Svetlogorsk

Introducing Svetlogorsk

A pleasant but sleepy town on the edge of the sea, Svetlogorsk (formerly Rauschen, founded in 1228) lies just 35km northwest of Kaliningrad and makes for a quick and pleasant getaway from the city. The narrow beach is backed by steep sandy slopes, and pretty wooden houses set among tree-lined streets dot the little town. Avid sunbathers head to Zelenogradsk or the Kurshkaya Kosa for heavier beach action.

The city was fairly untouched by WWII. On Oktyabrskaya ul is a 25m water tower and the curious red-tile-domed Jugendstil (Art Nouveau) bathhouse. About 200m east of the main beach promenade is an impressive, colourful sundial, believed to be the largest in Europe.

At the eastern end of ul Lenina there is a Commemorative Chapel, opened in 1994 on the former site of a kindergarten. It is a memorial to the 23 children and 11 adults who died after an A-26 Soviet military transport plane crashed into the building. The tragedy was hushed up for almost 20 years and only came to light when the Orthodox Church built the chapel.

On ul Lenina, by turning right at the soccer fields, you'll soon reach an Organ Hall(21761; ul Kurortnaya), where you can hear concerts of Bach, Handel and others throughout the week. Most begin at 5pm.

Last updated: Feb 17, 2009