 29w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 528px) 100vw, 528px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>&lt; Left: <strong>K\u00f6nigsberg Relics<\/strong><br>A lot of K\u00f6nigsberg was blown into bits and pieces during World War Two, so it is hardly surprising that bits and pieces of its past keep turning up, and a good place to find them ~ in fact the best ~ is at <a href=\"https:\/\/expatkaliningrad.com\/ru\/kaliningrad-flea-market\/\" title=\"Kaliningrad\u2019s flea market\">Kaliningrad\u2019s flea market<\/a>, just to one side of the city\u2019s central market. This photo illustrates why I love this market so much.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Below: <strong>QR Code Checkers<br><\/strong>Here\u2019s a blast from the past ~ and let\u2019s sincerely hope that it remains that way. Here we have <a href=\"https:\/\/expatkaliningrad.com\/ru\/old-tin-buckets-qr-codes\/\" title=\"QR Code\">QR Code<\/a> Checking Officers on duty during the Coronavirus era, not letting anybody inside the cathedral unless they had a QR code proving they had been \u2018jabbed\u2019. Looking back on this sinister period of history makes walking in and out of doorways unchallenged instantly gratifying.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-medium-font-size\">Life in Kaliningrad<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"625\" height=\"289\" data-attachment-id=\"10408\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/expatkaliningrad.com\/ru\/life-in-kaliningrad-through-the-lens-of-a-camera\/qr-c-checkers-cathedral-2021-min\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/QR-C-checkers-Cathedral-2021-min.jpg?fit=864%2C399&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"864,399\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"QR Code checkers Kaliningrad Cathedral 2021\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/QR-C-checkers-Cathedral-2021-min.jpg?fit=300%2C139&amp;ssl=1\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/QR-C-checkers-Cathedral-2021-min.jpg?fit=625%2C289&amp;ssl=1\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/QR-C-checkers-Cathedral-2021-min.jpg?resize=625%2C289&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"QR Code checkers monitor access to Kaliningrad Cathedral in the Coronavirus year of 2021\" class=\"wp-image-10408\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/QR-C-checkers-Cathedral-2021-min.jpg?w=864&amp;ssl=1 864w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/QR-C-checkers-Cathedral-2021-min.jpg?resize=300%2C139&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/QR-C-checkers-Cathedral-2021-min.jpg?resize=768%2C355&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/QR-C-checkers-Cathedral-2021-min.jpg?resize=18%2C8&amp;ssl=1 18w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/QR-C-checkers-Cathedral-2021-min.jpg?resize=624%2C288&amp;ssl=1 624w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/QR-C-checkers-Cathedral-2021-min.jpg?resize=24%2C11&amp;ssl=1 24w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/QR-C-checkers-Cathedral-2021-min.jpg?resize=36%2C17&amp;ssl=1 36w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/QR-C-checkers-Cathedral-2021-min.jpg?resize=48%2C22&amp;ssl=1 48w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 625px) 100vw, 625px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"625\" height=\"352\" data-attachment-id=\"10410\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/expatkaliningrad.com\/ru\/life-in-kaliningrad-through-the-lens-of-a-camera\/botanical-gardens-kaliningrad-rz-min\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/Botanical-gardens-Kaliningrad-rz-min.jpg?fit=1290%2C726&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"1290,726\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Botanical Gardens Kaliningrad\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/Botanical-gardens-Kaliningrad-rz-min.jpg?fit=300%2C169&amp;ssl=1\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/Botanical-gardens-Kaliningrad-rz-min.jpg?fit=625%2C352&amp;ssl=1\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/Botanical-gardens-Kaliningrad-rz-min.jpg?resize=625%2C352&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"Kaliningrad Botanical Gardens: an autumnal scene of the lake\" class=\"wp-image-10410\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/Botanical-gardens-Kaliningrad-rz-min.jpg?resize=1024%2C576&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/Botanical-gardens-Kaliningrad-rz-min.jpg?resize=300%2C169&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/Botanical-gardens-Kaliningrad-rz-min.jpg?resize=768%2C432&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/Botanical-gardens-Kaliningrad-rz-min.jpg?resize=18%2C10&amp;ssl=1 18w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/Botanical-gardens-Kaliningrad-rz-min.jpg?resize=624%2C351&amp;ssl=1 624w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/Botanical-gardens-Kaliningrad-rz-min.jpg?resize=24%2C14&amp;ssl=1 24w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/Botanical-gardens-Kaliningrad-rz-min.jpg?resize=36%2C20&amp;ssl=1 36w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/Botanical-gardens-Kaliningrad-rz-min.jpg?resize=48%2C27&amp;ssl=1 48w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/Botanical-gardens-Kaliningrad-rz-min.jpg?w=1290&amp;ssl=1 1290w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 625px) 100vw, 625px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Above: <strong>Kaliningrad Botanical Gardens<br><\/strong>Unlike many cities, you do not have to travel far in Kaliningrad to <a href=\"https:\/\/expatkaliningrad.com\/ru\/max-aschmann-park-kaliningrad\/\" title=\"enjoy nature in its natural habitat\">enjoy nature in its natural habitat<\/a>. This photograph captures the tranquility of the lake in Kaliningrad\u2019s Botanical Gardens. It was taken in autumn 2023.