Artist: Fritz von Graevenitz
Size: 6m+ wingspan, 3.5m high
Weight: 3000kg
Material: Bronze
Original Location:On top of the ‘Tribünenturm’ at the Erich-Koch-Platz, Königsberg, Prussia (now Kaliningrad, Russia).
Current location: Unknown (suspected destroyed at the end of the war)
Kaliningrad, Russia’s Western-most city, is a unique place. Until 1945, it was the Prussian city of Königsberg. It was claimed by the USSR after World War II and was renamed in honour of Mikhail Kalinin (a figurehead Soviet head of state under Stalin). Its Prussian heritage was largely obliterated during the war. The football stadium however survived.
The stadium was built in the late 19th century and claims to be the oldest surviving football ground in Russia. It had hosted VfB Königsberg games in the old German National Championship in the early years of the 20th century. Today, it’s the home ground of Baltika Kaliningrad, strugglers in the National League, Russia’s second tier.
Pics (under construction):
Pics (Period):
Pics (post 1945):
Interesting Point 1:
- Mention stadium today details
The Erich-Koch-Platz in former Königsberg is nowadays the Baltika Stadium in Kaliningrad. This is a multi-purpose stadium and was home to FC Baltika Kaliningrad until 2018.
The tower remains (minus the eagle) and the swastika wreaths (minus thew swastikas) remain – 13 out of 14 of them. Post 1945 the swastikas were cut from the wreaths. The photos below show the original wreaths and how they appear today alongside the original tower.
Interesting Point 2:
The Königsberg eagle at the top of the ‘Tribünenturm’ at the Erich-Koch-Platzmention has a significant likeness with Möltenort U-Boat Memorial in Heikendorf near Kiel. The two eagles (and their likeness can be seen below which is interesting as this style of eagle is very unique and these are the only 2 known versions.
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Similar styled eagle:
Useful links: