Lower Pond (Kaliningrad)

Infobox lake
lake_name = Lower Pond
Schlossteich
image_lake =
caption_lake =
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location = Kaliningrad, Kaliningrad Oblast
coords = coord|54|42|56|N|20|31|6|E|type:waterbody_region:RU-KGD|display=inline,title
type = artificial lake
inflow =
outflow =
catchment =
basin_countries = Russia
length = 1 km
width = 100 m
area =
depth =
max-depth =
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cities =
frozen =

Lower Pond (Russian: Нижний пруд) in Kaliningrad, Kaliningrad Oblast, Russia, is a large artificial pond in the north of the city. The pond is about one kilometre long, north to south. Along its length, its width varies between about 50 and 100 metres.

The source of the water is from the north. The water eventually drains underground down to the river Pregel to the south. During the winter months, the pond can freeze over.

Before the Russian annexation in 1945, the city was Königsberg, capital of East Prussia, and the pond was called Schlossteich (English: Castle Pond), named after nearby Königsberg Castle.

The pond was created when the Teutonic Knights in the 13th Century dammed up the earth leading to the Pregel.

chlossteich (Königsberg)

Schlossteich was famous. It had a scenic promenade around it and was a favourite recreational area for the people of Königsberg, especially students. Schlossteich was surrounded by cafés and was central to many important buildings and places, including Königsberg Castle to the southwest, the new Albertina University building to the west, and Münzplatz at the southern end of the pond.

Next to the west side of Schlossteich there was a statue called "Der Bogenschütze" or "Der Bogenspanner" (English: The Archer), and next to the east side there was Burgkirche (English: Castle Church) and Bellevue (hotel & restaurant).

Pre World War II pictures

The Pond Today

Nearly everything surrounding the pond before World War II was destroyed because of the war, and today the area looks very different.