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-envira-envira-gallery\"><div id=\"envira-gallery-wrap-10414\" class=\"envira-gallery-wrap envira-gallery-theme-base envira-lightbox-theme-base\" itemscope itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/ImageGallery\"><div data-row-height=\"150\" data-gallery-theme=\"normal\" id=\"envira-gallery-10414\" class=\"envira-gallery-public envira-gallery-justified-public envira-gallery-0-columns envira-clear enviratope envira-gallery-css-animations\" data-envira-columns=\"0\"><div id=\"envira-gallery-item-10412\" class=\"envira-gallery-item enviratope-item envira-gallery-item-1 envira-lazy-load\" style=\"padding-left: 1px; padding-bottom: 1px; padding-right: 1px;\"  itemscope itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/ImageObject\"><div class=\"envira-gallery-item-inner\"><div class=\"envira-gallery-position-overlay  envira-gallery-top-left\"><\/div><div class=\"envira-gallery-position-overlay  envira-gallery-top-right\"><\/div><div class=\"envira-gallery-position-overlay  envira-gallery-bottom-left\"><\/div><div class=\"envira-gallery-position-overlay  envira-gallery-bottom-right\"><\/div><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/Cat-sculpture-near-Market-Kaliningrad-min.jpg?ssl=1\" class=\"envira-gallery-10414 envira-gallery-link\" rel=\"enviragallery10414\" title=\"Cat sculpture near Market Kaliningrad\" data-envira-caption=\"Cat sculpture near Market Kaliningrad\" data-envira-retina=\"\" data-thumbnail=\"\"  itemprop=\"contentUrl\"><img decoding=\"async\" id=\"envira-gallery-image-10412\" class=\"envira-gallery-image envira-gallery-image-1 envira-normal envira-lazy\" data-envira-index=\"1\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/Cat-sculpture-near-Market-Kaliningrad-min.jpg?fit=576%2C1024&#038;ssl=1\" data-envira-src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/Cat-sculpture-near-Market-Kaliningrad-min.jpg?fit=576%2C1024&#038;ssl=1\" data-envira-gallery-id=\"10414\" data-envira-item-id=\"10412\" data-envira-caption=\"Cat sculpture near Market Kaliningrad\" alt=\"\" title=\"Cat sculpture near Market Kaliningrad\"  itemprop=\"thumbnailUrl\" data-envira-srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/Cat-sculpture-near-Market-Kaliningrad-min.jpg?fit=576%2C1024&#038;ssl=1 400w,https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/Cat-sculpture-near-Market-Kaliningrad-min.jpg?fit=576%2C1024&#038;ssl=1 2x\" data-envira-width=\"169\" data-envira-height=\"300\" srcset=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAP\/\/\/\/\/\/\/yH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==\" data-safe-src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAP\/\/\/\/\/\/\/yH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==\" \/><\/a><\/div><\/div><div id=\"envira-gallery-item-10413\" class=\"envira-gallery-item enviratope-item envira-gallery-item-2 envira-lazy-load\" style=\"padding-left: 1px; padding-bottom: 1px; padding-right: 1px;\"  itemscope itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/ImageObject\"><div class=\"envira-gallery-item-inner\"><div class=\"envira-gallery-position-overlay  envira-gallery-top-left\"><\/div><div class=\"envira-gallery-position-overlay  envira-gallery-top-right\"><\/div><div class=\"envira-gallery-position-overlay  envira-gallery-bottom-left\"><\/div><div class=\"envira-gallery-position-overlay  envira-gallery-bottom-right\"><\/div><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/Modern-Samovar-on-Barrel-min.jpg?ssl=1\" class=\"envira-gallery-10414 envira-gallery-link\" rel=\"enviragallery10414\" title=\"Modern Samovar on Barrel\" data-envira-caption=\"Modern Samovar on Barrel\" data-envira-retina=\"\" data-thumbnail=\"\"  itemprop=\"contentUrl\"><img decoding=\"async\" id=\"envira-gallery-image-10413\" class=\"envira-gallery-image envira-gallery-image-2 envira-normal envira-lazy\" data-envira-index=\"2\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/Modern-Samovar-on-Barrel-min.jpg?fit=469%2C1024&#038;ssl=1\" data-envira-src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/Modern-Samovar-on-Barrel-min.jpg?fit=469%2C1024&#038;ssl=1\" data-envira-gallery-id=\"10414\" data-envira-item-id=\"10413\" data-envira-caption=\"Modern Samovar on Barrel\" alt=\"Modern Samovar on an oil drum at Kaliningrad street food fair\" title=\"Modern Samovar on Barrel\"  itemprop=\"thumbnailUrl\" data-envira-srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/Modern-Samovar-on-Barrel-min.jpg?fit=469%2C1024&#038;ssl=1 400w,https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/Modern-Samovar-on-Barrel-min.jpg?fit=469%2C1024&#038;ssl=1 2x\" data-envira-width=\"138\" data-envira-height=\"300\" srcset=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAP\/\/\/\/\/\/\/yH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==\" data-safe-src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAP\/\/\/\/\/\/\/yH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==\" \/><\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/Cat-sculpture-near-Market-Kaliningrad-min.jpg?fit=899%2C1599&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" \/><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/Modern-Samovar-on-Barrel-min.jpg?fit=528%2C1152&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"Modern Samovar on an oil drum at Kaliningrad street food fair\" \/><\/noscript><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Above: <strong>Kaliningrad Sculptures <\/strong>{Click on images to enlarge}<strong><br><\/strong>Kaliningrad is renowned for its sculptures: Schiller, Kant, Lenin and the composition of two fighting bison to name but four. They may possess an attitude of assumed permanence thanks to who and what they are, but this distinction should not cancel out the ephemeral and the esoteric. This purple faceted moggy was last seen sitting statuesque outside Kaliningrad\u2019s latest shopping centre in the central market district, and it is not everyday you will see an <a href=\"https:\/\/expatkaliningrad.com\/ru\/kaliningrad-street-food-festival-a-cathedral-of-taste\/\" title=\"updated Russian samovar\">updated Russian samovar<\/a> sitting on top of an oil drum in the grounds of K\u00f6nigsberg Cathedral.