@@77mako77ful I will give you a civil answer to your snide question. He was a Latvian civilian and was evacuated with other Latvian civilians. He then spent eight months in transit before joining Polish II Corps in Austria in August 1945 as his mother was Polish. He used to say that the only positive thing he could relate to the years 1939-1945 was that he did not have to point a gun at anyone. Are you happy with that answer? My father's photo is in the book Czetery Z Tysiaca by C Chlebowski as he associated with the Polish Resistance.
its such a nice change of pace to watch youtube content thats not centered around the channel creator. it really does seem like narcissism is an epidemic these days and like its the only thing that ever gets rewarded. stuff like this helps me keep some kind of faith in our species.
Not only the quality of your videos but the content is of excellent quality. The content has culture, economy aspects and social political impact. It is a complete source of information. I really wish more people would do videos as yours. Very good quality!!!
He includes much more history than any other travel UA-camr I’ve ever seen. Combine that with his train hopping skills and he’s easily my favorite. Shiey and Bald and Bankrupt have nothing on Vagabond!
@@Sniperboy5551 His history "facts" are mostly bullsh*t. Vagabond is following Putin's history "facts" and is forgetting the real history of Königsberg. Same was with his Karelia video, full of russian propaganda.
your comment and this video leave out that russia is a state of fascism which includes racism - an integral aprt of any empire. Is that cool for you? to advertise this?
@@mountainmoments Not really. That aspect is not at all pleasant even to acknowledge. I rather talk about the person that made the video and his story telling endowment. He is good and he is really good organizing his videos. That was the aspect that I was concentrating about. Keep in mind that all of us here are NOT pro Putin.
Thanks for sharing! A neighbor couple who already passed away was born in Königsberg and had to leave everything behind in the 1945. They told me that their family had a restaurant with a beautiful Biergarten owned over generations. After fall of Soviet Union they went their to visit. They told me that this was a sad experience because the former restaurant was unmaintained and chickens running around it. They cried when telling me this story. I always loved their funny East Prussian accent 😃
@@user-mj4yx8fc7w This story is part of the history of the place. Do you believe that individual people should be responsible for the actions of their country? If you want to take pride in the good, you must also answer to the bad.
@@user-mj4yx8fc7w Maybe I made a false presumption that you are Russian? Perhaps you didn't notice the countless Russian tirades of "America did it first!" whataboutisms.
Very touching story. What a loss! The Russians lost 27 million in that war. Of these, 17 million are civilians. This is real genocide. This is the Russian Holocaust, which is not remembered. But there is a very sentimental story about the restaurant.
@@kotbarsik777 Belittling and misusing the word "genocide" and "Holocaust" is a Nazi thing, you know that right? The nazi's used to say that a "white genocide" was happening to motivate their actions.
I really enjoy your presenting style - perfect combination of past and present. No boring, extended introductions or transitions, just straightforward to the point footage and information of cool, neglected, and historically rich places.
My aunt's boyfriend's family was from Ozyorsk (Darkehmen, Angerapp). They came to the US in the early 1950's. I'm not sure if they got out of East Prussia before or after the Soviets marched through. All I know is they came to the US in the early 1950's from East Prussia. His family doesn't talk much about the war or anything right after the war. War is hell. I hold no ill feelings towards the Germans or Russians. I just wish for peace for everyone. Can someone in Ozyorsk do me a favor or two? The old church you mentioned... My aunt's boyfriend's family was married in that church. There is a cemetery by the old church. My aunt's boyfriend's family are buried in that cemetery. I was hoping someone could look next time they are by the old cemetery and see if they can find any cemetery stones with the last name Naubereit on them. There is a lot of lost family genealogy from Ozyorsk (and Kaliningrad Oblast in general) that is lost to history. It would be nice if the old cemeteries in Ozyorsk and Kalinigrad Oblast were documented and added to the website "find a grave" so future generations of people can find their family and ancestors. Even if someone could give me the names and dates of birth and death on the stones I could add them to find a grave myself. Thank You. It is my wish to visit Russia and Kaliningrad Oblast one day. Best wishes and peace to all.
@@oleg.0715Hi Oleg. I want to visit Kaliningrad, and would start from Gdansk. Do I need to apply for visa, and is the border open somewhere? And is it fairly safe? Just returned from a visit to Pridnestrovie (Transnistria) and it was completely safe.
@@RahbekTV Hello. It probably depends a lot on your citizenship. It seems that a visa is needed for all citizens of EU countries. US citizens need a visa. The Kaliningrad border is still open. If you have a visa, there shouldn’t be any problems. Alternatively, you can get to Kaliningrad by plane with a transfer in Moscow. However, I recommend calling the Russian consulate in Gdansk and asking them everything. Here are a few pieces of advice: 1. Learn a few useful everyday Russian phrases and buy a Russian-English phrasebook. Many young Russians speak English well, but not only young people live in Kaliningrad (some old people write in Russian with gross grammatical mistakes, imagine their English), and the language barrier can become a problem, especially in rural areas. 2. It’s better not to photograph or to film any active military objects, military bases, police stations, etc. Especially those at the border (even I, as a citizen of Russia, don’t risk doing this). Many military agencies, the FSB, and others like to be located in beautiful old German buildings. And if in central Kaliningrad a foreigner photographing an FSB building is likely to be treated normally and with understanding, somewhere in Sovetsk (formerly Tilsit), you might encounter very unpleasant questions. These guys have paranoia as an integral part of their work, especially considering that a few real spies (they were reportedly from Estonia and Ukraine) were indeed caught in Kaliningrad over the past few months, so it’s better to be cautious and not complicate life for your country’s ambassador who will have to pull you out of trouble. And if you do end up in trouble, remember: Article 51 of the Constitution of Russia gives you the right to remain silent and not testify against yourself and your relatives. 3. Ideally, it’s better for you to join some tourist group or find a local guide. I don’t know if there are tours from Gdansk to Kaliningrad, but it’s worth checking. This will be more convenient for you, as it resolves the language barrier issue and can show or at least suggest interesting places in the city and region, as well as advise you on things that you might avoid doing just because you may offend the locals. 4. Check the list of substances and medications prohibited for import into Russia. For example, if you have any medications made from marijuana or something like that, it’s better not to bring them to Russia. Maybe you can get a permit for them and they will allow you to bring them in, but again, find out about all of these matters at the Russian consulate. It may seem that we are living here almost as if in North Korea, but that’s far from the truth. You just need to, as with any trip to any country, learn about and consider various local nuances. For Russia, as a European country (no matter what is said about this even in Russia itself), these nuances are few for an EU resident or an American, but it’s better to prepare.
@@oleg.0715 Hi Oleg. Thank you for the useful information. I do like taking picture, but usually only of traditional national stuff. I am of danish citizenship. where do I apply? And would you suggest me to go, if my desire Burns for it?
