Fort No. 3
King Friedrich III

Name: Restaurant Usadba
Address: 8A Zarechnaya Street, Orlovka, Kaliningrad Region, RU
Telephone: +74012384850

8 minutes from Usadba

20 minutes from central Kaliningrad

20 minutes by car from Fishing Village

About the fort

Kaliningrad has a remarkable history stretching back to 1255. Exploring every landmark and historic corner of the city and region would take hundreds, perhaps thousands, of hours. If you have less time but want to discover the extraordinary heritage of Russia's westernmost region, this page introduces Fort No. 3, King Friedrich III.

History

1874–1879

Fort No. 3 was the first built in the ring of forts surrounding Konigsberg. Construction took place on Quednau Hill, the highest point in what is now Kaliningrad.

1894

Originally called Quednau, the fort was later named after the soldier king, Friedrich Wilhelm I. In 1894, it received its final name, Fort No. 3, King Friedrich III, which it retains today.

1945

The first attempt to take the fort in January was repelled by German forces. On 8 April 1945, soldiers of the 557th Rifle Regiment captured it after a day of resistance. The fort sustained only minor damage.

2007

Fort No. 3 became a regional cultural heritage site. Today, it is the oldest, largest and best-preserved of Konigsberg's forts.

Plan of Fort No. 3

The fort is a horizontally elongated hexagon covering 6,096.8 square metres, surrounded by a dry moat.

12233555687949

Rear pillbox: a permanent firing position protecting the fort's more vulnerable rear section.
Barracks galleries: a two-storey building containing barracks, an infirmary, a kitchen and stores for ammunition, food, equipment and fuel.
Inner courtyards: two symmetrical courtyards on either side of the central passage. They provide access to the powder magazines, front half-caponiers and ramps, and were also used to position and move artillery, troops and equipment.
Concealed passage: the fort's central corridor ends in an underground tunnel leading to the front caponier and the counterscarp's counter-mine galleries.

Powder magazines: a narrow corridor surrounds the ammunition storage room, protecting it from blast waves and maintaining a constant temperature and humidity.
Moat: a dry moat 13–20 metres wide and 6 metres deep.
Stairway: leads to the observation post and the fighting rampart.
Central observation post: used to observe enemy artillery and infantry.
Observation post: a metal capsule with a rotating armoured cupola, used for observation and adjusting fire against the enemy.

The fort in wartime

First World War

During the First World War, the fort was not a strategic site and did not

take part in combat. After the Treaty of Versailles was signed

and the war ended, disarmament work saw all of the fort's

guns removed, and it was used as a warehouse.

Second World War

Fort No. 3 was stormed during the Second World War. The first attempt came in January 1945, when Red Army troops tried to reach Rothenstein Station, now Kutuzovo. German forces deployed anti-aircraft guns and repelled the attack. On 8 April 1945, soldiers of the 557th Rifle Regiment captured the fort after a full day of resistance. More than 120 German soldiers and the fortress commandant surrendered. The fort suffered only minor damage.

The fort's future

In 2007, Fort No. 3 became a regional cultural heritage site. AgeevGroup leased the fort in 2016.

Preserving history

A key priority is preserving the fort's historic appearance and distinctive architecture. Restoration must respect its status as a cultural heritage monument.

Improving the grounds

Plans for the fort include improving the surrounding grounds and creating a comfortable, engaging space for visitors.

Restoration

Restoration work is planned to preserve the structure and adapt it for future use while retaining its historic value and distinctive fortification architecture.

A visitor attraction

The fort is intended to develop as a visitor attraction. Its history, architecture and surviving layout offer an engaging introduction to Konigsberg's fortification heritage.

How to get here

Address

232 Alexander Nevsky Street, Kaliningrad

Opening hours

Friday, Saturday and Sunday, 11:00–17:00

For details of holiday opening hours and ticket prices, contact project manager Tatyana on +7 906 233-03-80.

8 minutes from Usadba

20 minutes from central Kaliningrad

Other attractions

We have gathered our favourite regional sights and personal recommendations for you. Come and experience the atmosphere for yourself, and discover your own Kaliningrad Usadba.