The Past…

The most mysterious gates of Koenigsberg-Kaliningrad recall the existence of the Fredericksburg fortress. The fortress itself was a square with four earth-to-rockfill bastions – Ruby, Emerald, Diamond and Pearl. Nobody knows why these names have appeared. But Koenigsbergers joked that the fortress was very expensive and that was why the bastions got such names. The fort blocked the entrance from the Pregol river and controlled ships’ routes to the haven of Koenigsberg. The fort secured the town not only from external invasions but also provided order inside the town: there are many tales about how irreconcilable were the dwellers of Altstadt, Kneiphof and Loebenicht. It was the most modern fortress of those times. Peter I met it on his way to Koenigsberg with the Grand Moscow Embassy. There, in the Fredericksburg fortress, Peter mastered his artillery skills. Saint-Petersburg started from the Petropavlovskaya fortress which was similar to the Fredericksburg one. By the way, it would have been the 350th anniversary of the fortress. But in 1910 this beautiful citadel was demolished, the gates were saved as a monument by the decision of Koenigsberg magistrate.

Time and inactivity damaged the historical monument – in the postwar period the gates suffered more than from bombing by the British aviation. Just after the WW II the Gates and the neighboring territory became the property of a motor transport organization and later, the property of a tourist firm.

The present…

In March, 2007, the Fredericksburg Gates were passed to the Museum of the World ocean. Anti-damage works and preparation for restoration were the first step. Before the monument was preserved for a winter period a community work day was held and the museum staff took part in it. As for the restoration, the first object to restore is the rotten southern-eastern tower and circular stairs inside it. Brickwork will be also cleaned from fungi and impregnated with special composition. It is planned to restore a moat, a lift bridge and an inner yard in the nearest future.

After the restoration works it is planned to create an exposition devoted to the history of the fortress, Peter I (a founder of the Russian Fleet) and nautical science. Boat models will be located on the territory of 4000 square km. At the present moment negotiations are being held regarding reconstruction of the historical ship of the Peter’s epoch. It is also planned to hold holidays and historical reconstructions with pyrotechnics – Peter the Great studied fireworks just at this place. Children’s playing complex and a café with seaside cuisine will be located in the historical and culture centre.