@@RahbekTV Hello again. Are you Danish? Almost neighbors :-) If we're talking about the region first and foremost, I definitely recommend Zelenogradsk and Svetlogorsk. I wouldn't hesitate to say they are some of the tourist Meccas of Russia. The sea, many decent restaurants, beautiful German architecture (which they try to keep in perfect condition), and fresh air. If you love cats, Zelenogradsk is called the "Cat Capital of Russia" and it should appeal to you with a 99% probability. I also recommend the Curonian Spit National Park. You can see the sand dunes (walking on them is prohibited; there's a hefty fine for violations), the "dancing forest," where the trees twist in spirals, and listen to the old Prussian legends associated with it (from before the Teutonic Order arrived), as well as simply admire untouched European nature. Although, it seems to be said that because of tourists, there is garbage in some places that simply do not have time to clean up on time. . In Kaliningrad itself, I recommend the Museum of the World Ocean, possibly the local history museum (it has some decent exhibits), the Friedland Gate Museum, and Fort No. 11 "Dönhoff" (if you're there and see a tall brunette with a goatee beard , army boots, and big ass, that's my friend Andrey. If you manage to overcome the language barrier, he'll probably tell you nearly everything about Kaliningrad and East Prussia. He's like a walking encyclopedia. He might even agree to be your local guide). I should also mention the Amalienau district, which in some ways is "the actual Königsberg," but that's a huge stretch. There's German architecture that is well-maintained, a zoo, and german churches. But for you as a Dane, I don’t think there will be anything particularly surprising. You might even be a bit disappointed. People from other parts of Russia come here to "see how people live in the West" (except for Moscow and St. Petersburg. Residents of these cities come here to relax by the sea and enjoy the silence after the noise of the metropolis), and a Dane is unlikely to discover anything new. After all, you live and grew up in similar architecture. Well, the eastern part of the region is presented quite well in the video. There were even places I learned about for the first time. So, I have nothing to add. However, I wouldn't go to the East without "preparation." The language barrier, the risk of encountering aggressive "rednecks", German ruins that elicit nothing but prayers for restoration or just feelings of depression can be disheartening. Although, there are beautiful rural landscapes. Sometimes, you feel like a character in an American road movie.
Very interesting film. We have been to Kaliningrad twice, both times driving by car from home in Sweden (2016 and 2019). We live straight across the sea from Baltysk. We have visited most of the places you visited and it's interesting to see what has changed in recent years. Sadly I don't think we will be able to go back, given the crazy world we live in today.
Thanks a lot Dude. Nice Documentary As a German I am evertytime proud of our Infrastructure which obviously can stand nearly everything. Hope that there will be Peace, so that i am able to visit our old Land of prussia.
You can visit Russia, Kaliningrad as well, no problem, even these days. Russia hasn't imposed restrictions on ordinary German citizens unlike vice versa.
@@daddydallas4789 if you are american or european going to russia right now that is a death sentence for you. Even if they let you stay a little longer and see some russia, you will end up as a hostage with 10-years-sentence in colony fuckin far away from anything. I also think that russia is beautiful and tourism in this country would be amazing, but don't forget about what kind of terrorist state we are talking about.
@@pije_whiskey Where did you get all that information from? Because thats such BS man, you can visit Russia no problem, my sister and her family frequently visits Russia as German citizens, and they always just chill there and have a good time
@@daddydallas4789 yeah right, as a German from Stuttgart B-W I know many "german citizens" born in russia, so maybe they visit their homeland. Unfortunetely they barely speak german
Most of it is gone and went to rubbish. Stalin and others happened. Now it's just another Soviet shadow 40-50 years behind the rest of the continent due to amazing leadership.
Ostpreußen,but Gumbinnen in particular,poses a very bitter memory for older Germans,but I won't eleborate any further on that. Immediately after the Iron Curtain collapsed I visited the old German provinces and we wanted to cross over to the Kaliningrad region too but at that time it was highly discouraged to do so by Polish security troops as Polish civilians alike . Therefore I'm very pleased with this video.Thank you.
@@user-mj4yx8fc7w I was born in the 50ies and therefore I only know what happened before and during WW II from first hand ; but I very much value and appreciate your reaction - it shows you are genuinely interested in both the topic of this video as well as my adhered comment. I thank you deeply for that and wish you all the best .
Gumbinnen - a name which transitioned from Old Prussian (Nadruvian) name Gabe to Lithuanian Gumbinė and later slightly modified to sound more German. Unfortunately 60% of original Lithuanian place names of Lithuania Minor by the decree of June 3 of 1938 was renamed to fully German ones. Such are Stallupönen - renametd to Ebenrode, Jurgaitschen - to Jürgenfelde, Augsgiren - to Saßenhöhe, Kraupischken - to Breitenstein, Lasdehnen - to Haselberg, Papelken - to Markomitethausen, Paskallwen - to Schalau, etc. The same year the list of name changes was printed as a brochure - "Das Verzeichnis der neuen Ortsnamen der ganzen Provinz Ostpreußen ".
@@fidenemini111 Danke - aber diese Tatsachen waren mir schon bestens bekannt . Und übrigens gab es Umbenennungen nicht nur in Ostpreußen - z.B. Gdingen(heute Gdynia)wurde ab 1938 Gotenhafen genannt .
Your channel is a true gem, thanks for your productions I have no idea how you can tolerate riding the world in empty train cars on such a low budget. I admire your inner faith that all will be well, no matter what. You do teach, you know that right?
Wow! Very impressive and thorough field report from Kaliningrad! I really enjoyed your descriptions and the places you showed. As you mention several times, there is such potential that, for the foreseeable future, will unfortunately be ignored. All I can say is that I hope that things change and peace will prevail.
Kaliningrad is currently a major destination of Russian domestic tourism (which has grown as international tourish has shrunk) so it is not exactly ignored. Some places fall into disrepair, but overall it's nice-ish.
I rarely watch a full 90 minute video, but this is great. Hearing the history along with all the sites is fantastic. Plus the journey itself is cool. Plus no garbage and no homeless people, seems very nice.
I've only been to Kaliningrad once and only for a day but after seeing this video I want to go back and see more. Svetlogorsk reminded me of Sopot in Poland. The Kalingrad oblast has so much history and beautiful landscape to take in. Thank you Ivan and please keep this quality content coming.
@@tevarinvagabond1192What you said made me laugh. Russia is the country that preserves the best historical monuments in Europe. Go to other countries and do they preserve historical sites like Russia?
@@admin6884 Your statement is such a joke, you must never have traveled many places in Europe or the rest of the world... Communist countries, on the other hand, destroyed a great deal of the past, as much as they could in order to supplant "the old order". Please read history books a bit more before making whacky outburts
Man, I've already watched and enjoyed quite a few of your videos but this one is absolutely brilliant for so many reasons. As a German I might be a little biased because it offers a unique glimpse into a past world that few of us will be able to explore like you did, so in a sense you lent us your eyes. But what your video excels at is just showing humanity: The two old guys on the bench in Angerapp and their daily struggles - none of which have been of their own making. All the ruins and soldiers' graves and your statement that war just bluntly sucks. The cats and cat food vending machines in Cranz. It's all been very heart-warming and should remind us all of the fact that at the end of the day we're all humans. The current political situation is surely f***ed up almost beyond repair for the time being but we all shouldn't forget that the man on the street hasn't got such a lot of influence on that kind of stuff, yet will take the biggest hit to their standard of life. Think of the Germans who had to leave the East after 1945 - very often in quite a hurry. What was started in 1939 hit back on them with a vengeance, and many of those weren't such rabid Nazis that we might think of their fate as being well deserved. I don't want to overdo this aspect here though, so once again: great video, well done and keep up the good work.
