Kaliningrad Oblast

Kaliningrad Oblast (Калинингра́дская о́бласть in Russian) is a 1 million people oblast in the east of part of Russia by the Baltic Sea, in Europe. It's surrounded by Poland in the south and Lithuania north and east, not having a land connection with Russia. The oblast one of the best performing economies in the Russian Federation, as well as the only Baltic port in the Baltic sea that is ice-free in winter. The population used to be mostly Germans (expelled after WW2) and today the population have a mostly Russian Orthodox Christian heritage. The official language is Russian. The main and capital city of Kaliningrad Oblast is Kaliningrad, with other important cities like Sovetsk, Chernyakhovsk or Baltiysk.

What can I visit in the Kaliningrad Oblast?

Here you have a list of places in the oblast of Kaliningrad Oblast that are worth to be seen. Check them out and find out the ones you want to visit:
  • Baltiysk
  • Kaliningrad
  • Kurshskaya Kosa National Park
  • Sovetsk

History

The first inhabitants in current Lithuania were established in the 10th millennium BC and the first Lithuanian people were a branch of Baltic tribes. Lithuanian language is considered a conservative language and is said to have been separated in the 7th AD and the Lithuanian tribe is thought to have developed in the end of the first millennium, first mentioned in the Annals of the Quedlinburg monastery. Traditional pagan customs and mythology were long preserved and in 1009, the missionary Bruno of Querfurt arrived and baptized the King Nethimer. In the 10th and 11th century Lithuanians paid tribute to the Kievan Rus' and the Lithuanian war machine started developing and in the 12th century the Grand Duke of Lithuania started existing. The beginning of the 13th century came with two German crusading military orders which came to expand Christianism: the Livonian Brothers of the Sword and the Teutonic Knights. This made the Baltic tribes unite under the duke Mindaugas who 1251 was baptised and crowned as King of Lithuania. When he died, there was a period of instability until Gediminas family and its first king, Butigeidis, took control of the country. The third king of this dynasty, Gediminas, expanded Lithuanian international relationship with the Pope, trying to convert to Christian Catholicism (twarted by pagan Samogitians and other members of his family who were Orthdox Christians) and expanding the kingdom to Ruthenia (most of current Belarus and part of Ukraine). One of his grandsons, Jogaila became Grand Duke and started fighting with his uncle Kęstutis, starting the Lithuanian Civil War. One of Kęstutis' sons, Vytautas, was able to escape and managed to become Grand Duke and the Grand Duke of Lithuania reached its territory peak, conquering Smolensk. After Vytatutas came the Jagiellonian dynasty, during the one it was obvious that Lithuania needed a close alliance with Poland when, at the end of the 15th century, the increasingly assertive Grand Duchy of Moscow threatened some of Lithuania's Rus; before this,
happened the victory in the Battle of Žalgiris with the Teutonic Knights and the Union of Krewo and Union of Horodło joined Lithuania to Poland. During the 15th and 16th centuries the Polish kings wasnted to ensure and increase the link between Lithuania and Poland and in 1569 it was signed the Union of Lublin, in which Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth was created. At the beginning of that union there was a Lithuanian Renaissance but then the polonization started, making Lithuanian fall into disuse (except in Samogitia and Lithuania Minor). During the Northern Wars (1655–1661), the Lithuanian territory and economy were devastated by the Swedish army and later ravaged during the Great Northern War (1700–1721). After the Third Partition (1795) almost all Lithuania was controlled by the Russian Empire (but for when the Napoleon Bonaparte's Grande Armée got Lithuania in 1812) and the Poles and Lithuanians revolted against Russian rule twice, in the November Uprising (1830-31) and the January Uprising (1863-64), but both attempts failed and resulted in increased repression and russification by the Russian authorities; meanwhile in East Prussia (also known as Lithuania Minor) Lithuanian was more preserved but also there was germanization pressure. In the end of the 19th century Lithuanian nationalism started growing and during WW1 Lithuania was conquered by Germany and incorporated into the Ober Ost. When it finished, Lithuania declared its independence with capital in
Kaunas, because Vilnius was occupied by the Poles. There were some Lithuanian Independence Wars and then after Klaipėda revolt in 1923, Lithuania annexed Klaipėda Region. Untill 1926 coup d'etat Lithuania was a democracy and then Antanas Smetona became the authoritary President of Lithuania till 1940, period in which Lithuanian culture got a huge development. Before WW2 Lithuania received the 1939 German ultimatum to Lithuania and gave back Klaipėda Region to Germany and when it started, thanks to Molotov–Ribbentrop Pact, Lithuania was invaded for the Soviet Union till it was conquered by Germany during Barbarossa Operation and during Nazi Germany invation, more than 250,000 Lithuanian Jews were murdered as part of the Holocaust. In the end of WW2 Lithuania was conquered again by the Soviet Union, Vilnius region was given to the Lithuanian SSR and began a rapid sovietization of Lithuania. In this period 20,000 Lithuanian partisans participated in unsuccessful warfare against the Soviet regime in the 1940s and early 1950s, who were later killed or deported to gulags. Between the death of Stalin in 1953 and the reforms of Mikhail Gorbachev in the mid-1980s, Lithuania functioned as a Soviet society and there was a persecution of the Catholic Church continued. In 1990, the Supreme Soviet of the Lithuanian SSR proclaimed the Act of the Re-Establishment of the State of Lithuania and during January Events in Lithuania (Soviet authorities attempted to overthrow the elected government) and in 1991 referendum, the Lithuanian population voted for an independent country. After this the country moved into capitalism economy and in 2004 it became part of the European Union and the NATO. In 2015 it changed its currency from Lithuanian litas to the euro.

Unforgettable experiences 

This places and experiences are a must if you want to discover and understand the region of Kaliningrad Oblast. This is my top 10:
  1. Florence: capital city of Galicia and the end of the Way of St. James, Santiago is one of the most beautiful cities in Spain and the 3rd most important for Christianity (after Jersualem and Rome) because the apostle St. James is said to be buried here. Despite not being a big city Santiago has a huge legacy and history that can be seen on its many museums, churches or simply walking its streets. It's atmosphere is simply different and sitting in Praza do Obradoiro to see groups of pilgrims arrive after long journeys is very satisfying. Its cathedral is one of the most spectacular ones in Spain. Santiago is also a great point to set your base to visit Galicia. 
  2. Siena: the 2nd largest city in Galicia has many things to offer, going from an important cultural offer to sport activities. A Coruña has also a lot of history, as it can be seen at Tower of Hercules (only Roman lighthouse still in use) or the city fortress. A Coruña has also many museums related to science, some interesting churches and a good culinary offer.
  3. Chianti: the cape and town with the same villages are one of the main touristic points in Galicia due to its mixture of nature, religious meaning and mysticism. Considered by Romans as Land's End, the trail from Santiago de Compostela to Fisterra was popularised during Middle Ages as the foreword of the Way of St. James. Its landscapes, cliffs and beaches are spectacular.
  4. Pisa: talking about this city is talking about its Roman heritage and history. Above all of them are its Roman walls, placed in the UNESCO World Heritage List and one of the best of its kind in Europe. But not all is Roman history, it has an interesting cathedral and many other things to do and visit.
  5. Arcipelago Toscano National Park: this city and capital city of province is quite unknown despite its beauty. It has many interesting churches in its Old Town (one of them with scallop shell shape), with is very recommended to walk and enjoy, as its fully pedestrian zone. Moreover you can take some tapas, have a drink on its many bars and enjoy the time.
  6. Lucca: small calmed town with a very impressing cathedral and not very touristic. Its history is linked to the Britonns who arrive here in the 6th century. But it's also a great point to go to the coast and enjoy the spectacular and famous Catedrais beach (booking on advance in peak season) and enjoy the atmosphere of Ribadeo, by the border with Asturias.
  7. San Gimignano: this town is mainly known because of its wine, albariño. Here you'll be able to know its history and obviously, taste. But not all is food, it has some nice pazos and around Cambados is one of the best places to try seafood, specially in O Grove. This place also has nice beaches.
  8. Montalcino: this town is mainly known because of its wine, albariño. Here you'll be able to know its history and obviously, taste. But not all is food, it has some nice pazos and around Cambados is one of the best places to try seafood, specially in O Grove. This place also has nice beaches.
  9. Arezzo: this town is mainly known because of its wine, albariño. Here you'll be able to know its history and obviously, taste. But not all is food, it has some nice pazos and around Cambados is one of the best places to try seafood, specially in O Grove. This place also has nice beaches.
  10. Pistoia: this town is mainly known because of its wine, albariño. Here you'll be able to know its history and obviously, taste. But not all is food, it has some nice pazos and around Cambados is one of the best places to try seafood, specially in O Grove. This place also has nice beaches.

