Description of the attraction
One of the most beautiful buildings of the nineteenth century in Kaliningrad is the building of the Trade Exchange, located next to the Trestle Bridge on the banks of the Pregolya River. The stock exchange was built by the architect Heinrich Müller in the style of the Italian neo-Renaissance with elements of classicism. The grand opening of the grandiose creation of the Bremen architect took place on March 6, 1875.
The first Kneiphof stock exchange was built in the seventeenth century and was located on the opposite bank of the Pregolya. Over the course of two hundred years, the trading building was rebuilt, moved to the other side, and even at one time it was floating (located on a barge), until in 1870 the grandiose construction of a new exchange began. 2202 deciduous piles were laid at the base of the building, brought by Russian merchants from Siberia.
The building has a large hall and a covered gallery facing the river. For its proximity to the river, the territory adjacent to the stock exchange was unofficially called "Little Venice". The Exchange Hall in size was second only to the ceremonial hall of the Konigsberg Castle and the Muscovite Hall. The interior of the building was decorated in the Renaissance style, and the main stairs were decorated with lions-supporters and four statues - symbols of the parts of the world, located at the corners of the roof. The author of the sculptures was the Konigsberg architect Emil Hundrieser.
At one time, the Konigsberg Stock Exchange was the largest business and cultural center, where not only trading took place, but also charity balls.
In 1944, the exchange building was badly damaged as a result of the bombing of the British aircraft. In the post-war period, for more than two decades, the ruins of the building were used only as scenery in war films. In 1960, the historical building was given the status of an architectural monument (of republican significance) and over the next ten years, the exchange was reconstructed. Today, the exterior of the building is close to the pre-war, but the interior has undergone a complete redevelopment. After a major reconstruction, the building was used as the Palace of Culture for sailors.
Today, the exchange building has the status of a cultural heritage site (of regional importance) and is considered one of the beautiful historical sights of Kaliningrad. The building houses the Regional Center for Youth Culture.