Немцам , пришлось покинуть 😏 А русским не кому было покидать , потому что вы сжигали деревни вместе с населением 🥺 Женщины, старики дети, всех 😡😡😡😡 Не забывай , что в СССР погибло почти 30 миллионов по вашей вине, Не мы к вам пришли , а вы к нам , убивать нас 😡
Vagabond, your channel is unique. OK Bald and Bankrupt comes close, but he doesn't explore remote abandoned places on his own or ride iron ore trains across the whole of the Russian Federation eating nothing but noodles and wearing just a light rain jacket! 😂 Keep up the great work, Kaliningrad is such a strange and interesting place that we haven't seen on TV or UA-cam in the UK. So much history although sadly mostly just related to invasion and conflict. Including today...
I’m glad we can agree that Vagabond beats Bald. I love both channels, but there’s just something beautiful about a native Russian exploring his own country. I’ve already seen all of Bald’s Russia videos and he has been banned, so it’s nice to see some new stuff from Vagabond’s perspective!
But the thing is, unlike Bald, who is a British sex tourist, Vagabond is a real Russian (like me btw) traveling around his own country completely off the grid.
@@yumallah True! Haven't watched bald since that space shuttle finally and the Russian authorities doesn't want him back (yet) so don't expect to see any stuff from him in a while. Vagabond can do it without any questionable shenanigans.
Thank you for doing this. I remember in February 2022 seeing this little think on the map of Russia when everyone was talking about the war and google mapping it to see what the heck Kaliningrad was. This is even better as it makes me feel like, I have seen this strange place.
I had a school teacher named Mrs Köstlin when I started Primary school. I'll never forget her, a tall slim lady wearing her greying hair in a classic bun at back of her head. Her kindly large grey eyes always projected a kindness when she smiled. My mother always remarked about her regal posture. Together with her family she escaped Königsberg in a horse drawn wagon via the Frozen Baltic sea to Hamburg. I often wondered about this place and thank the VAGA VAGABOND for bringing the reality of this city's once existence as Königsberg to me.
The bridge in Tilsit was indeed German. It was called the Queen Louise Bridge. She was and still is a legendary figure in Germany, generally described as "angelic". Consort of the King of Prussia, she went to Tilsit to meet Napoleon to plead on behalf of Prussia, begging him to agree a merciful settlement respecting her country's needs and dignity. He wasn't very interested.
Danke Eine sehr gute Erklärung Die Steine sprechen immer noch Deutsch in der ganzen ehemalig deutschen Provinz ! Thank you ! An exellent explanation ! The bricks are still speaking German all around this former german province! Danke .
@@Anthony-db7cs Well, technically, “should still speak Prussian” (linguistically close to Lithuanian) or Polish. The German speaking Teutonic Knights (for-hire mercenaries hired by the Polish Duke Conrad of Mazovia) exterminated all original Prussians (who were N O T Germans), adopted their name and became known as “Prussians” in order to claim the land. The German speaking pope backed their claim and thugs the centuries long saga of the “German Prussia” had began.. Kaliningrad needs to go back to Poland/Lithuania and become Królewiec/Karaliaučius. I know, I know… history is sooo boooring.. 🙄 The rest of your post “anything russia touches” I agree with..
Vistula is also the name of one of the biggest rivers in Poland, it flows out into the Baltic Sea near Gdańsk, so not far from where you were. This river flows through both Warsaw and Kraków and originates from the mountains in the south of Poland
You are an amazing man. Unique. Extraordinary. You really go everywhere, radiate boundless curiosity, meet the people, ask all the necessary questions, try literally anything. One never knows quite what's coming next! I was particularly fascinated here by the extreme contrast of the impressively stocked supermarket full of goods - and then the bitterness of the two old men complaining of severe shortages, empty shops etc.
Found this channel a couple of days ago, now I'm addicted. Great work! I lived in Moscow for some time, but never went outside the oblast, so this is very very interesting
As a German student in the early 1980s we were never told about Kaliningrad/Konigsberg. As far as we were told Germany consisted of West and East Germany. We were never told about Prussia or the German regions now in Poland. There is a very interesting museum nowadays in Gdańsk which I was lucky to visit which also showed something of German populations in the region. Very interesting to see all this. Thanks.
Woah, great video! I am the local one living in the Kaliningrad (technically not really local, but here because of University). I really liked this place (im from other russian region), but also hated some stuff, like some crosswalkes are not so greatly placed. Also so funny stuff. For example students from KSTU (Kalinigrad State Technical University) are doing a lot of excesersizes on the Kant's Island. There are also Shipyard Yantar near Kaliningrad but it's not acceable for folks like you. But I managed to visit in several times as part of my student program. It's kinda sad that I managed to find this video only now!
You were born for this journey! They way you approach subjects pulls me in as almost if I am there. The places you visit are priceless gifts to me. The most endearing aspect of all are the people you meet, drive with, stay with, and more. Sometimes I wish you could spend more time with them, it is so good for the soul to know that these folks are just like me/us. Please stay safe and keep up this most beautiful life journey!
It is interesting to watch these kinds of videos to know the history of why the cities are so important now. Well done. This channel deserves a million subscribers. ;)
Чел, я как калининградец могу сказать, что ты нашел самые перди области, настоящий архитектурный проктолог. Браво, это талант. )))) По подаче одно не понравилось - не Сталин аннексировал, а Сталин с Черчилем и Рузвельтом подписали договор о репарациях. 1/3 Востойной Пруссии - СССР, 2/3 - Польше (тоже получается аннексировали? sic!), а литовцам Мемель / Клайпеда + часть куршской косы.
Great comment! It's sad that people are misinformed into oversimplified or false historical narratives of a supposedly omnipotent Stalin. It's shocking how pervasive it is.
@@ikariameriks The Naz!s and their collaborators shouldn't have invaded the USSR and tried genociding its people then. See Generalplan Ost. Fuck around and find out -- simple as... The Baltics are not real countries anyway. They have been Polish, Swedish, German and now American colonies. Glorified military outposts against the East.
@@ikariameriks this land is small payment for millions killed Russians . Germans who lived here and in polish part of Prussia were thrown away from here but at least not killed.
Hello from Canada 🇨🇦 Big fan of your channel. I love how you show everyday life for the Russian people; as well as, the historical and natural environment.
The area he called "favellas" is a former Soviet boathouses "cooperative", they are called "(h)ellings", as I recall, the owners were smart enough to transform them into habitable houses during the administrative chaos of the 90s.
It is crazy to see the difference between Gdansk and Kaliningrad. So close. Similar history, but Gdansk is a thriving 21st century city while Kaliningrad seems stuck to late 90s.
So? That happens all over the world. San Diego, USA and Tijuana, Mexico are basically one urban area divided by a border and the difference between both is enormous.
A bastion, by the way, usually tends to be a separate, further forward position that was indeed the first place to be assaulted. The point was to deplete enemy forces from a position, that you could abandon eventually to fall back to the main fortress with minimal risk for your own life or the entire fortress being captured upon retreat.
43:36. Incredible. Put that in perspective. That bell was made when the Kingdom of Prussia existed. Not Germany, not the german empire, not the north german confederation. The HRE still existed. New France still existed in north america. The Qing Empire was a truly great power. Russia had gained Saint Petersburg from the Swedish Empire 26 years earlier. Poland-Lithuania Still existed. I could go on and on. That bell has survived so many different eras in european history. It’s probably one of the last authentic actually “Prussian” things anywhere in the Kaliningrad Oblast besides a few bombed out or otherwise abandoned buildings and private houses. I hope Koenigsberg becomes German once again but it will never happen. Germany tore itself apart and signed away its history to a country that cared nothing about it.
