Exposition

First and foremost, the Koenig Gate is a museum with a permanent exposition and temporary exhibitions about the origin and development of the fortress town, the visits of outstanding people, the Grand Embassy of Peter I—the origin of Russian diplomacy, embassies and consulates— and old links between Russia and this land. The Koenig

Gate is also a cultural platform, a centre of Russian and international affairs, a place for holding international partnership projects, solemn ceremonies, concerts and meetings since Koenigsberg-Kaliningrad has always served as a gate between Russia and Europe, the West and the East, due to its geographical position.

Hall 1. Fortress Town Koenigsberg

The old town serves as an exhibit, not only of the history of its foundation, fortifications and gates, but of crowned historical figures – the so-called “fathers of Koenigsberg.” A visual portion (photographs and engravings), texts (in Russian and English) and an exhibit portion (a watch-post, a carriage chest, keys, locks, door handles, bars heavy wheels, lanterns and a model of the pre-war Koenig Gate) are presented here along with a sculpture of the Prussian cat.

The visitors’ reception area is at the entrance as well as a ticket office and a souvenir shop.

Hall 2. Ceremonial Hall

This part of the exposition narrates historical links between this territory and various western and eastern countries, the visits of outstanding people, the history the Grand Embassy of Peter I, partner cities of Kaliningrad, and the embassies and consulates of Koenigsberg-Kaliningrad. A hall of affairs and partnership, its function is a representative one: international meetings, concerts of wind music and the signing of documents are held here. There is antique furniture, E. Bogdanov’s picture Visit of Peter I in Koenigsberg on May 7, 1697, boat models of the St. George galleon and the ROYAL TRANSPORT yacht, a copy of a XYII-century cut ruby—the so-called royal amber, the ship cannon shuvalov’s unicorn, a copy of Catherine’s II sculptural portrait (by F. Shubin, XYIII century, Russia), a copy of Peter’s I sculptural portrait (by E. Zocchi, XIX century, Florence) and a scroll with the family names of people who visited Koenigsberg during different periods.

Hall 3. Kaliningrad – the Gate from Russia to Europe

This is an exhibition and presentation hall. Modern Kaliningrad is an open gate from Russia to Europe and from Europe to Russia, a city built on crossroads and linked to many countries; a sea, air and railway gate. Here visitors can see how the destroyed gate was restored in under the allotted time and watch a film about restoration and the history of the Koenig Gate. A showcase of the book The City of My Dream with best wishes to the city and the next generation was sealed up for 25 years and is presented in this hall, too. A film about the restoration of the Koenig Gate is played on a plasma display.

An exhibition devoted to the history of the Koenigsberg Castle is located on the first floor.