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"625\" height=\"837\" data-attachment-id=\"10415\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/expatkaliningrad.com\/ru\/life-in-kaliningrad-through-the-lens-of-a-camera\/the-house-of-soviets-from-fisherman-village-march-2023-rz-min\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/The-House-of-Soviets-from-Fisherman-Village-March-2023-rz-min.jpg?fit=896%2C1200&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"896,1200\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"The House of Soviets from Fisherman Village March 2023\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/The-House-of-Soviets-from-Fisherman-Village-March-2023-rz-min.jpg?fit=224%2C300&amp;ssl=1\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/The-House-of-Soviets-from-Fisherman-Village-March-2023-rz-min.jpg?fit=625%2C837&amp;ssl=1\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/The-House-of-Soviets-from-Fisherman-Village-March-2023-rz-min.jpg?resize=625%2C837&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"Life in Kaliningrad: Three iconic buildings in Kaliningrad, but the House of Soviets is no more ...\" class=\"wp-image-10415\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/The-House-of-Soviets-from-Fisherman-Village-March-2023-rz-min.jpg?resize=765%2C1024&amp;ssl=1 765w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/The-House-of-Soviets-from-Fisherman-Village-March-2023-rz-min.jpg?resize=224%2C300&amp;ssl=1 224w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/The-House-of-Soviets-from-Fisherman-Village-March-2023-rz-min.jpg?resize=768%2C1029&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/The-House-of-Soviets-from-Fisherman-Village-March-2023-rz-min.jpg?resize=9%2C12&amp;ssl=1 9w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/The-House-of-Soviets-from-Fisherman-Village-March-2023-rz-min.jpg?resize=624%2C836&amp;ssl=1 624w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/The-House-of-Soviets-from-Fisherman-Village-March-2023-rz-min.jpg?resize=18%2C24&amp;ssl=1 18w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/The-House-of-Soviets-from-Fisherman-Village-March-2023-rz-min.jpg?resize=27%2C36&amp;ssl=1 27w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/The-House-of-Soviets-from-Fisherman-Village-March-2023-rz-min.jpg?resize=36%2C48&amp;ssl=1 36w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/The-House-of-Soviets-from-Fisherman-Village-March-2023-rz-min.jpg?w=896&amp;ssl=1 896w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 625px) 100vw, 625px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Above: <strong>House of Soviets<br><\/strong>A poignant picture of the <a href=\"https:\/\/expatkaliningrad.com\/ru\/kaliningrad-house-of-soviets-melts-into-the-past\/\" title=\"House of Soviets\">House of Soviets<\/a> framed between the hotel and restaurant buildings of Kaliningrad\u2019s Fishing Village and the reconstructed \u2018New Synagogue\u2019 c.2023. Stand in the same spot today where the photograph was taken to appreciate the laws of transience by which our lives are governed. &nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-resized is-style-rounded\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"417\" height=\"902\" data-attachment-id=\"10416\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/expatkaliningrad.com\/ru\/life-in-kaliningrad-through-the-lens-of-a-camera\/mick-with-cccp-min\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/Mick-with-CCCP-min.jpg?fit=417%2C902&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"417,902\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Mick Hart with CCCP ice cream\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/Mick-with-CCCP-min.jpg?fit=139%2C300&amp;ssl=1\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/Mick-with-CCCP-min.jpg?fit=417%2C902&amp;ssl=1\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/Mick-with-CCCP-min.jpg?resize=417%2C902&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"Mick Hart with USSR ice cream\" class=\"wp-image-10416\" style=\"width:200px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/Mick-with-CCCP-min.jpg?w=417&amp;ssl=1 417w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/Mick-with-CCCP-min.jpg?resize=139%2C300&amp;ssl=1 139w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/Mick-with-CCCP-min.jpg?resize=6%2C12&amp;ssl=1 6w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/Mick-with-CCCP-min.jpg?resize=11%2C24&amp;ssl=1 11w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/Mick-with-CCCP-min.jpg?resize=17%2C36&amp;ssl=1 17w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/Mick-with-CCCP-min.jpg?resize=22%2C48&amp;ssl=1 22w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 417px) 100vw, 417px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Above: <strong>CCCP (that\u2019s USSR to you)<br><\/strong>As you know, because it\u2019s general knowledge, there\u2019s no time like the past, which is why as a collector of what\u2019s left of it, I was thrilled to discover on a hot day in \u201922 an ice cream with an historical theme. After chilling out on it, I was able to say with impunity, \u201c I enjoyed the USSR\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-envira-envira-gallery\"><div id=\"envira-gallery-wrap-10419\" class=\"envira-gallery-wrap envira-gallery-theme-base envira-lightbox-theme-base\" itemscope itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/ImageGallery\"><div data-row-height=\"150\" data-gallery-theme=\"normal\" id=\"envira-gallery-10419\" class=\"envira-gallery-public envira-gallery-justified-public envira-gallery-0-columns