John Kay, the lead singer of Steppenwolf ("Born to be Wild"), was born in Tilsit, as was Edgar Froese, founder of Tangerine Dream. So it has some considerable musical pedigree!
Been there in July on my way with my wife to her hometown in Ufa. Pretty nice place, clean and lots of nice things to see. Even tho its small. Also lived in hotel Skiperskaya in this fishin village :) cozy area. Bagrationovsk has border crossing with polan. I mean just few kms away. Thats where i have been crossing border to and from Russia. However its not for pedestrians. U need to be at least on bicycle to cross it.
i dont know why, but your accent is much easier to understand than some american english speakers, for me at least. i'm brazilian btw nice video and trip, as always
Great content! Thanks to people like you, us westerners can experience all those Russian places that are rarely talked about. You're bringing a new light and knowledge to all of us keep strong my friend
It's actually devastating and very sad what happened all over Europe from the sides of the Germans and the Russians. If one didn't destroy something the other side did.
I grew up hearing about this special place. My grandfather's pain of losing his homeland to the insane and needless destruction of war tinged those stories. I feel as though I miss it too. Hopefully peace will come and I can stand in the place where my ancestors lived and loved not so long ago. Thank you for producing an interesting a showcase of what this region is today.
@@kraanzit actually looks pretty nice to me I was taught by my Russian teacher that outside of Moscow and St Petersburg Russia was ugly and well not ugly but the roads weren't paved people didn't have toilets so it's nice to think that in kaliningrad they have something. Of course it was left by the Germans and the Russians moved into it I would like to know how the Soviet Union decided which Russian citizens should have the honor of moving to kaliningrad and rebuilding. Does anyone know?
This is by far one of your most interesting and informative videos. Sadly, it is so riddled with spam ads (some just a few minutes apart), that is is difficult and very time consuming to watch. I've heard from other UA-camrs that it is possible for you to reduce ads. Please consider doing so.
I have walked train tracks for a long time. I have been around trains a long time. I never noticed dates on train track components until I watched your content.
I liked your curiosity about the regional cheese in Sowetsk / Tilsit, as Tilsit is famous for its Tilsiter cheese (Тильзитер) - Having its origin in this area.
This channel is such a special gem. Just raw footage, real people, great commentary and quality. Wish more people would get to appreciate your work.
You watch TV channels normal, this is how channels do this here.
Totally agree. Also a really nice way to explain and show stuff. I really enjoy it.
Greetings from Germany
please dont wish that bro it would destroy this channel
@alixa_a3ob_7слова У -край-на 😂😂😂
Kaliningrad citizens have decided to break away from Russia
No stupid intro animation and sounds!
No fancy equipment!
Just pure quality content!
good luck carrying fancy equipment in that rural hole
My father was evacuated through East Prussia in September/October 1944 and he remarked at how beautiful it was.
Did your dad tell you what he did before the evacuation?? I'm sure he was just following orders, right?
@@77mako77ful I will give you a civil answer to your snide question. He was a Latvian civilian and was evacuated with other Latvian civilians. He then spent eight months in transit before joining Polish II Corps in Austria in August 1945 as his mother was Polish. He used to say that the only positive thing he could relate to the years 1939-1945 was that he did not have to point a gun at anyone. Are you happy with that answer? My father's photo is in the book Czetery Z Tysiaca by C Chlebowski as he associated with the Polish Resistance.
@@NickRatnieksexcellent reply to a nasty question.
@@77mako77ful lol youre a butthurt kid living in an adult body.
@@jtns2845 Nasty question? Excuse us of occupied countries (I’m French) to be suspicious! Especially in Kaliningrad who was a bastion of nazism
its such a nice change of pace to watch youtube content thats not centered around the channel creator. it really does seem like narcissism is an epidemic these days and like its the only thing that ever gets rewarded. stuff like this helps me keep some kind of faith in our species.
Not only the quality of your videos but the content is of excellent quality. The content has culture, economy aspects and social political impact. It is a complete source of information. I really wish more people would do videos as yours. Very good quality!!!
He includes much more history than any other travel UA-camr I’ve ever seen. Combine that with his train hopping skills and he’s easily my favorite. Shiey and Bald and Bankrupt have nothing on Vagabond!
@@Sniperboy5551 Indeed, his videos are of excellent quality and they have it all for all tastes.
@@Sniperboy5551 His history "facts" are mostly bullsh*t. Vagabond is following Putin's history "facts" and is forgetting the real history of Königsberg. Same was with his Karelia video, full of russian propaganda.
your comment and this video leave out that russia is a state of fascism which includes racism - an integral aprt of any empire. Is that cool for you? to advertise this?
@@mountainmoments Not really. That aspect is not at all pleasant even to acknowledge. I rather talk about the person that made the video and his story telling endowment. He is good and he is really good organizing his videos. That was the aspect that I was concentrating about. Keep in mind that all of us here are NOT pro Putin.
Ein sehr interessantes Video über Ostpreußen und dessen Geschichte. Vielen Dank!
I was always interested, how the region of Kaliningrad looks like. Thanks for showing it to me and sharing your experience of traveling there, cheers.
He showed mainly German/Prussian old buildings that Russians have no interest to maintain. Come to Kaliningrad and have your own look. Welcome
Poor and ugly architecture like everything USSR. They ruined a beautiful city.
@@player1GR не ври ,
После того , что янки разбомбили всю Калининградскую область, кто интересно ее восстанавливал ?
Ты , что ли ? 🫤 👎
Thanks for sharing! A neighbor couple who already passed away was born in Königsberg and had to leave everything behind in the 1945. They told me that their family had a restaurant with a beautiful Biergarten owned over generations. After fall of Soviet Union they went their to visit. They told me that this was a sad experience because the former restaurant was unmaintained and chickens running around it. They cried when telling me this story. I always loved their funny East Prussian accent 😃
@@user-mj4yx8fc7w This story is part of the history of the place. Do you believe that individual people should be responsible for the actions of their country? If you want to take pride in the good, you must also answer to the bad.
@@user-mj4yx8fc7w Maybe I made a false presumption that you are Russian? Perhaps you didn't notice the countless Russian tirades of "America did it first!" whataboutisms.
@@user-mj4yx8fc7w looks like their views were proven right looking at Russia and how it turns everything it touches into a shithole
Very touching story. What a loss! The Russians lost 27 million in that war. Of these, 17 million are civilians. This is real genocide. This is the Russian Holocaust, which is not remembered. But there is a very sentimental story about the restaurant.
@@kotbarsik777 Belittling and misusing the word "genocide" and "Holocaust" is a Nazi thing, you know that right? The nazi's used to say that a "white genocide" was happening to motivate their actions.
I really enjoy your presenting style - perfect combination of past and present. No boring, extended introductions or transitions, just straightforward to the point footage and information of cool, neglected, and historically rich places.
My aunt's boyfriend's family was from Ozyorsk (Darkehmen, Angerapp). They came to the US in the early 1950's. I'm not sure if they got out of East Prussia before or after the Soviets marched through. All I know is they came to the US in the early 1950's from East Prussia. His family doesn't talk much about the war or anything right after the war.