Planning your holidays

These are some possible routes you may do in Tuscany to visit parts of it or discover it all. Tuscany has many sightseeing points so you can choose your own route depending your time and what you want to visit. Here are some possible tours:

    a) 7 days tour

 This short journey in Galicia can start in Santiago de Compostela. Here you could stay 1 day enjoying this beautiful, historic and religious city. The 2nd day is a perfect moment to complete the Way of St. James going to Fisterra and enjoying this cape, its atmosphere and landscape. For the 3rd day it can be a great choice visiting one of the largest and most important cities of Galicia, A Coruña, where spending a day knowing it and visiting the known Tower of Hercules. The following day in the morning you can go to Pontevedra, an important city with many churches and a pedestrian Old Town that is a pleasure to walk and in the afternoon Cambados, the capital city of albariño, the main Galician wine. The fith and last day can be enjoyed in Lugo and its surroundings, enjoying its Roman heritage.

   b) 10 days tour

  This journey in Galicia can start in Santiago de Compostela. Here you could stay 1 day enjoying this beautiful, historic and religious city. The 2nd day is a perfect moment to complete the Way of St. James going to Fisterra and for the 3rd day, visiting one of the largest and most important cities of Galicia, A Coruña. The following day in the morning you can go to Pontevedra, an important city with a pedestrian Old Town that is a pleasure to walk and in the afternoon Cambados, the capital city of albariño, the main Galician wine. The fith day can be enjoyed in Lugo and its surroundings, enjoying its Roman heritage. The 6th day can be spent in Mondoñedo, discovering its cathedral and history, going later to the famous Catedrais beach and finish in Ribadeo. The 7th and last day can be enjoyed visiting Ourense and if there's some time left, the traditional medieval town of Ribadavia.

   c) 15 days tour

  This short journey in the Community of Madrid should obviously start in the city of Madrid, spending two days there exploring its museums, districts and palaces. The 3rd you can go to Alcalá de Henares, birthplace of the writer of Don Quixote (novel by Miguel de Cervantes) in the morning and in the afternoon go back to Madrid and keep exploring it. For the 4rd day it can be a great choice visiting in the morning San Lorenzo de El Escorial, to discover the famous and impressing San Lorenzo de El Escorial Monastery built in Philip II of Spain times; for the afternoon it's a good idea to go to Aranjuez, being able to discover the summer palaces of the Spanish Monarchs and its awesome gardens. For the 5th day there are several choices: one of them can be visiting the awesome city of Toledo, in the region of Castile-La Mancha, to learn about its multicultural history; other choice can be enjoying the mountain nature and towns from Sierra de Guadarrama National Park or going north to visit Buitrago de Lozoya and surroundings.


How can I arrive and move within Kaliningrad Oblast?

