Russian Kaliningrad and Polish Gdańsk - comparison

[Bonobo]

Two cities, Konigsberg and Danzig belonged to Germany before WW2.

Danzig before war




















Konigsberg

[pjotr]

Interesting historical images with great architecture. What a nice atmosphere Danzig had and has with it's multi-ethnic and multi-national past! With it's Polish, Prussian and Dutch layers. It's architecture looks like Flemish, Dutch and Danish (Copenhagen) cities and towns.

[Bonobo]

Oct 18, 2015 23:14:11 GMT 1 pjotr said:

It's architecture looks like Flemish, Dutch and Danish (Copenhagen) cities and towns.

It was Poland`s window to Europe, it is natural it adopted European patterns. And mostly architecture by these nationalities you mention was rescued after WW2.


In result of WW2, both cities were heavily destroyed by the attacking Red Army and Western allies` bombing.

Gdańsk 1945. Air raids and street fighting caused a lot of damage but we can still call it "standard." Much worse was after-battle pillaging and burning houses by drunk Soviet soldiers who celebrated the victory for a few days. Whole quarters vanished in this way, especially The Old Town. Nobody and nothing could stop that madness. Losses: 80%.
















Konigsberg after WW2. Heavy bombing by allies in 1944 caused main damage. Later Soviets had sieged it for weeks before they captured it. Losses: 90%.



















From here:
canitz.org/site/

[Bonobo]

When the war finished, Poles started to rebuild Gdańsk while Russians started to demolish Kaliningrad (ex Konigsberg).


Gdańsk- rebuilding. With horse carts and hands.

























Kaliningrad

The whole district levelled, the ruins of the Castle still standing.


Demolition of the remains of the Castle in 1968

[Bonobo]

Gdańsk today.



















Compare:




It is visible the city became less dense. Some quarters of buildings weren`t rebuilt, they gave way to backyards full of vegetation. But the city managed to retain its characteristic flair.

[Bonobo]

Kaliningrad today

[Eric]

Both are modern, vibrant cities that are very much alive. They suffered through a common past that led to their destruction, then a different method of reviving the cities after the war. They also belong to different countries, so differences are natural. But the results speak for themselves, and it's safe to say that both cities have certainly recovered from the terrible destruction they once endured.

[Bonobo]

Nov 25, 2015 12:40:29 GMT 1 Eric said:

Both are modern, vibrant cities that are very much alive. They suffered through a common past that led to their destruction, then a different method of reviving the cities after the war. They also belong to different countries, so differences are natural. But the results speak for themselves, and it's safe to say that both cities have certainly recovered from the terrible destruction they once endured.

Well, I would like to live in Gdańsk because it reminds me of historical Krakow. I wouldn`t like to live in Kaliningrad because history has been wiped out in this city and it seems there are no prospects for it to return there soon.
Sorry, I am too history oriented guy.

PS. It looks like Poles tried to keep the European heritage which had developed in Gdańsk over centuries, while Russians fully rejected it in Kaliningrad. Interesting differences in attitude, I think.

[Bonobo]

A Russian author also compared Gdańsk and Kaliningrad. The article is in Polish but at least see the pics - despite certain vices, like drab backyards full of mud, he appreciates Gdańsk very much as full of life while Kalinigrad seems empty to him.

varlamov.ru/2547015.html

PS. OMG, time passes so quickly, I thought I started this thread last year while it is 4 years old.