The town of Zelenogradsk, Kaliningrad region
I have a rare book in my home library – an “Illustrated guide to overseas health spas”, published in Berlin in 1911. Our Zelenogradsk, however, under the former German name Cranz is mentioned there.What is said about the town in the guide? “Cranz is situated 14 miles away from the city of Konigsberg. Sea waves are very strong, so swimming in Cranz is not yielding to swimming in the German Sea. The climate, refreshing and firming, is softened by the proximity of large spruce and pine forests. The temperature is moderate. Between the baths on the banks there is an open for 900 meters of length square for walks, four spa doctors and a pharmacy. Electric and gas lighting. A lot of apartments (for rent). Entertainments: concerts, horse racing, tennis competitions, dances, field trips, boat riding.” As well as other useful information, including the cost of mud baths.
I have visited Zelenogradsk and found that for 100 years this pretty little town has not changed. The same strong wave, the same refreshing fragrance of pine and spruce forests. Physicians and pharmacies become more – progress is evident! Boat riding has, apparently, been canceled. Unprofitable. Buy inflatable boats and ride on your own.
And it also seemed to me that in the city there is no hand of the master. The seal of neglect is present almost everywhere. The town does not exactly match the western standards for the resort. The photo of “Yard with socks” is a symbolic image of this city. Due to the lack of comfort and affordable prices, many residents of Kaliningrad prefer to spend their holidays in Germany, Poland and Egypt. I, frankly speaking, still hope that things in Zelenogradsk will change for the better. And then I would have no doubts regarding the place to spend the next summer.