War is hell. I hold no ill feelings towards the Germans or Russians. I just wish for peace for everyone.
Can someone in Ozyorsk do me a favor or two? The old church you mentioned... My aunt's boyfriend's family was married in that church. There is a cemetery by the old church. My aunt's boyfriend's family are buried in that cemetery. I was hoping someone could look next time they are by the old cemetery and see if they can find any cemetery stones with the last name Naubereit on them.
There is a lot of lost family genealogy from Ozyorsk (and Kaliningrad Oblast in general) that is lost to history. It would be nice if the old cemeteries in Ozyorsk and Kalinigrad Oblast were documented and added to the website "find a grave" so future generations of people can find their family and ancestors.
Even if someone could give me the names and dates of birth and death on the stones I could add them to find a grave myself.
Thank You.
It is my wish to visit Russia and Kaliningrad Oblast one day.
Best wishes and peace to all.
If it's relevant, then I'm from Kaliningrad and I can go to Ozersk sometime in my free time and look for the graves of your relatives.
@@oleg.0715Hi Oleg. I want to visit Kaliningrad, and would start from Gdansk.
Do I need to apply for visa, and is the border open somewhere? And is it fairly safe? Just returned from a visit to Pridnestrovie (Transnistria) and it was completely safe.
@@RahbekTV Hello. It probably depends a lot on your citizenship. It seems that a visa is needed for all citizens of EU countries. US citizens need a visa. The Kaliningrad border is still open. If you have a visa, there shouldn’t be any problems. Alternatively, you can get to Kaliningrad by plane with a transfer in Moscow. However, I recommend calling the Russian consulate in Gdansk and asking them everything. Here are a few pieces of advice:
1. Learn a few useful everyday Russian phrases and buy a Russian-English phrasebook. Many young Russians speak English well, but not only young people live in Kaliningrad (some old people write in Russian with gross grammatical mistakes, imagine their English), and the language barrier can become a problem, especially in rural areas.
2. It’s better not to photograph or to film any active military objects, military bases, police stations, etc. Especially those at the border (even I, as a citizen of Russia, don’t risk doing this). Many military agencies, the FSB, and others like to be located in beautiful old German buildings. And if in central Kaliningrad a foreigner photographing an FSB building is likely to be treated normally and with understanding, somewhere in Sovetsk (formerly Tilsit), you might encounter very unpleasant questions. These guys have paranoia as an integral part of their work, especially considering that a few real spies (they were reportedly from Estonia and Ukraine) were indeed caught in Kaliningrad over the past few months, so it’s better to be cautious and not complicate life for your country’s ambassador who will have to pull you out of trouble. And if you do end up in trouble, remember: Article 51 of the Constitution of Russia gives you the right to remain silent and not testify against yourself and your relatives.
3. Ideally, it’s better for you to join some tourist group or find a local guide. I don’t know if there are tours from Gdansk to Kaliningrad, but it’s worth checking. This will be more convenient for you, as it resolves the language barrier issue and can show or at least suggest interesting places in the city and region, as well as advise you on things that you might avoid doing just because you may offend the locals.
4. Check the list of substances and medications prohibited for import into Russia. For example, if you have any medications made from marijuana or something like that, it’s better not to bring them to Russia. Maybe you can get a permit for them and they will allow you to bring them in, but again, find out about all of these matters at the Russian consulate.
It may seem that we are living here almost as if in North Korea, but that’s far from the truth. You just need to, as with any trip to any country, learn about and consider various local nuances. For Russia, as a European country (no matter what is said about this even in Russia itself), these nuances are few for an EU resident or an American, but it’s better to prepare.
@@oleg.0715 Hi Oleg.
Thank you for the useful information.
I do like taking picture, but usually only of traditional national stuff.
I am of danish citizenship.
where do I apply? And would you suggest me to go, if my desire Burns for it?
@@RahbekTV Hello again. Are you Danish? Almost neighbors :-) If we're talking about the region first and foremost, I definitely recommend Zelenogradsk and Svetlogorsk. I wouldn't hesitate to say they are some of the tourist Meccas of Russia. The sea, many decent restaurants, beautiful German architecture (which they try to keep in perfect condition), and fresh air. If you love cats, Zelenogradsk is called the "Cat Capital of Russia" and it should appeal to you with a 99% probability. I also recommend the Curonian Spit National Park. You can see the sand dunes (walking on them is prohibited; there's a hefty fine for violations), the "dancing forest," where the trees twist in spirals, and listen to the old Prussian legends associated with it (from before the Teutonic Order arrived), as well as simply admire untouched European nature. Although, it seems to be said that because of tourists, there is garbage in some places that simply do not have time to clean up on time. . In Kaliningrad itself, I recommend the Museum of the World Ocean, possibly the local history museum (it has some decent exhibits), the Friedland Gate Museum, and Fort No. 11 "Dönhoff" (if you're there and see a tall brunette with a goatee beard , army boots, and big ass, that's my friend Andrey. If you manage to overcome the language barrier, he'll probably tell you nearly everything about Kaliningrad and East Prussia. He's like a walking encyclopedia. He might even agree to be your local guide). I should also mention the Amalienau district, which in some ways is "the actual Königsberg," but that's a huge stretch. There's German architecture that is well-maintained, a zoo, and german churches. But for you as a Dane, I don’t think there will be anything particularly surprising. You might even be a bit disappointed. People from other parts of Russia come here to "see how people live in the West" (except for Moscow and St. Petersburg. Residents of these cities come here to relax by the sea and enjoy the silence after the noise of the metropolis), and a Dane is unlikely to discover anything new. After all, you live and grew up in similar architecture. Well, the eastern part of the region is presented quite well in the video. There were even places I learned about for the first time. So, I have nothing to add. However, I wouldn't go to the East without "preparation." The language barrier, the risk of encountering aggressive "rednecks", German ruins that elicit nothing but prayers for restoration or just feelings of depression can be disheartening. Although, there are beautiful rural landscapes. Sometimes, you feel like a character in an American road movie.
Very interesting film. We have been to Kaliningrad twice, both times driving by car from home in Sweden (2016 and 2019). We live straight across the sea from Baltysk. We have visited most of the places you visited and it's interesting to see what has changed in recent years. Sadly I don't think we will be able to go back, given the crazy world we live in today.
Sad times indeed.
Thanks a lot Dude. Nice Documentary
As a German I am evertytime proud of our Infrastructure which obviously can stand nearly everything.
Hope that there will be Peace, so that i am able to visit our old Land of prussia.
I believe you can always visit Poland, which took a much bigger chunk of Ostpreußen.
You can visit Russia, Kaliningrad as well, no problem, even these days. Russia hasn't imposed restrictions on ordinary German citizens unlike vice versa.
@@daddydallas4789 if you are american or european going to russia right now that is a death sentence for you. Even if they let you stay a little longer and see some russia, you will end up as a hostage with 10-years-sentence in colony fuckin far away from anything. I also think that russia is beautiful and tourism in this country would be amazing, but don't forget about what kind of terrorist state we are talking about.
