The Cathedral's History

Inner Space

Stained-Glass Windows

Stained-glass window is a work of decorative art with graphic or ornamental composition. It is made of colored glass and jointed by plumbeous streak.  In early Christian churches it was made by petals of alabaster.

In German churches stained-glass windows appeared in X-XII centuries. Red and blue colors were predominant there. Great artists worked with stained-glass windows, for example, A. Dourer. Like the other medieval churches Cathedral was decorated with stained-glass windows, which always played the important role in interior. In the beginning of XX century there were no stained-glass windows in Cathedral. For a pity, we don’t know anything precise about them. There isn’t a lot of information in historic sources. The old stained-glass windows were removed without  documentary fixation, so we know only about their subject matter. The new stained-glass windows, located in the main  nave, obviously repeated  biblical  stories.

We can see the illustrations to the pages of New Covenant: “Jesus Birth”, “The Magi’s Worship” and “ Twelve-year-old Jesus In Church”. Three Masonic lodges ordered the stained-glass window named “The Christening In  Jordan”. “The Highland  Sermon” was paid by Den Schlobitten, “Christ and  Samaritan” – by Count Stolberg Wernigerode, “The Saint Peter” – by Count Doenhoff. There was also the stained-glass window “Iair’s Daughter Resurrection” paid by Count Groeben, “Christ’s Entry In The Town” paid by Kaiser  Wilhelm. Count Lendorf ordered the stained-glass window “ Jesus Praying”, the next – “The Crucifixion”- was ordered by Count Eulenburg. “Christ’s Resurrection” was the last stained-glass window. It was paid by Count Schlesien. We know the names of foreman who worked with stained-glass windows: Bush (invited foreman from Munich) and Linemann (invited foreman from Frankfort on the Main).

Behind the altar part stained-glass windows reminded the history of  Prussia. The North part was devoted to the founders of Cathedral and the Leaders of Teutonic Order.  The stained-glass windows on the South side were devoted to the Hohenzollern buried in Cathedral. The first was stained-glass window with duke Albrecht’s arms, and then with Albreсht Fredric’s arms, margrave Wilhelm’s arms and Wilhelm II’s arms.

Having reconstructed Cathedral we try to keep the tradition of “personal interest” – the work of foreman can be paid by organizations and personalities.

Organ

Cathedral can’t exist without music. The organ is like its heart. The history of Cathedral organ’s building is connected with Cathedral’s beginning. In German history of Cathedral there were some small organs during the first stages of building, but only in XVIII century the big organ in baroque style appeared. After War with the beginning of new Cathedral’s history there was placed an electric organ. In 2007 sounded the united organ complex of Cathedral. Technical features of united organ complex impress: the big organ has 6301 trumpets; the small organ has 2224 trumpets. Common quantity of registers is 122. The big organ has 4 fingerboards and 1 pedal. The small organ has 2 fingerboards and 1 pedal. All organ electronic complex is made by German enterprise “Otto Heuss”. This is the biggest organ of last generation in Russia and Europe. Two organ can sounds separately and together, the are interconnected like communicating vessels. Above the organ rises fiery-red bird Phoenix – the symbol of eternal Resurrection. It shows that good feelings in people’s hearts are alive.

All trumpets, air system were made by German enterprise “Alexander Schuke”. The structure of organ was made by Kaliningrad Company “The Smithy in the Street Pechatnaya”. The decorative part was reconstructed by Kaliningrad engravers from furniture plant “Maxic”. In such a way took place Russian-German collaboration in organ’s reconstruction.

Epitaphes

On Epitaphes

Epitaph (greek “Epitaphios”) is an inscription on a grave. The appearance of epitaphs dates to antiquity. In ancient Greece epitaphs became to be written in a poetical style. This tradition was adopted by Romans. Nowadays the custom of indicating of the deceased’s dates of living is kept by all cultural peoples. Also we can meet the epitaphs with information about an occupation or the periods of life.

Cathedral is not only a monument of world architecture. It is a memorial with European meaning. The thought about possible prolongation of life occupied not the last place in medieval human mind. The care for their own immortalization and immortalization of their relatives in monuments was connected with this fact. There were more than hundred monuments and epitaphs, made in different art level and located both on inside and outside walls.

Epitaphes Outside

	1. The epitaph of Ursulla Pudlitz, nee Grunberg, wife of Landfonga Vedigo Hans Pudlitz, died on March, 8, 1612.
	2. The epitaph of Albrecht Baron Kitelitz, regent and Landgofmaster.
	3. The epitaph of  Celestine Kovalevskij, the honorable professor of jurisprudence of University and the assistant to chairman of a Prussian Consistory.
	4. The epitaph of  Andreus Fabricius, the keeper of library of University, the vice-chancellor margrave Brandenburg.
	5. The epitaph of Christophore Prace and his wife Eufimia Stolpiana.
	6. The epitaph of Matias Stoius.
	7. The epitaph of Susan Kalkshtein, nee of Kreitzen.
	8. Epitaph: Johann von Kreutzen
	9. The accessory (belonging) is not established.
	10. The epitaph of Sarah Brigelia, the wet nurse of Princess Sofia.

Epitaphes Inside

Radzwills Epitaphes

Boguslav Radzivill was known as the active patron of all Protestants in Kingdom of Poland, first of all in Lithuania. Calvinist schools in Кейданы and Slutsk have been created with the help of his money. For Slutsk grammar schools prince Boguslav has bought good library in cost of four thousand zloties which was kept up to now in structure of Vilensk Synod library. Unfortunately, after the Second World war these epitaphs on internal walls of the Cathedral have considerably suffered from a fire caused by bombing attacks of the English aircraft, marble epitaph to Ann Mary has changed color, and epitaph to Boguslav has come off the basis and has fallen the text downwards, that has rescued it from utter annihilation by fire.

Works on restoration of epitaphes and its financing was carried out by the Ministry for culture and a national heritage of Republic Poland, and as Fund of culture and art without borders.

Epitaph for Duke Albrecht

The epitaph of duke Albrecht I Brandenburg (May, 17, 1490 - March, 20, 1568), the son of margrave Friedrich Andshakh from Gogentsollerns. The gravestone has been made by Danish master Jakob Vinkson - pupil of Durer in Antwerp and established in 1570. It has been destroyed within the Second World War. The epitaph was made of a black marble. During regenerative works is also used the black marble (”Negro Marquina”) and plaster for external elements of a decor. It was three stages on restoration of Albrecht gravestone. The sculptural composition is in a stage of development. Unfortunately, after the Second World war, all advantages of epitaph as subject of art have been lost. Masters from Kaliningrad have faced with a problem of the most exact display of a sculptural composition. Firm "OC Gran-Mar", director Beljaev I.A., is engaged in restoration of a gravestone of Albrecht.

Chapels

About the Chapels

In 1992 when the group of enthusiasts for the first time has come to the Cathedral, it represented a sad show. Heaps of dust, walls, overgrew with vegetation , the fallen vaults.   It was necessary to begin with something. At absence of financing the few have agreed to work on naked enthusiasm or with scanty payment. Everybody promised to give money but as soon as reached a concrete payment, bashfully hid eyes. Restorers have started with small - with clearing rooms of a tower part, boiler and another spaces. The dust which was there, was necessary to empty within a month.

At once, without someone's special instructions restores have decided to arrange two Christian chapels: orthodox and Protestant as a symbol of reconciliation of two peoples. Then in the concept of use of the Cathedral, the authorized administration, this idea has found support. But the concept have developed and have accepted much later.

