Zelenogradsk (; ; ; Lithuanian and Old Prussian: Krantas) is a town and the administrative center of Zelenogradsky District in Kaliningrad Oblast, Russia, located north of Kaliningrad, on the Sambia Peninsula coastline near the Curonian Spit on the Baltic Sea. Population:
In its heyday, Zelenogradsk (as Cranz) was a popular seaside resort on Germany's eastern Baltic coast, comparable to Bognor Regis in England. However, at the end of World War II, the Soviets took over the town, and much of its tourist traffic has been diverted to nearby Svetlogorsk.
From the 18th century it formed part of the Kingdom of Prussia, in 1758–1762 it was under Russian Empire control, and from 1871 it was also part of German Empire, within which it was administratively located in the province of East Prussia. During the 19th century, Cranz became the primary seaside resort for the Kingdom of Prussia on the East Prussian coastline, especially after the construction of a railway line connecting it with Königsberg (now Kaliningrad) in 1885. From 1816 to 1895, it was known as das königliche Bad, or "the royal bathing resort". In the late 19th century, the settlement was inhabited by more than 1,000 people, mainly living off tourism, however, the fishing industry remained strong. There was trade in flounder and salmon; smoked flounder was a regional delicacy. Two annual fairs were held, usually in July and August. Although Cranz had over 6,000 inhabitants by the start of World War II, it has not yet received a town privileges.
The area was overrun by the Soviet Union Red Army during World War II and annexed to the Russian SFSR, although it suffered minimally through warfare. The German population fled during the evacuation of East Prussia or was subsequently expelled in accordance with the Potsdam Agreement. Cranz was renamed Zelenogradsk in 1946
In 2015, a monument of poet Adam Mickiewicz was erected in the town to commemorate his visit in 1824.
Within the framework of municipal divisions, since May 15, 2015, the territories of the town of district significance of Zelenogradsk and of four selsoviet of Zelenogradsky District are incorporated as Zelenogradsky Urban Okrug.Law #420 Before that, the town of district significance was incorporated within Zelenogradsky Municipal District as Zelenogradskoye Urban Settlement.
Former twin towns:
In March 2022, the Polish city of Braniewo terminated its partnership with Zelenogradsk as a reaction to the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine.
Administrative and municipal status
Tourism
Notable people
Twin towns and sister cities
Notes
Sources
External links
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