@@pije_whiskey Where did you get all that information from? Because thats such BS man, you can visit Russia no problem, my sister and her family frequently visits Russia as German citizens, and they always just chill there and have a good time
@@daddydallas4789 yeah right, as a German from Stuttgart B-W I know many "german citizens" born in russia, so maybe they visit their homeland. Unfortunetely they barely speak german
Would love to go there to see any Prussian history thats left...Incredible video!
Most of it is gone and went to rubbish. Stalin and others happened. Now it's just another Soviet shadow 40-50 years behind the rest of the continent due to amazing leadership.
@@UndercoverPirate69 things are going the other way now. The west is collapsing. And replacing itself.
@@UndercoverPirate69 and thats good
The orcs ruined it
@@pepefin9616akaestonec
Opposite Defiant Disorder 🫵🤡🪞
Tilsit is also known for cheese. You can find Tilsiter Käse in a lot of super markets in Germany.
In Russia too, Tilsiter cheese is very popular.
I watch you from Sydney Australia, I love the trips you make. Your amazing. Ron
Man, your content ist absolutely 1st class!
A+ man. I fell down a rabbit hole and have enjoyed every bit of it. Keep making great content!
Ostpreußen,but Gumbinnen in particular,poses a very bitter memory for older Germans,but I won't eleborate any further on that.
Immediately after the Iron Curtain collapsed I visited the old German provinces and we wanted to cross over to the Kaliningrad region too but at that time it was highly discouraged to do so by Polish security troops as Polish civilians alike .
Therefore I'm very pleased with this video.Thank you.
@@user-mj4yx8fc7w I was born in the 50ies and therefore I only know what happened before and during WW II from first hand ; but I very much value and appreciate your reaction - it shows you are genuinely interested in both the topic of this video as well as my adhered comment.
I thank you deeply for that and wish you all the best .
Gumbinnen - a name which transitioned from Old Prussian (Nadruvian) name Gabe to Lithuanian Gumbinė and later slightly modified to sound more German. Unfortunately 60% of original Lithuanian place names of Lithuania Minor by the decree of June 3 of 1938 was renamed to fully German ones. Such are Stallupönen - renametd to Ebenrode, Jurgaitschen - to Jürgenfelde, Augsgiren - to Saßenhöhe, Kraupischken - to Breitenstein, Lasdehnen - to Haselberg, Papelken - to Markomitethausen, Paskallwen - to Schalau, etc. The same year the list of name changes was printed as a brochure - "Das Verzeichnis der neuen Ortsnamen der ganzen Provinz Ostpreußen ".
@@fidenemini111 Danke - aber diese Tatsachen waren mir schon bestens bekannt .
Und übrigens gab es Umbenennungen nicht nur in Ostpreußen - z.B. Gdingen(heute Gdynia)wurde ab 1938 Gotenhafen genannt .
Older germans? You mean the ones who served in Hitlers army?
We all know of the horrifying atrocities visited upon East Prussian civilians. by the Russians. Crimes not forgotten and deserve no forgiveness.
Your channel is a true gem, thanks for your productions
I have no idea how you can tolerate riding the world in empty train cars on such a low budget. I admire your inner faith that all will be well, no matter what. You do teach, you know that right?
What a great video - thank you, spasibo, and best wishes from Lithuania.
Honestly i appreciate that modern russia rebuilt a lot of the old buildings and graves after the fall of the USSR. Suprisingly respectful.
they also destroyed a lot of heritage on purpose.
@@navigatedd4344 and so did Europeans
@albertthegreat9192 the difference is the scale
My family came from Prussia a few hundred years ago- The place name is now called Wuricy
Yay!! Seeing a new (long!!) video from you is the best part of my day!! Thank you for everything that you do to brighten up our lives :-)
Thank you for your special, authentic reporting on Kaliningrad. Now I am well prepared for my first visit to Kaliningrad in the summer.
Wow! Very impressive and thorough field report from Kaliningrad! I really enjoyed your descriptions and the places you showed. As you mention several times, there is such potential that, for the foreseeable future, will unfortunately be ignored. All I can say is that I hope that things change and peace will prevail.
Kaliningrad is currently a major destination of Russian domestic tourism (which has grown as international tourish has shrunk) so it is not exactly ignored. Some places fall into disrepair, but overall it's nice-ish.
Thank you for sharing another journey, it's very enjoyable to watch.
I enjoyed your conversation with the locals very much
Such an amazing channel, will stay here for more videos. Well done, keep up good work
I rarely watch a full 90 minute video, but this is great. Hearing the history along with all the sites is fantastic. Plus the journey itself is cool. Plus no garbage and no homeless people, seems very nice.
I've only been to Kaliningrad once and only for a day but after seeing this video I want to go back and see more. Svetlogorsk reminded me of Sopot in Poland. The Kalingrad oblast has so much history and beautiful landscape to take in. Thank you Ivan and please keep this quality content coming.
You need Walls of war, castles
why you need quality on UA-cam ? What did you meant ?
It's just sad...all the history and culture but it got ruined by Russia
@@tevarinvagabond1192What you said made me laugh. Russia is the country that preserves the best historical monuments in Europe. Go to other countries and do they preserve historical sites like Russia?
@@admin6884 Your statement is such a joke, you must never have traveled many places in Europe or the rest of the world... Communist countries, on the other hand, destroyed a great deal of the past, as much as they could in order to supplant "the old order". Please read history books a bit more before making whacky outburts
@@admin6884 Yes? I mean, just compare how much more German architecture there is in Lithuania or Poland alone, compared to Kaliningrad.
Man, I've already watched and enjoyed quite a few of your videos but this one is absolutely brilliant for so many reasons. As a German I might be a little biased because it offers a unique glimpse into a past world that few of us will be able to explore like you did, so in a sense you lent us your eyes. But what your video excels at is just showing humanity: The two old guys on the bench in Angerapp and their daily struggles - none of which have been of their own making. All the ruins and soldiers' graves and your statement that war just bluntly sucks. The cats and cat food vending machines in Cranz. It's all been very heart-warming and should remind us all of the fact that at the end of the day we're all humans.
The current political situation is surely f***ed up almost beyond repair for the time being but we all shouldn't forget that the man on the street hasn't got such a lot of influence on that kind of stuff, yet will take the biggest hit to their standard of life. Think of the Germans who had to leave the East after 1945 - very often in quite a hurry. What was started in 1939 hit back on them with a vengeance, and many of those weren't such rabid Nazis that we might think of their fate as being well deserved.
I don't want to overdo this aspect here though, so once again: great video, well done and keep up the good work.
Немцам , пришлось покинуть 😏
А русским не кому было покидать , потому что вы сжигали деревни вместе с населением 🥺
Женщины, старики дети, всех 😡😡😡😡
Не забывай , что в СССР погибло почти 30 миллионов по вашей вине,
Не мы к вам пришли , а вы к нам , убивать нас 😡
Thankyou for making this! I’ve always found Kaliningrad fascinating. I’d like to visit someday
Great! Very comprehensive... I've learned a lot. Thank you for your most excellent work. ❤
Vagabond, your channel is unique. OK Bald and Bankrupt comes close, but he doesn't explore remote abandoned places on his own or ride iron ore trains across the whole of the Russian Federation eating nothing but noodles and wearing just a light rain jacket! 😂 Keep up the great work, Kaliningrad is such a strange and interesting place that we haven't seen on TV or UA-cam in the UK. So much history although sadly mostly just related to invasion and conflict. Including today...