envira-clear enviratope envira-gallery-css-animations\" data-envira-columns=\"0\"><div id=\"envira-gallery-item-10417\" class=\"envira-gallery-item enviratope-item envira-gallery-item-1 envira-lazy-load\" style=\"padding-left: 1px; padding-bottom: 1px; padding-right: 1px;\"  itemscope itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/ImageObject\"><div class=\"envira-gallery-item-inner\"><div class=\"envira-gallery-position-overlay  envira-gallery-top-left\"><\/div><div class=\"envira-gallery-position-overlay  envira-gallery-top-right\"><\/div><div class=\"envira-gallery-position-overlay  envira-gallery-bottom-left\"><\/div><div class=\"envira-gallery-position-overlay  envira-gallery-bottom-right\"><\/div><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/Sunny-Day-in-May-Youth-Park-kaliningrad-rz-min.jpg?ssl=1\" class=\"envira-gallery-10419 envira-gallery-link\" rel=\"enviragallery10419\" title=\"Sunny Day in May Youth Park Kaliningrad\" data-envira-caption=\"Sunny Day in May Youth Park Kaliningrad\" data-envira-retina=\"\" data-thumbnail=\"\"  itemprop=\"contentUrl\"><img decoding=\"async\" id=\"envira-gallery-image-10417\" class=\"envira-gallery-image envira-gallery-image-1 envira-normal envira-lazy\" data-envira-index=\"1\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/Sunny-Day-in-May-Youth-Park-kaliningrad-rz-min.jpg?fit=625%2C471&#038;ssl=1\" data-envira-src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/Sunny-Day-in-May-Youth-Park-kaliningrad-rz-min.jpg?fit=625%2C471&#038;ssl=1\" data-envira-gallery-id=\"10419\" data-envira-item-id=\"10417\" data-envira-caption=\"Sunny Day in May Youth Park Kaliningrad\" alt=\"Sunny Day in Youth Park, Kaliningrad\" title=\"Sunny Day in May Youth Park Kaliningrad\"  itemprop=\"thumbnailUrl\" data-envira-srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/Sunny-Day-in-May-Youth-Park-kaliningrad-rz-min.jpg?fit=625%2C471&#038;ssl=1 400w,https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/Sunny-Day-in-May-Youth-Park-kaliningrad-rz-min.jpg?fit=625%2C471&#038;ssl=1 2x\" data-envira-width=\"300\" data-envira-height=\"226\" srcset=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAP\/\/\/\/\/\/\/yH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==\" data-safe-src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAP\/\/\/\/\/\/\/yH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==\" \/><\/a><\/div><\/div><div id=\"envira-gallery-item-10418\" class=\"envira-gallery-item enviratope-item envira-gallery-item-2 envira-lazy-load\" style=\"padding-left: 1px; padding-bottom: 1px; padding-right: 1px;\"  itemscope itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/ImageObject\"><div class=\"envira-gallery-item-inner\"><div class=\"envira-gallery-position-overlay  envira-gallery-top-left\"><\/div><div class=\"envira-gallery-position-overlay  envira-gallery-top-right\"><\/div><div class=\"envira-gallery-position-overlay  envira-gallery-bottom-left\"><\/div><div class=\"envira-gallery-position-overlay  envira-gallery-bottom-right\"><\/div><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/Time-for-tea-in-Youth-Park-Kaliningrad-min.jpg?ssl=1\" class=\"envira-gallery-10419 envira-gallery-link\" rel=\"enviragallery10419\" title=\"Time for tea in Youth Park Kaliningrad\" data-envira-caption=\"Time for tea in Youth Park Kaliningrad\" data-envira-retina=\"\" data-thumbnail=\"\"  itemprop=\"contentUrl\"><img decoding=\"async\" id=\"envira-gallery-image-10418\" class=\"envira-gallery-image envira-gallery-image-2 envira-normal envira-lazy\" data-envira-index=\"2\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/Time-for-tea-in-Youth-Park-Kaliningrad-min.jpg?fit=625%2C830&#038;ssl=1\" data-envira-src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/Time-for-tea-in-Youth-Park-Kaliningrad-min.jpg?fit=625%2C830&#038;ssl=1\" data-envira-gallery-id=\"10419\" data-envira-item-id=\"10418\" data-envira-caption=\"Time for tea in Youth Park Kaliningrad\" alt=\"Life in Kaliningrad: Mick Hart takes tea in Kaliningrad Youth Park\" title=\"Time for tea in Youth Park Kaliningrad\"  itemprop=\"thumbnailUrl\" data-envira-srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/Time-for-tea-in-Youth-Park-Kaliningrad-min.jpg?fit=625%2C830&#038;ssl=1 400w,https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/Time-for-tea-in-Youth-Park-Kaliningrad-min.jpg?fit=625%2C830&#038;ssl=1 2x\" data-envira-width=\"226\" data-envira-height=\"300\" srcset=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAP\/\/\/\/\/\/\/yH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==\" data-safe-src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAP\/\/\/\/\/\/\/yH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==\" \/><\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/Sunny-Day-in-May-Youth-Park-kaliningrad-rz-min.jpg?fit=1290%2C971&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"Sunny Day in Youth Park, Kaliningrad\" \/><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/Time-for-tea-in-Youth-Park-Kaliningrad-min.jpg?fit=1204%2C1600&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"Life in Kaliningrad: Mick Hart takes tea in Kaliningrad Youth Park\" \/><\/noscript><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Above: <strong>Sunny Day in <a href=\"https:\/\/expatkaliningrad.com\/ru\/kaliningrad-ferris-wheel-at-youth-park\/\" title=\"Youth Park\">Youth Park<\/a> <\/strong>{Click on images to enlarge}<strong><br><\/strong>They say that \u2018youth is wasted on the young\u2019, but whenever I stroll through Kaliningrad\u2019s Youth Park, I put this prejudice behind me and think instead \u2018young at heart\u2019. Some would say, \u2018never grown up!\u2019 I vow one day that I will attempt to complete every adult ride in the park in series. Until that day dawns, I will continue to enjoy those days when the park is less rumbustious. At the time these photos were taken (May 2024), I was more than happy simply to purchase a cup of specialty tea and sit and drink it on a park bench. The park attendants were filling the planters with flowers, and the sun had got its hat on.