←Svetlogorsk: The Essentials

Svetlogorsk: The Essentials

Photo of route “Svetlogorsk: The Essentials”
15 points5 km2.5 hours

The city's most important sights, history, and legends. Here you'll learn everything you need to know about Svetlogorsk, the former German town of Rauschen, and its most popular spots.

Route author

Susanin Team

Things to do

  • 📜 Learn the city's history
  • 🏞️ Enjoy the view
  • 🏛️🕰️ Compare the eras

Route points (15)

  1. Water Tower — point on route “Svetlogorsk: The Essentials”

    Water Tower

    🏟️ Architectural landmark · 📜 Historic site · ⚙️ Industrial site

  2. Seestern Hotel — point on route “Svetlogorsk: The Essentials”

    Seestern Hotel

    🏟️ Architectural landmark · 📜 Historic site

  3. Larch Park — point on route “Svetlogorsk: The Essentials”

    Larch Park

    🌿 Public garden or park

  4. The Water Carrier — point on route “Svetlogorsk: The Essentials”

    The Water Carrier

    🗿 Monument · 🕵️ Urban legend

  5. Cittaslow Snail — point on route “Svetlogorsk: The Essentials”

    Cittaslow Snail

    🗿 Monument · 🕵️ Urban legend

  6. Forest Castle Guesthouse — point on route “Svetlogorsk: The Essentials”

    Forest Castle Guesthouse

    📜 Historic site · 🏟️ Architectural landmark

  7. Central Square — point on route “Svetlogorsk: The Essentials”

    Central Square

    ⛲ Square · 🗿 Sculptures · 🏟️ Architectural landmark

  8. The Wave Maiden — point on route “Svetlogorsk: The Essentials”

    The Wave Maiden

    🗿 Monument

  9. Makarov Organ Hall — point on route “Svetlogorsk: The Essentials”

    Makarov Organ Hall

    🏟️ Architectural landmark · 📜 Historic site

  10. Amber Hall — point on route “Svetlogorsk: The Essentials”

    Amber Hall

    🏙 Modern architecture

  11. Elevator and Promenade — point on route “Svetlogorsk: The Essentials”

    Elevator and Promenade

    ⚙️ Industrial site · 🚶‍♂️ Waterfront

  12. Chapel in Memory of the Children — point on route “Svetlogorsk: The Essentials”

    Chapel in Memory of the Children

    🕍 Place of worship · 📜 Historic site

  13. Lutheran Church — point on route “Svetlogorsk: The Essentials”

    Lutheran Church

    🕍 Place of worship · 🏟️ Architectural landmark · 📜 Historic site

  14. Lake Tikhoye — point on route “Svetlogorsk: The Essentials”

    Lake Tikhoye

    🌿 Public garden or park · 🚶‍♂️ Waterfront

  15. Svetlo-hedgehogs — point on route “Svetlogorsk: The Essentials”

    Svetlo-hedgehogs

    🗿 Sculptures

Lutheran Church in Svetlogorsk

Point on route “Svetlogorsk: The Essentials”

Lutheran Church — point on route “Svetlogorsk: The Essentials”

Point 13

Lutheran Church

🕍 Place of worship • 🏟️ Architectural landmark • 📜 Historic site

Overview

The Church of St. Seraphim of Sarov is Rauschen's former Lutheran church (Kirche). A beautiful building on a hill surrounded by forest.

Historical Background

The church was built in 1907 in the Gothic Revival style (all those spires and stone foundations) with elements of Art Nouveau. In 1917 two of its three bells were handed over for the army's needs: Germany in World War I was short of nonferrous metal. After 1945, in Soviet times, the church was converted into a gym. Only in 1992 did the building become a church again, though now an Orthodox one.

Inside

Look inside to appreciate the combination of pointed Gothic windows with pines visible through them and Orthodox icons. A contrast of cultures so characteristic of all the towns of the Kaliningrad Region.