I’m glad we can agree that Vagabond beats Bald. I love both channels, but there’s just something beautiful about a native Russian exploring his own country. I’ve already seen all of Bald’s Russia videos and he has been banned, so it’s nice to see some new stuff from Vagabond’s perspective!
But the thing is, unlike Bald, who is a British sex tourist, Vagabond is a real Russian (like me btw) traveling around his own country completely off the grid.
@@yumallah True! Haven't watched bald since that space shuttle finally and the Russian authorities doesn't want him back (yet) so don't expect to see any stuff from him in a while. Vagabond can do it without any questionable shenanigans.
Simple: Ivan is hardcore, Bald is not
Bald makes good content but he is, for many reasons, an immoral asshole. So I much rather watch someone else make these kinds of videos.
Thank you for doing this. I remember in February 2022 seeing this little think on the map of Russia when everyone was talking about the war and google mapping it to see what the heck Kaliningrad was. This is even better as it makes me feel like, I have seen this strange place.
I had a school teacher named Mrs Köstlin when I started Primary school. I'll never forget her, a tall slim lady wearing her greying hair in a classic bun at back of her head. Her kindly large grey eyes always projected a kindness when she smiled. My mother always remarked about her regal posture. Together with her family she escaped Königsberg in a horse drawn wagon via the Frozen Baltic sea to Hamburg. I often wondered about this place and thank the VAGA VAGABOND for bringing the reality of this city's once existence as Königsberg to me.
The bridge in Tilsit was indeed German. It was called the Queen Louise Bridge. She was and still is a legendary figure in Germany, generally described as "angelic". Consort of the King of Prussia, she went to Tilsit to meet Napoleon to plead on behalf of Prussia, begging him to agree a merciful settlement respecting her country's needs and dignity. He wasn't very interested.
Danke Eine sehr gute Erklärung
Die Steine sprechen immer noch Deutsch in der ganzen ehemalig deutschen Provinz !
Thank you !
An exellent explanation !
The bricks are still speaking German all around this former german province!
Danke .
Those stones speak German?
Interesting..
Yeah, there are over 70 thousand stones all over Europe that “speak German”..
@@UTube4Junky Should still speak German. Everything Russia touches ends up as a poor, ugly architectural eyesore.
@@Anthony-db7cs
Well, technically, “should still speak Prussian” (linguistically close to Lithuanian) or Polish.
The German speaking Teutonic Knights (for-hire mercenaries hired by the Polish Duke Conrad of Mazovia) exterminated all original Prussians (who were N O T Germans), adopted their name and became known as “Prussians” in order to claim the land.
The German speaking pope backed their claim and thugs the centuries long saga of the “German Prussia” had began..
Kaliningrad needs to go back to Poland/Lithuania and become Królewiec/Karaliaučius.
I know, I know… history is sooo boooring.. 🙄
The rest of your post “anything russia touches” I agree with..
I was so fascinated by all the history you shared. I hope to visit this area soon.Thank you.
I have learned further things of Kaliningrad history. Thank you for your interesting and very long video.
Vistula is also the name of one of the biggest rivers in Poland, it flows out into the Baltic Sea near Gdańsk, so not far from where you were. This river flows through both Warsaw and Kraków and originates from the mountains in the south of Poland
It's literally the biggest river...
Weichsel
Great Videos. Relaxed, informativ and real. I chuckled when you told us what vegetagles the residents grow in their gardens :D
You are an amazing man. Unique. Extraordinary. You really go everywhere, radiate boundless curiosity, meet the people, ask all the necessary questions, try literally anything. One never knows quite what's coming next! I was particularly fascinated here by the extreme contrast of the impressively stocked supermarket full of goods - and then the bitterness of the two old men complaining of severe shortages, empty shops etc.
Found this channel a couple of days ago, now I'm addicted. Great work! I lived in Moscow for some time, but never went outside the oblast, so this is very very interesting
You are doing a good job mate. Keep at it. *hug
Sunday morning, coffee is ready, and I see a new Vagabond video! Awesome!
As a German student in the early 1980s we were never told about Kaliningrad/Konigsberg. As far as we were told Germany consisted of West and East Germany. We were never told about Prussia or the German regions now in Poland.
There is a very interesting museum nowadays in Gdańsk which I was lucky to visit which also showed something of German populations in the region.
Very interesting to see all this. Thanks.
Woah, great video!
I am the local one living in the Kaliningrad (technically not really local, but here because of University). I really liked this place (im from other russian region), but also hated some stuff, like some crosswalkes are not so greatly placed. Also so funny stuff. For example students from KSTU (Kalinigrad State Technical University) are doing a lot of excesersizes on the Kant's Island.
There are also Shipyard Yantar near Kaliningrad but it's not acceable for folks like you. But I managed to visit in several times as part of my student program.
It's kinda sad that I managed to find this video only now!
You were born for this journey! They way you approach subjects pulls me in as almost if I am there. The places you visit are priceless gifts to me. The most endearing aspect of all are the people you meet, drive with, stay with, and more. Sometimes I wish you could spend more time with them, it is so good for the soul to know that these folks are just like me/us. Please stay safe and keep up this most beautiful life journey!
It is interesting to watch these kinds of videos to know the history of why the cities are so important now. Well done. This channel deserves a million subscribers. ;)
You’re so knowledgeable and your content is so well presented
Brilliant content. Your videos are very entertaining and informative. I am always very happy when I am notified that you have posted something new!
Super fun to see all of this. I'll probably never get to visit Kaliningrad, but now I have an idea of what life is like there!
Чел, я как калининградец могу сказать, что ты нашел самые перди области, настоящий архитектурный проктолог. Браво, это талант. )))) По подаче одно не понравилось - не Сталин аннексировал, а Сталин с Черчилем и Рузвельтом подписали договор о репарациях. 1/3 Востойной Пруссии - СССР, 2/3 - Польше (тоже получается аннексировали? sic!), а литовцам Мемель / Клайпеда + часть куршской косы.
Great comment!
It's sad that people are misinformed into oversimplified or false historical narratives of a supposedly omnipotent Stalin. It's shocking how pervasive it is.
You are on Foreign land. And of course it's Stalin and russkies who occupied Konigsberg. And the baltics. And so much more.
@@ikariameriks
The Naz!s and their collaborators shouldn't have invaded the USSR and tried genociding its people then. See Generalplan Ost.
Fuck around and find out -- simple as...
The Baltics are not real countries anyway. They have been Polish, Swedish, German and now American colonies. Glorified military outposts against the East.
@@ikariameriks shut up shouting insect, nobody asked you who's this land is.
@@ikariameriks this land is small payment for millions killed Russians . Germans who lived here and in polish part of Prussia were thrown away from here but at least not killed.
Excellent video. Absolutely fascinating and interesting.
"Every war is fucking bullshit" - truth!
What about war for independence?
@moravianlion3108 yes, even that.
Not for European after every war European becomes more richer see USA 🇺🇸………
This is why I don't watch tv anymore. Wonderfull work!
The bridge across Neman in Sovetsk/Tilsit/Tilžė connected a suburb, now independent town in Lithuania, Panemunė, which translates to "By Neman"
DE in that time just made a bridge to another suburb of Tilžė, nice. Nemunas was just a small river for them
man, my anscestors are from there, so want to visit!!!!! great video
Hello from Canada 🇨🇦 Big fan of your channel. I love how you show everyday life for the Russian people; as well as, the historical and natural environment.