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-2 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"625\" height=\"469\" data-attachment-id=\"10420\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/expatkaliningrad.com\/ru\/life-in-kaliningrad-through-the-lens-of-a-camera\/german-villa-kaliningrad-october-2021-rz-min\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/German-Villa-Kaliningrad-October-2021-rz-min.jpg?fit=1290%2C968&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"1290,968\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"German Villa Kaliningrad October 2021\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/German-Villa-Kaliningrad-October-2021-rz-min.jpg?fit=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/German-Villa-Kaliningrad-October-2021-rz-min.jpg?fit=625%2C469&amp;ssl=1\" data-id=\"10420\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/German-Villa-Kaliningrad-October-2021-rz-min.jpg?resize=625%2C469&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"German Villa in Kaliningrad\" class=\"wp-image-10420\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/German-Villa-Kaliningrad-October-2021-rz-min.jpg?resize=1024%2C768&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/German-Villa-Kaliningrad-October-2021-rz-min.jpg?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/German-Villa-Kaliningrad-October-2021-rz-min.jpg?resize=768%2C576&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/German-Villa-Kaliningrad-October-2021-rz-min.jpg?resize=16%2C12&amp;ssl=1 16w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/German-Villa-Kaliningrad-October-2021-rz-min.jpg?resize=624%2C468&amp;ssl=1 624w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/German-Villa-Kaliningrad-October-2021-rz-min.jpg?resize=24%2C18&amp;ssl=1 24w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/German-Villa-Kaliningrad-October-2021-rz-min.jpg?resize=36%2C27&amp;ssl=1 36w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/German-Villa-Kaliningrad-October-2021-rz-min.jpg?resize=48%2C36&amp;ssl=1 48w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/German-Villa-Kaliningrad-October-2021-rz-min.jpg?w=1290&amp;ssl=1 1290w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 625px) 100vw, 625px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"625\" height=\"469\" data-attachment-id=\"10421\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/expatkaliningrad.com\/ru\/life-in-kaliningrad-through-the-lens-of-a-camera\/konigsberg-villa-rz\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/Konigsberg-Villa-rz.jpg?fit=1290%2C968&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"1290,968\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1627216209&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"K\u00f6nigsberg Villa\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/Konigsberg-Villa-rz.jpg?fit=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/Konigsberg-Villa-rz.jpg?fit=625%2C469&amp;ssl=1\" data-id=\"10421\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/Konigsberg-Villa-rz.jpg?resize=625%2C469&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"K\u00f6nigsberg villa in modern-day Kaliningrad\" class=\"wp-image-10421\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/Konigsberg-Villa-rz.jpg?resize=1024%2C768&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/Konigsberg-Villa-rz.jpg?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/Konigsberg-Villa-rz.jpg?resize=768%2C576&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/Konigsberg-Villa-rz.jpg?resize=16%2C12&amp;ssl=1 16w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/Konigsberg-Villa-rz.jpg?resize=624%2C468&amp;ssl=1 624w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/Konigsberg-Villa-rz.jpg?resize=24%2C18&amp;ssl=1 24w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/Konigsberg-Villa-rz.jpg?resize=36%2C27&amp;ssl=1 36w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/Konigsberg-Villa-rz.jpg?resize=48%2C36&amp;ssl=1 48w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/Konigsberg-Villa-rz.jpg?w=1290&amp;ssl=1 1290w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 625px) 100vw, 625px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-medium\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" data-attachment-id=\"10422\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/expatkaliningrad.com\/ru\/life-in-kaliningrad-through-the-lens-of-a-camera\/palatial-building-on-something-street-min\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/Palatial-building-on-something-street-min.jpg?fit=768%2C1024&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"768,1024\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Palatial building on something street-min\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/Palatial-building-on-something-street-min.jpg?fit=225%2C300&amp;ssl=1\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/Palatial-building-on-something-street-min.jpg?fit=625%2C833&amp;ssl=1\" data-id=\"10422\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/Palatial-building-on-something-street-min.jpg?resize=225%2C300&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"Palatial German building in 21st century Kaliningrad\" class=\"wp-image-10422\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/Palatial-building-on-something-street-min.jpg?resize=225%2C300&amp;ssl=1 225w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/Palatial-building-on-something-street-min.jpg?resize=9%2C12&amp;ssl=1 9w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/Palatial-building-on-something-street-min.jpg?resize=624%2C832&amp;ssl=1 624w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/Palatial-building-on-something-street-min.jpg?resize=18%2C24&amp;ssl=1 