House of Soviets

Kaliningrad, Russia

The House of Soviets is a building located in the city of Kaliningrad and was built on the original territory of Königsberg Castle. The castle was severely damaged during the bombing of Königsberg in World War II. Following the war, as the city came under the control of the USSR, the site of the castle was redeveloped as part of the reconstruction of the city. Construction began on the House of Soviets in 1960, and was intended to be the central administration building of the Kaliningrad Oblast.

Continuation of development was stopped in the 1980s after the Regional Party Committee lost interest in the project and cut off funding. The building was left unfinished for many years, and earned notoriety as one on the worst examples of post-war Soviet architecture.

In 2005, for a visit by President Vladimir Putin, the exterior was painted light blue and windows were installed. However, the interior remains unfinished and unusable. A German consultant has recommended tearing down the entire structure and building anew as cheaper and safer than attempting to repair and finish the existing shell.

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Founded: 1960
Category: Miscellaneous historic sites in Russia

Rating

2.9/5 (based on Google user reviews)

User Reviews

Stellar Tears (3 years ago)
It's just a terrible and worthless attraction - at the sight of such a blood runs cold, how can you smash the ruins of a historic castle and build this on the bones !? Not only does this landscape not decorate, it also has no functionality! One can only hear the barking of security chants in the wasteland and the howl of the wind in the broken windows.
Oxana A. (3 years ago)
This is just a terrible and useless landmark - at the sight of such a thing, the blood freezes in your veins, how can you break down the ruins of a historical castle and build this on the bones !? Not only does this landscape not decorate, it also does not carry any functionality! Only the barking of security dogs in the wasteland and the howl of the wind in the broken windows are heard.
Elena Avet (3 years ago)
An ugly building, like blowing up a castle. It is unpleasant to pass by and spoils the view of the city.
Marina Sedykh (3 years ago)
Monument to the "ennobling" hand of the USSR. Parking around and traces of a destroyed castle
Maxim Zabolosky (3 years ago)
No matter how they treat it, this building is already the hallmark of the city. And thanks to him, the area in front of it is not built up and you can always park your car. As soon as it is demolished, the place will immediately be built up with elite housing. Access to the building is officially closed, previously it was possible for guards to pass for a fee, but now it seems not.
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