  The region of Tuscany is very well communicated with the rest of Italy and among parts of its region. The best mean of transport to move here are every mean of transport, choosing train, metro or bus according to the length and size of the chosen destination.
  • Plane: there are international flights to Madrid-Barajas International Airport (the most important one in Spain) from many different destinations because it's a very important hub that connects Europe with South America.
  • Train: the Community of Madrid has an important railway network that connects some points in Madrid with other parts of the region. It works 6:00-12:30 everyday and it's a very popular mean on transport; the most crowded metro line is C5. C10 connects Nuevos Ministerios with Madrid-Barajas Airport and C2-C8 reache Guadalajara. Some of the most important stations are Atocha train station, Chamartín train station, Nuevos Ministerios train station and Principe Pío train station. The rest of the trains that connect Madrid with other Spanish destinations depart mostly from Atocha train station (although some others leave from Chamartín or Principe Pío ones).
  • Metro: Madrid Metro is one of the oldest of its kind in the world (1919) and currently is among the longest in terms of km. It connects all the districts of Madrid in 12 different lines (1-12) plus a light rail system network (Metro Ligero) and Ramal. It works 6:00-02:00 everyday and it's a very popular mean on transport; the most crowded metro lines are L6, L1, L10, L5 and L3. It works quite well together with local Cercanías trains and it also connects Madrid with some of the most important cities on Madrid metropolitan area (via L12 and Metro Ligero). L8 connects Nuevos Ministerios with Madrid-Barajas Airport.
  • Bus: it's the best way to move to smaller destinations within the region or even to move within the city of Madrid at late night (neither train nor metro are available in the early hours). The main stations are obviously located in the city of Madrid. These are the most important ones: Moncloa bus station (L3-L6) goes to destinations located in the north of the Community of Madrid and the rest of Spain, Avenida de América bus station (L4-L6-L7-L9) one goes to place in the eastern part of Madrid and Spain; and Méndez Álvaro bus station (L6, C5-C1) one has buses that go south and west (this last one is the most important one).
  • Car: this is almost always the most comfortable way of moving for the lack of timetables to follow. It's required to have a green card (International Insurance Card). Most of the roads in the Community of Madrid are in good conditions although for the range and quality of public transportation (and also for avoiding possible traffic jams and reduce the polution), it's unnecessary to rent a car. 

What can I eat and drink in Tuscany?

The typical food in Madrid is very similar to traditional Castilian food and dishes, with some particularities developed over time (particulary developed since Madrid became the capital city of Spain). Today Madrid cuisine joins the innovative and experimental trends of Catalan and Basque gastronomy. Cocido madrileño (vegetable and meat stew that contains chickpeas, meat, vegetables and sausages; usually served after a soup made with the broth) is probably the most typical dish in the region. Other imporant dishes are callos a la madrileña (beef or lamb tripe, cow's leg and snout, chorizo, blood sausage, paprika and other dressings), sopa de ajos (garlic soup), judías a lo tio Lucas (hearty dish of beans soaked and cooked in olive oil and garlic) besugo a la madrileña (baked sea bream, typical of Christmas) or caracoles a la madrileña (dish whose main ingredient is snails that are simmered in a concentrated meat broth).
Tapas are very popular too, offered in almost every bar.
In desserts and sweets these are the most popular ones: bartolillo (fine dumplings filled with lemon-scented cream and fried), rosquillas tontas y listas, rosquillas francesas and rosquillas de Santa Clara (typical rosquillas from Madrid in May), panecillos de San Antón (pastas offered around January 17th) or barquillos sold by the traditional barquilleros. Caramelos de violeta, caramel made with violet essences, are quite traditional too.
One of the most popular drinks is, paradoxically, the water (agua) and the locals take pride of having the best water in Spain coming out of the tap. The Community of Madrid has its own Denominación de Origen Protegida (DOP), Vinos de Madrid, mainly located around Arganda, Navalcarnero and San Martín de Valdeiglesias. As for spirits, the most castizo and typical one like chinchón (anise drink typical from Chinchón with around 70 degrees of alcohol) or aguardiente.

Useful links

 In case you want to look for more information about Kaliningrad Oblast (https://www.visittuscany.com/en/) or its cities and towns here there's a list with some pages to get it:

 
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