18w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/Palatial-building-on-something-street-min.jpg?resize=27%2C36&amp;ssl=1 27w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/Palatial-building-on-something-street-min.jpg?resize=36%2C48&amp;ssl=1 36w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/Palatial-building-on-something-street-min.jpg?w=768&amp;ssl=1 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 225px) 100vw, 225px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Above: <strong>K\u00f6nigsberg Villas<br><\/strong>It is hardly surprising that when residents of Moscow, Siberia and other far-flung places across this huge territory that is Russia, visit Kaliningrad, they fall in love with the city. Kaliningrad, in all its many and diverse facets, is, by virtue of its Prussian-Russian history, a unique experience, central to which is its surviving German buildings. Contrary to the belief that <em>all<\/em> of K\u00f6nigsberg was raised to the ground during WWII, many splendid, curious and fine examples of architectural merit are extant, and it is not always necessary to adopt a\u00a0 \u2018seek and ye shall find\u2019 approach. In the districts of Amalienau and Maraunenhof, for example, almost every street contains something of architectural significance, and some streets have enough large houses and grand villas on them to make even the most abstemious ashamed of their secret envy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-envira-envira-gallery\"><div id=\"envira-gallery-wrap-10427\" class=\"envira-gallery-wrap envira-gallery-theme-base envira-lightbox-theme-base\" itemscope itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/ImageGallery\"><div data-row-height=\"150\" data-gallery-theme=\"normal\" id=\"envira-gallery-10427\" class=\"envira-gallery-public envira-gallery-justified-public envira-gallery-0-columns envira-clear enviratope envira-gallery-css-animations\" data-envira-columns=\"0\"><div id=\"envira-gallery-item-10425\" class=\"envira-gallery-item enviratope-item envira-gallery-item-1 envira-lazy-load\" style=\"padding-left: 1px; padding-bottom: 1px; padding-right: 1px;\"  itemscope itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/ImageObject\"><div class=\"envira-gallery-item-inner\"><div class=\"envira-gallery-position-overlay  envira-gallery-top-left\"><\/div><div class=\"envira-gallery-position-overlay  envira-gallery-top-right\"><\/div><div class=\"envira-gallery-position-overlay  envira-gallery-bottom-left\"><\/div><div class=\"envira-gallery-position-overlay  envira-gallery-bottom-right\"><\/div><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/Trees-in-bloom-2024-rz-min.jpg?ssl=1\" class=\"envira-gallery-10427 envira-gallery-link\" rel=\"enviragallery10427\" title=\"Trees in bloom Kaliningrad 2024\" data-envira-caption=\"Trees in bloom Kaliningrad 2024\" data-envira-retina=\"\" data-thumbnail=\"\"  itemprop=\"contentUrl\"><img decoding=\"async\" id=\"envira-gallery-image-10425\" class=\"envira-gallery-image envira-gallery-image-1 envira-normal envira-lazy\" data-envira-index=\"1\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/Trees-in-bloom-2024-rz-min.jpg?fit=625%2C830&#038;ssl=1\" data-envira-src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/Trees-in-bloom-2024-rz-min.jpg?fit=625%2C830&#038;ssl=1\" data-envira-gallery-id=\"10427\" data-envira-item-id=\"10425\" data-envira-caption=\"Trees in bloom Kaliningrad 2024\" alt=\"Trees in bloom, Kaliningrad, May 2024\" title=\"Trees in bloom Kaliningrad 2024\"  itemprop=\"thumbnailUrl\" data-envira-srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/Trees-in-bloom-2024-rz-min.jpg?fit=625%2C830&#038;ssl=1 400w,https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/Trees-in-bloom-2024-rz-min.jpg?fit=625%2C830&#038;ssl=1 2x\" data-envira-width=\"226\" data-envira-height=\"300\" srcset=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAP\/\/\/\/\/\/\/yH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==\" data-safe-src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAP\/\/\/\/\/\/\/yH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==\" \/><\/a><\/div><\/div><div id=\"envira-gallery-item-10426\" class=\"envira-gallery-item enviratope-item envira-gallery-item-2 envira-lazy-load\" style=\"padding-left: 1px; padding-bottom: 1px; padding-right: 1px;\"  itemscope itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/ImageObject\"><div class=\"envira-gallery-item-inner\"><div class=\"envira-gallery-position-overlay  envira-gallery-top-left\"><\/div><div class=\"envira-gallery-position-overlay  envira-gallery-top-right\"><\/div><div class=\"envira-gallery-position-overlay  envira-gallery-bottom-left\"><\/div><div class=\"envira-gallery-position-overlay  envira-gallery-bottom-right\"><\/div><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/View-Kaliningrad-cityscape-2021-rz-min.jpg?ssl=1\" class=\"envira-gallery-10427 envira-gallery-link\" rel=\"enviragallery10427\" title=\"View Kaliningrad cityscape 2021\" data-envira-caption=\"View Kaliningrad cityscape 2021\" data-envira-retina=\"\" data-thumbnail=\"\"  itemprop=\"contentUrl\"><img decoding=\"async\" id=\"envira-gallery-image-10426\" class=\"envira-gallery-image envira-gallery-image-2 envira-normal envira-lazy\" data-envira-index=\"2\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/View-Kaliningrad-cityscape-2021-rz-min.jpg?fit=625%2C288&#038;ssl=1\" data-envira-src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/View-Kaliningrad-cityscape-2021-rz-min.jpg?fit=625%2C288&#038;ssl=1\" data-envira-gallery-id=\"10427\" data-envira-item-id=\"10426\" data-envira-caption=\"View Kaliningrad cityscape 2021\" alt=\"One view of Kaliningrad from high-rise flat window\" title=\"View Kaliningrad cityscape 2021\"  itemprop=\"thumbnailUrl\" data-envira-srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/View-Kaliningrad-cityscape-2021-rz-min.jpg?fit=625%2C288&#038;ssl=1 