Kurortny Prospekt (Resort Avenue)

13 points1 km1 hour

Route author

Susanin Team

Things to do

📜 Learn the city's history
🏛️🕰️ Compare the eras

Route points (13)

Kurhaus in Zelenogradsk

Point on route “Kurortny Prospekt (Resort Avenue)”

Point 11

Kurhaus

🏟️ Architectural landmark • 📜 Historic site

Historical Background

The German word “Kurhaus” literally means “spa house.” In Germany and East Prussia this title went to a resort's main hotel, the center of its social life. For Cranz (today's Zelenogradsk), that place was the Grosses Logir und Neues Kurhaus hotel at 38 Königsberger Strasse, now 16 Kurortny Prospekt. According to information the State Archive of the Kaliningrad Region received in 2017 from a descendant of Gustav Kronhagel, the last owner of the Kurhaus, the hotel officially opened on June 16, 1904. Gustav Kronhagel owned the Kurhaus from 1919 to 1945.

Architecture

The Kurhaus was built in the so-called Nordic Art Nouveau style. The building has flowing lines, harmonious materials and an interesting facade. This style avoids loud colors and heavy ornament: think a slender facade, tall turrets and bay windows, and windows of many different shapes. Natural materials were used in construction: stone, wood and metal. All this makes the house feel cozy yet simple and understated.

Story

The Kurhaus had a large, well-stocked reading room with about 90 daily newspapers and illustrated magazines. Before World War I you could even find around 15 Russian newspapers here. The reading room was open from 8 a.m. to noon and from 2 to 8 p.m. Behind the hotel was a large park with rare trees. The park was lit by gas lamps, and tubs of exotic plants lined its paths. A local band played in the music pavilion, and on Sundays an orchestra performed. The summer theater's stage hosted plays by the local theater society, as well as literary and musical evenings.