Wow your videos are so great so much information and a beautiful country
Absolutely fascinating, the finest video I’ve seen of this forgotten part of Eastern Europe. Carry on with these wonderful videos.
Great content as always. Greetings from Brazil!
Wow so beautiful . The train reminds me the tranvía of Mexico City. Wow so much history in this Russian enclave. Love ❤ from Minneapolis Minnesota 🙏🙏
Он не показал кучу красивых мест,а только руины в основном.Жаль.Привет из Калининграда
@@Roman-cs9gn I don't understand. Sorry brother
@@88arakvita в Ютубе есть встроенный переводчик бро
Thx for the nice video and a great history lesson.
Some of it I knew from before, but you did a great job completing it.
You give the best tours and information about the places that you visit, Thank you my friend.
Thank you, it was interesting for me, as a local of Konigsberg!
The area he called "favellas" is a former Soviet boathouses "cooperative", they are called "(h)ellings", as I recall, the owners were smart enough to transform them into habitable houses during the administrative chaos of the 90s.
Correct.
@@ivantrainsLIVEHi, Sir. Love and peace from the UK.
What a wonderful tour! As a student of history this is an area I wanted to explore. Thank you for sharing with everyone!
Отлично видео!
Great video thank you. Insightful.
Only learned about Kaliningrad when I was traveling around Lithuania for work. Being able to learn more about it thanks to you is a treat!
Thank you for this video. Excellent documentary. Professional job.
It is crazy to see the difference between Gdansk and Kaliningrad. So close. Similar history, but Gdansk is a thriving 21st century city while Kaliningrad seems stuck to late 90s.
So? That happens all over the world. San Diego, USA and Tijuana, Mexico are basically one urban area divided by a border and the difference between both is enormous.
What? Gdansk is dirty trash spawn in fact))
europeans seething about russia in every russian video is hilarious
@@jay1jayf More like Russians being unable to accept a simple fact due to their misplaced pride; or dare I say, arrogance
@@diegoflores9237 As far as I am aware USA and Mexico have not been one country with the same population, language and culture about 80 years ago...
You make great content! Спасибо большое.
A bastion, by the way, usually tends to be a separate, further forward position that was indeed the first place to be assaulted. The point was to deplete enemy forces from a position, that you could abandon eventually to fall back to the main fortress with minimal risk for your own life or the entire fortress being captured upon retreat.
I love how beautiful everything you show us is
43:36. Incredible. Put that in perspective. That bell was made when the Kingdom of Prussia existed. Not Germany, not the german empire, not the north german confederation. The HRE still existed. New France still existed in north america. The Qing Empire was a truly great power. Russia had gained Saint Petersburg from the Swedish Empire 26 years earlier. Poland-Lithuania Still existed. I could go on and on. That bell has survived so many different eras in european history. It’s probably one of the last authentic actually “Prussian” things anywhere in the Kaliningrad Oblast besides a few bombed out or otherwise abandoned buildings and private houses. I hope Koenigsberg becomes German once again but it will never happen. Germany tore itself apart and signed away its history to a country that cared nothing about it.
So excited for another installment. Going to find an actual TV right now.
John Kay, the lead singer of Steppenwolf ("Born to be Wild"), was born in Tilsit, as was Edgar Froese, founder of Tangerine Dream. So it has some considerable musical pedigree!
Russians killed his father
Did not know that ! Very important information to me !
1 and a half hours! Thank you sir!
Been there in July on my way with my wife to her hometown in Ufa. Pretty nice place, clean and lots of nice things to see. Even tho its small. Also lived in hotel Skiperskaya in this fishin village :) cozy area. Bagrationovsk has border crossing with polan. I mean just few kms away. Thats where i have been crossing border to and from Russia. However its not for pedestrians. U need to be at least on bicycle to cross it.
A very interesting video. Thank you. It reminded me of my visits to Kaliningrad, from my home in the UK.
i dont know why, but your accent is much easier to understand than some american english speakers, for me at least. i'm brazilian btw
nice video and trip, as always
His accent sounds Dutch to me, rather than American English.
Great content! Thanks to people like you, us westerners can experience all those Russian places that are rarely talked about. You're bringing a new light and knowledge to all of us keep strong my friend
absolutely devastating what happened to Königsberg
The city was destroyed by Great Britain. They knew that Koenigsberg would go to the USSR.
It's actually devastating and very sad what happened all over Europe from the sides of the Germans and the Russians. If one didn't destroy something the other side did.
Vyborg is in a similar state of disrepair. Not surprising, given the general upkeep of infrastructure in Russia.
by britain and ussr@@kotbarsik777
Seeing that Germany doesn't have a King it really is a redundant name.
Extremely informative and captivating footage! Well done!
Great video, some very interesting history!
I grew up hearing about this special place. My grandfather's pain of losing his homeland to the insane and needless destruction of war tinged those stories. I feel as though I miss it too. Hopefully peace will come and I can stand in the place where my ancestors lived and loved not so long ago. Thank you for producing an interesting a showcase of what this region is today.
Be prepared to be massively disappointed. It's Russia we're talking about.
@@kraanz лол разочерование, ты свой берлин видел ? Везде нассано, бомжи и наркоманы и не понятно где ты находишься в берлине или в Стамбуле.
@@СергейТурутин-ч6г You suck. "I suck? BUT HE SUCKS EVEN MORE!" Classic Soviet whataboutism.
@@kraanzit actually looks pretty nice to me I was taught by my Russian teacher that outside of Moscow and St Petersburg Russia was ugly and well not ugly but the roads weren't paved people didn't have toilets so it's nice to think that in kaliningrad they have something. Of course it was left by the Germans and the Russians moved into it I would like to know how the Soviet Union decided which Russian citizens should have the honor of moving to kaliningrad and rebuilding. Does anyone know?
@@СергейТурутин-ч6гyou're not wrong.
Awesome video man. Thanks for sharing.
This is by far one of your most interesting and informative videos. Sadly, it is so riddled with spam ads (some just a few minutes apart), that is is difficult and very time consuming to watch. I've heard from other UA-camrs that it is possible for you to reduce ads. Please consider doing so.
spark adblock*
Just get an adblocker or use a browser with an adblocker, the ad spam comes from
youtube trying to compensate for the people blocking ads.
Thank you for this very interesting eploration/explanation! I have been watching it out till the end.
As always, great stuff. Thank you for these insights into a very interesting place
This channel is so impressive. You know so much about these places.
mir schmerzt das herz, unser schönes ostpreußen...
Tchja Tadeus
@@uwuwuewuewueunjetjemuwueub2385 hey patrick, na mal wieder dein hirn vergessen ..,😄
I have walked train tracks for a long time. I have been around trains a long time. I never noticed dates on train track components until I watched your content.
Architecture, History, Rail Gauge variations and supermarket visits - thanks for this awesome video!
I liked your curiosity about the regional cheese in Sowetsk / Tilsit, as Tilsit is famous for its Tilsiter cheese (Тильзитер) - Having its origin in this area.
Thank you for this excellent travel video; one of the best I've seen.
Thank you for sharing your trip to this beautiful land.
So well researched. Well done mate