Orthodox Chapel

There is the Orthodox chapel in the left part of a ground floor of a cathedral consecrated in honor of healer Pantelejmon by bishop Baltic and Kaliningrad Pantelejmon in 1994. It was agreed before its creation, that all furniture of an orthodox chapel should be got not due to the state, not for budgetary money, but received from donators, from orthodox people. Bishop Baltic Pantelejmon repeatedly came and observed how the works that is done in a chapel are, gave advice. We, builders, not too well understood church ceremonies and canons, and advice of bishop were necessary for us. In a chapel it is possible to bow to an icon of Divine Mother «The Indestructible Wall », created on similarity of Kiev icon of the Sofia cathedral - the main Cathedral of Ancient Russia. The icon represents the patroness of Russia, Saint Virgin Mary praying for us. To the right of her - healer Pantelejmon and at the left - Nikolay Chudotvorets. The icon is made from smalto by Kaliningrad artist Alexander Pister. That seven centuries ago the Cathedral constructed in the name of Maria Virgin, bodies Jesus Christ's Sirs and all sacred, began the restoration today from creation and consecration of an icon of Divine Mother. There is the wooden crucifixion in a chapel executed in style of North-Russian art of woodcarving, under the order of L. P. Gorbenko by sculptor Nikolay Frolov and later is made out a picture of Ancient Jerusalem at the moment of Jesus Christ's execution.

Nikolay Frolov has created also an icon « The Christ's Revival» on a stained-glass window. There are many ancient icons here - gifts of private persons: for example, the unique edition of the Bible presented by director of publishing house «Jantarnyi Skaz» A.Makhlov. An ornament of a chapel is the Gospel released by the Imperial printing house in days of Alexander II and presented to a chapel by I. A. Odintsov.

Orthodox divine services on this Gospel - prayers by priests Krestovozdvizhenskij Cathedral which limit is our chapel are conducted on Saturdays.

Bells

Bell is a musical instrument made from metal as a overturned cored vessel with "tongue" suspended inside. Bells can be church, вечевые, firemen, and sentry. The sound, or tone, of bell depends on its sizes, form, thickness of walls, receptions of casting, and also from structure of an alloy. The first and biggest bell have established later more than 100 years after erection of a temple - in 1492. It has been mounted in northern tower and had rather impressive sizes: the height - 6 foots and 6 inches, diameter - 6 foots of 2 inches. When it rang the powerful low sound was floating above city. This booming sounding was included into a resonance with walls of the Cathedral, and they was destroying, therefore a bell very seldom used till 1886.

In 1886 when restoration during which have strengthened walls of the Cathedral began, thus having changed resonant frequencies, position has improved. After end of restoration works the bell sounded enough frequently.

In spite of the fact that till 1886 the bell, basically, kept silence, the townspeople loved it and named "Grandfather". It has received this name after a fire which in 1544 has destroyed all tower part, but has not mentioned northern tower, therefore a bell has not suffered.

"Grandfather" has been richly decorated, showing remarkable art of foundry masters which names, unfortunately, are unknown. On an external surface of a bell there was an image of Virgin Mary with a wreath on a head holding in a lap baby Jesus. During the installation a bell have consecrated. In a southern tower the first bell has appeared only in 1680. It was "hour", that is each hour sounded. Then in XVII century, there have established one more - "quater-of-hour" which was in a southern tower till 1833. In XVII century have mounted also mechanical tower hours which have been connected with "hour" and "quarter-of-hour" bells. The third bell was made to 1736 year by Andreas Dorling. In XVIII century have established the fourth bell.

As history informs in 1941 or 1944 all bells of the Cathedral have been demounted and directed to Germany (Hamburg) for melting. Other bells, made of bronze, have remained in safety.

During the restoration of a tower part of the Cathedral there was a question on bells and hours. Certainly, the first aim was to return lost bells. As it became known, three of them were kept. They have been found after war in Hamburg - on a so-called cemetery of "church bells". One have established on Westerven bell tower  of church near Bremerhafen, another - in Bursfeld monastery  later. On the request to return bells there where they were before, in the Cathedral,  has followed refusal. Then it was necessary to find money for casting and installation of new bells. By November, 1995 the Official body of culture "Cathedral" could earn and collect the sufficient sum which has allowed not only four bells from different sources, but also to make and mount clock. Bells have been created in Kaliningrad by forces of local masters. The first, with weight 1180 kg, sound in the note "sol". It has received a name Alexander Nevskiy. On the external side of a bell was founded the saying from the Gospel: «My God, educate my mind with the light of reason ». In the same place the inscription which informs is made, that the bell is made «due to money of grateful citizens of Russia ».