400w,https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/View-Kaliningrad-cityscape-2021-rz-min.jpg?fit=625%2C288&#038;ssl=1 2x\" data-envira-width=\"300\" data-envira-height=\"138\" srcset=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAP\/\/\/\/\/\/\/yH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==\" data-safe-src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAP\/\/\/\/\/\/\/yH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==\" \/><\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/Trees-in-bloom-2024-rz-min.jpg?fit=900%2C1196&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"Trees in bloom, Kaliningrad, May 2024\" \/><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/View-Kaliningrad-cityscape-2021-rz-min.jpg?fit=1290%2C595&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"One view of Kaliningrad from high-rise flat window\" \/><\/noscript><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Above: <strong>Contrasting Scenes of Kaliningrad <\/strong>{Click on images to enlarge}<strong><br><\/strong>Two cityscape views: one taken from a high-rise flat complex; the other from a balcony (May 2024), to coincide with the first blooms of <a href=\"https:\/\/expatkaliningrad.com\/ru\/kaliningrad-a-green-city\/\" title=\"spring\">spring<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Copyright \u00a9 2018-2024 Mick Hart. All rights reserved.<\/strong><\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>A few snapshots from my Kaliningrad album 22 May 2024 ~ Life in Kaliningrad through the lens of a camera They could be curated, they could be aggregated, but I suspect that they are a random collection of photographs, some more recent than others, taken in and of Kaliningrad. Judge for yourselves. Life in Kaliningrad [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":10438,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"_themeisle_gutenberg_block_has_review":false,"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[123],"tags":[601,1556,15,2348,1923,2346,2350,603,2345,55,1685,2347,2349,584],"class_list":["post-10395","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-kaliningrad-photogallery","tag-golden-shadow-of-konigsberg","tag-house-of-soviets","tag-kaliningrad","tag-kaliningrad-botanical-gardens","tag-kaliningrad-flea-market","tag-kaliningrads-trams","tag-konigsberg-villas","tag-life-in-kaliningrad","tag-life-in-kaliningrad-through-the-lens-of-a-camera","tag-mick-hart-in-kaliningrad","tag-old-tin-buckets-qr-codes","tag-the-cathedral-of-christ-the-saviour","tag-ussr-ice-cream","tag-youth-park-kaliningrad"],"aioseo_notices":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/Bird-Box-Kaliningrad-Youth-Park-min.jpg?fit=900%2C1196&ssl=1","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":13666,"url":"https:\/\/expatkaliningrad.com\/ru\/kaliningrad-zoopark-now-and-then-then-and-now\/","url_meta":{"origin":10395,"position":0},"title":"Kaliningrad Zoopark Now and Then Then and Now","author":"Captain Codpiece","date":"30 \u043e\u043a\u0442\u044f\u0431\u0440\u044f, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"Going zoolally at Kaliningrad Zoopark 30 October 2025 - Kaliningrad Zoopark Now and Then Then and Now On Kaliningrad\u2019s Prospekt Mira, across the road from the city\u2019s foremost Soviet hotel, a great imposing slab of a place called the Moscow, geometrically flanked by two curvilinear buildings, the one on the\u2026","rel":"","context":"\u0412 &quot;Uncategorized&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Uncategorized","link":"https:\/\/expatkaliningrad.com\/ru\/category\/uncategorized-en\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Bison at Kaliningrad Zoo 2024","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Bisons-Bum-at-Kaliningrad-rz-min.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Bisons-Bum-at-Kaliningrad-rz-min.jpg?resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Bisons-Bum-at-Kaliningrad-rz-min.jpg?resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Bisons-Bum-at-Kaliningrad-rz-min.jpg?resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":505,"url":"https:\/\/expatkaliningrad.com\/ru\/kaliningrad-architectural-contrasts\/","url_meta":{"origin":10395,"position":1},"title":"Kaliningrad Architectural Contrasts","author":"Captain Codpiece","date":"13 \u0444\u0435\u0432\u0440\u0430\u043b\u044f, 2020","format":false,"excerpt":"Kaliningrad a Place of Architectural Contrasts February 8th 2020 was a big day in Kaliningrad, to be more precise, it was Big Sausage Day*. Reputedly, it is the day that the ladies of Kaliningrad walk around with smiles upon their faces and quite a lot of the men most sensibly\u2026","rel":"","context":"\u0412 &quot;Kaliningrad Photogallery&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Kaliningrad Photogallery","link":"https:\/\/expatkaliningrad.com\/ru\/category\/visitors-guide-to-kaliningrad\/kaliningrad-photogallery\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"King's Gate Kaliningrad","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/Kings-Gate-Sculptures-resized.jpg?fit=1200%2C900&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/Kings-Gate-Sculptures-resized.jpg?fit=1200%2C900&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/Kings-Gate-Sculptures-resized.jpg?fit=1200%2C900&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/Kings-Gate-Sculptures-resized.jpg?fit=1200%2C900&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/Kings-Gate-Sculptures-resized.jpg?fit=1200%2C900&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":3758,"url":"https:\/\/expatkaliningrad.com\/ru\/kaliningrad-street-food-festival-a-cathedral-of-taste\/","url_meta":{"origin":10395,"position":2},"title":"Kaliningrad Street Food Festival a Cathedral of Taste","author":"Captain Codpiece","date":"17 \u043c\u0430\u044f, 2021","format":false,"excerpt":"Food festival in the grounds of K\u00f6nigsberg Cathedral Published: 17 May 2021 ~ Kaliningrad Street Food Festival On 9th May, after honouring Victory Day by paying our respects at the Mass Grave of Soviet Soldiers and the Monument to 1200 Guardsmen, we were driven by our hosts, Arthur and Inara,\u2026","rel":"","context":"\u0412 &quot;Diary 2021&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Diary 2021","link":"https:\/\/expatkaliningrad.com\/ru\/category\/kaliningrad-mick-harts-diary\/diary-2021\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Kaliningrad Street Food Festival","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/Food-Fair-Ladscape.jpg?fit=1152%2C532&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/Food-Fair-Ladscape.jpg?fit=1152%2C532&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/Food-Fair-Ladscape.jpg?fit=1152%2C532&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/Food-Fair-Ladscape.jpg?fit=1152%2C532&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/Food-Fair-Ladscape.jpg?fit=1152%2C532&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":14320,"url":"https:\/\/expatkaliningrad.com\/ru\/winter-in-kaliningrad\/","url_meta":{"origin":10395,"position":3},"title":"Winter in Kaliningrad can be both harsh and beautiful","author":"Mick","date":"24 \u0444\u0435\u0432\u0440\u0430\u043b\u044f, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"Some snowy scenes of Kaliningrad in winter. The thaw is on, but it\u2019s not spring yet!","rel":"","context":"\u0412 &quot;Kaliningrad Photogallery&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Kaliningrad Photogallery","link":"https:\/\/expatkaliningrad.com\/ru\/category\/visitors-guide-to-kaliningrad\/kaliningrad-photogallery\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Old K\u00f6nigsberg fire hydrant snow-capped: winter in Kaliningrad","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/rz-Fire-Hydrant-Kaliningrad.jpg?fit=760%2C1200&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/rz-Fire-Hydrant-Kaliningrad.jpg?fit=760%2C1200&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/rz-Fire-Hydrant-Kaliningrad.jpg?fit=760%2C1200&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/rz-Fire-Hydrant-Kaliningrad.jpg?fit=760%2C1200&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":1417,"url":"https:\/\/expatkaliningrad.com\/ru\/open-letter-to-president-trump\/","url_meta":{"origin":10395,"position":4},"title":"Open Letter to President Trump","author":"Captain Codpiece","date":"30 \u043c\u0430\u044f, 2020","format":false,"excerpt":"Dear Mr President Trump, Kaliningrad is not closed to tourism* *With due deference given to the current coronavirus situation Dear President Trump I hope you will not mind me writing an open letter to you to advise you that the advice your adviser is giving you is the wrong advice.\u2026","rel":"","context":"\u0412 &quot;Diary 2019\/2020&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Diary 2019\/2020","link":"https:\/\/expatkaliningrad.com\/ru\/category\/kaliningrad-mick-harts-diary\/diary-2019-2020\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Open Letter to President Trump","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/675px-Kaliningrad_05-2017_img04_Kant_Island.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/675px-Kaliningrad_05-2017_img04_Kant_Island.jpg?resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/675px-Kaliningrad_05-2017_img04_Kant_Island.jpg?resize=525%2C300 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":2292,"url":"https:\/\/expatkaliningrad.com\/ru\/kaliningrad-ferris-wheel-at-youth-park\/","url_meta":{"origin":10395,"position":5},"title":"Kaliningrad Ferris Wheel at Youth Park","author":"Captain Codpiece","date":"30 \u0441\u0435\u043d\u0442\u044f\u0431\u0440\u044f, 2020","format":false,"excerpt":"Kaliningrad Ferris Wheel at Youth Park Published: 30 September 2020 When I was a nipper, I would like nothing more when we visited the seaside than spending my parents\u2019 money on the funfair rides. Sea and sand are OK to look at, but I like water in tea, and I\u2026","rel":"","context":"\u0412 &quot;Kaliningrad Photogallery&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Kaliningrad Photogallery","link":"https:\/\/expatkaliningrad.com\/ru\/category\/visitors-guide-to-kaliningrad\/kaliningrad-photogallery\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Kaliningrad Ferris wheel at Youth Park","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Wheel-from-ground.jpg?fit=550%2C1200&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Wheel-from-ground.jpg?fit=550%2C1200&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Wheel-from-ground.jpg?fit=550%2C1200&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x"},"classes":[]}],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/expatkaliningrad.com\/ru\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10395","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/expatkaliningrad.com\/ru\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/expatkaliningrad.com\/ru\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/expatkaliningrad.com\/ru\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/expatkaliningrad.com\/ru\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=10395"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/expatkaliningrad.com\/ru\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10395\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/expatkaliningrad.com\/ru\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/10438"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/expatkaliningrad.com\/ru\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=10395"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/expatkaliningrad.com\/ru\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=10395"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/expatkaliningrad.com\/ru\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=10395"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}