Zelenogradsk

Zelenogradsk (Russian: Зеленогра́дск IPA: [zʲɪlʲɪnɐˈgratsk] ), prior to 1946 known by its German name Cranz (Lithuanian and Old Prussian: Krantas), is a town and the administrative center of Zelenogradsky District in Kaliningrad Oblast, Russia, located 34 kilometers (21 mi) north of Kaliningrad, on the Sambian coastline near the Curonian Spit on the Baltic Sea. Population: 17,296 (2021 census); 13,026 (2010 census); 12,509 (2002 census); 10,786 (1989 Soviet census). 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. History The site of today's Zelenogradsk was originally an Old Prussian fishing village, in the proximity of Kaup, a Prussian town on the coast of the Baltic Sea in the Viking era. The area became controlled by the Teutonic Order and settled with Germans. The German name Cranz, originally Cranzkuhren, derives from the Old Prussian word krantas, meaning "the coast". For most of its history, it remained a small village. From the 18th century it formed part of the Kingdom of Prussia, in 1758–1762 it was under Russian control, and from 1871 it was also part of Germany, 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 charter. The area was overrun by the Soviet 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 and was granted town status in the subsequent years. In 2015, a monument of poet Adam Mickiewicz was erected in the town to commemorate his visit in 1824. Administrative and municipal status Within the framework of administrative divisions, Zelenogradsk serves as the administrative center of Zelenogradsky District. As an administrative division, it is incorporated within Zelenogradsky District as the town of district significance of Zelenogradsk. Within the framework of municipal divisions, since May 15, 2015, the territories of the town of district significance of Zelenogradsk and of four rural okrugs of Zelenogradsky District are incorporated as Zelenogradsky Urban Okrug. Before that, the town of district significance was incorporated within Zelenogradsky Municipal District as Zelenogradskoye Urban Settlement. Tourism The tourism industry was neglected during the Cold War and Zelenogradsk's tourism primacy was relinquished to nearby Svetlogorsk. Notable people Adolf Tortilowicz von Batocki-Friebe (1868–1944), politician Abel Ehrlich (1915–2003), composer Volker Lechtenbrink (1944-2021), actor Beate Uhse-Rotermund (1919–2001), aviator and entrepreneur Mary Saran (1897–1976), journalist Twin towns and sister cities Zelenogradsk is twinned with: Łeba, Poland Borgholm, Sweden Former twin towns: Braniewo, Poland In March 2022, the Polish city of Braniewo terminated its partnership with Zelenogradsk as a reaction to the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine. References Notes Sources Калининградская областная Дума. Закон №463 от 27 мая 2010 г. «Об административно-территориальном устройстве Калининградской области», в ред. Закона №450 от 3 июля 2015 г. «О внесении изменений в Закон Калининградской области "Об административно-территориальном устройстве Калининградской области"». Вступил в силу со дня официального опубликования. Опубликован: "Калининградская правда" (вкладыш "Ведомости Правительства Калининградской области"), №112, 26 июня 2010 г. (Kaliningrad Oblast Duma. Law #463 of May 27, 2010 On the Administrative-Territorial Structure of Kaliningrad Oblast, as amended by the Law #450 of July 3, 2015 On Amending the Law of Kaliningrad Oblast "On the Administrative-Territorial Structure of Kaliningrad Oblast". Effective as of the day of the official publication.). Правительство Калининградской области. Постановление №640 от 30 августа 2011 г. «Об утверждении реестра объектов административно-территориального деления Калининградской области», в ред. Постановления №877 от 21 ноября 2011 г «О внесении изменения в Постановление Правительства Калининградской области от 30 августа 2011 г. №640». Вступил в силу со дня официального опубликования. Опубликован: "Калининградская правда" (вкладыш "Официально"), №170, 15 сентября 2011 г. (Government of Kaliningrad Oblast. Resolution #640 of August 30, 2011 On the Adoption of the Registry of the Objects of the Administrative-Territorial Divisions of Kaliningrad Oblast, as amended by the Resolution #877 of November 21, 2011 On Amending the Resolution of the Government of Kaliningrad Oblast #640 of August 30, 2011. Effective as of the day of the official publication.). Калининградская областная Дума. Закон №420 от 27 апреля 2015 г. «Об объединении поселений, входящих в состав муниципального образования "Зеленоградский район", и организации местного самоуправления на объединённой территории», в ред. Закона №452 от 4 сентября 2015 г. «О внесении изменений в Закон Калининградской области "Об объединении поселений, входящих в состав муниципального образования "Зеленоградский район", и организации местного самоуправления на объединённой территории"». Вступил в силу по истечении десяти дней со дня официального опубликования. Опубликован: Официальный интернет-портал правовой информации http://www.pravo.gov.ru, 5 мая 2015 г. (Kaliningrad Oblast Duma. Law #420 of April 27, 2015 On the Merger of the Settlements Comprising the Municipal Formation of "Zelenogradsky District" and on the Organization of the Local-Self Government on the United Territory, as amended by the Law #452 of September 4, 2015 On Amending the Law of Kaliningrad Oblast "On the Merger of the Settlements Comprising the Municipal Formation of "Zelenogradsky District" and on the Organization of the Local-Self Government on the United Territory". Effective as of after ten days from the day of the official publication have passed.). External links Media related to Zelenogradsk at Wikimedia Commons Official website of Zelenogradsk (in Russian) Zelenogradsk Business Directory (in Russian)