KÖNIGSBERG, a city and seaport of Prussia, capital of the government of the same name, and of the province of E. Prussia, is situated on both banks, and on an island in the centre of the Pregel, about 4 miles from its mouth. It is divided, exclusive of suburbs, into three parts, originally distinct towns, each with its own magistrates; the Altstadt, or old town, the Löbenicht, both on the N. side of the river, and the Kneiphof, on the island. The two former occupy an elevated site, consisting of seven low hills; the latter is built on piles, the island being swampy. Seven wooden bridges connect the various parts of the city. It is strongly fortified, and since 1843 the fortifications have been greatly increased. The general aspect of the city from a distance is sufficiently imposing, but a nearer view reveals the irregularity and meanness of the streets and the paucity of fine public buildings. The most interesting of the latter is the cathedral, in the Kneiphof, a fine Gothic building of the fourteenth century, containing the monument of Margrave Albert, and the tombs of many Teutonic knights. The palace (Schloss), an ungainly but venerable pile, founded in 1257 by King Ottocar of Bohemia, afterwards the residence of the Teutonic grandmasters, and in the present century of Frederick William III. and his queen, when driven by Napoleon from Berlin, is now used as the government house. In the palace church the first Frederick placed the Prussian crown on his own head; the walls are covered with the names of men who fell in the war of 1813. Above it is the Muscovite Hall, 300 feet long, 60 broad, and 19 in height, without pillars or ornament. Near the cathedral is the Albertine University, founded in 1554 by Margrave Albert, having about 50 lecturers and above 300 students; connected with it is a library of about 50,000 volumes, a museum, a botanic garden, and observatory. There are two theological academies, three gymnasias, and a public library of 160,000 volumes. In the Königsgarten, or Parade, is a fine equestrian statue of Frederick William III., in bronze, by Kiss. The trade of Königsberg, which has declined in the present century, is chiefly in corn, hemp, flax, linseed, tallow, &c. Amber was formerly an important article of trade; it is still exported in small quantities. There is not depth of water for large vessels nearer than Pillau, at the mouth of the Friesche-Haff, a flourishing place of 4000 inhabitants, about 24 miles from Königsberg. A large proportion of the trade is with Britain. The principal manufactures are woollens, silks, leather, soap, refined sugar, sailcloth, iron and steel ware, &c.; there are also extensive breweries, distilleries, and building yards.
Königsberg ranks third among Prussian cities, being preceded only by Berlin and Breslau. Its foundation is due to the Teutonic Knights, who erected a fort here in 1225. It joined the Hanseatic League in 1365, and was, from 1457 to 1528, the residence of the Teutonic grandmaster. In 1657 it came into the possession of the Elector of Brandenburg, who made it his capital. The Russians occupied it from 1758 to 1761, and the French in 1807, when it suffered greatly. Of distinguished natives of the town the most celebrated was the metaphysician Kant, who never wandered 20 miles from the city during a life of eighty years. His house, No. 3 Prinzessin Strasse, is still shown; his tomb is in a porch outside the cath-
Königstein dral. In Latin the town is called Regiomontum, or Mons Regius.
Koräes.