The second bell (weight 700 kg) has been named "Peter the Great". It sounds in the note "la". Peter's I image founded on walls of a bell reminds, that the Russian emperor repeatedly visited Prussia and was on island Kneiphof, and the bell is devoted to the 300-anniversary of the Russian fleet. Also there is an inscription, informing that the bell is created with money of citizens of Russia.

Money for the third bell was collected by German citizens, former inhabitants of Prussia. The bell weighs 580 kg and has name "Kneiphof". There are on its surface the names of donors and a seal of founder Koenigsberg – The King Ottokar. The fourth bell the smallest. It weighs 200 kg and refers to "Children" because it is devoted to memory of children who have lost within war.

In September, 1998 in a tower located on the Cathedral, have appeared two bells .One which weight of 13 kg, height of 220 mm, diameter of 210 mm, and were made in the beginning of XX century. The second have made in XVIII century. It weighs of 26 kg, height - 257 mm, diameter - 235 mm.

Each hour four main bells of a southern tower of the Cathedral measure time with the first steps Beethoven's «Odes to pleasure». Bells ring every quarter of hour. Two small bells begin ringing at 8 o'clock 5 minutes and at 17 o'clock 5 minutes. Every year during August, 28-29 at 20 o'clock all bells come in movement - the disturbing alarm reminding to people that has taken place with the Cathedral in 1944 sounds. Two computers connected to the aerial an exact time which supervises work of hours operate work of bells.

Outer Space

Kant's Thomb

Kant doesn’t exist as an individual, but his fame and thoughts are alive till nowadays. His attempts to answer the deepest questions of being explained and solved a lot of problems in the science area as a whole. Kant’s paradox as a  thinker consist in such a fact, that he doesn’t live in a physical sense, but he stays alive for all humanity. Memory of Kant is kept not only by numerous congresses and explotary events. Immediately after death philosopher’s ashes were honored to be buried in a professorial vault bordered with Cathedral on the left side. But some years later it became unfit and in 1809 it was taken down and on it’s place new walking gallery was built. It was named “Stoa Kantiana”. It has existed till 1880. In 1924 Kant’s memorial was restored according to F. Lars’s plan. This place has a name “The Grave of Kant”. After The Second World War only this annex to the Cathedral remained in satisfactory condition. Around it only ruins lied.

The Monument to Albrecht

The third Brandenburg margrave Fredric Gogentzolern’s son, the Prince Elector Albrecht Achilles’ grandson, the future duke was brought up in traditions of knights, secular concepts of honor and glory. In 1506 sixteen-year Albrecht has been taken to a Cologne Prince Elector, archbishop German IV’s court yard as the canon. But career of the future spiritual mentor unexpectedly interrupts for him. On July, 6, 1511 Albrecht became the master of the Teutonic award. The award was in heavy crisis. It needed sufficient strong and educated ruler who could resist to territorial and political claims of the Polish crown.

The difficult moment of a choice has come for Albrecht: to follow a policy of the Kaiser and to swear Poland, or to proceed to an independent policy. He has selected the second way.

In this uncertain situation Albrecht has shown brilliant diplomatic abilities and has derived the most possible for itself benefit. From fears of Poland, that the Prussian state can get in an orbit of influence of France with all consequences following from here, he has received offers of the Polish side  on the conclusion of peace.

He declared abolition of an award and a birth of duchy, about secularization of the church lands. As a push to this decision has served an acquaintance with the ideas of Reformation. Transformation of Prussia into secular duchy entailed loss of connection with empire. In this conditions in April, 1525 he concluded a Krakow treaty with Poland the. It meant, that the Prussia duchy becomes a vassal of the Polish crown.

Albrecht achieved two important points: the status of Prussia as secular duchy, although  dependent on the Polish crown and an invariance of borders of the of the states, i.e. return of the seized cities by Poland, locks, etc.

In such a way began the new important period in activity of the master, resulted to radical changes in destiny of Prussia.

The figure was made of bronze in 1891 by I.F.Rojshem. The monument of Albrecht has stood since 1935 for 14 years opposite to a tower of the workshop.

Today Albrecht’s monument is established near the Cathedral on island where first building of Albertine settled down. Authors: F.A.Morozov, A.N.Shevtsov. Workshop «The Smithy on Pechatnaja street» (director: A.V.Buterus).