Svetlogorsk, Kaliningrad Oblast

Svetlogorsk is situated in the historical region of Sambia of East Prussia. It was established in 1258[2] as a Sambian fishermen settlement named Ruse-moter (lit. region of cellars). The Teutonic Order that conquered the land gradually corrupted the name into Rause-moter, Raushe-moter, and finally Rauschen. The order brothers set a new direction for the life of the village: they blocked off the Katzenbach stream, which flows into the lake, and installed a mill on the stream.  From that time on, the lake became known as Mühlen-taich (Mill Pond), and the mill business became the main one for the inhabitants of the village.  During the Order's times it was the largest mill on Samland.

Rauschen water tower

In the early 19th century, the place became fashionable among German vacationers. Since access to the sea was hampered by a sand dune, the picturesque corners of the lake were the place of residence and recreation.  A tavern was opened near the mill, new villas and boarding houses were built. On June 24, 1820, it was officially recognized as a spa town. During his visit to Rauschen in 1840, King Frederick William IV of Prussia ordered the sea embankment to be beautified. The popularity of the city as a resort has grown significantly since 1900, when a railway was built from Königsberg to Rauschen / Orth station, extended in 1906 to Rauschen / Dune station.  Trains were now able to drive closer to the sea, and the resort became much more accessible for many residents of Königsberg.  A positive role both in the development of the resort and in attracting tourists was played by the hippodrome opened in Rauschen by the equestrian society.  The city began to divide into two parts: the lower one - near the lake, and the upper one (40-50 m higher) by the sea.  The upper village was located approximately at an altitude of up to 60 m above sea level, so a pleasant event in his life was the opening in 1912 of a funicular - a 90-meter inclined railroad to deliver holidaymakers to the sea and back.  The arrangement of the resort could not do without the arrangement of beach areas.  In 1908, a wooden promenade-promenade deck was built on the seashore on stilts, several serpentine descents led to it. Otto Nicolai, Wilhelm von Humboldt, Käthe Kollwitz and Thomas Mann were among the celebrities who stayed there. In the early years of the 20th century, private individuals launched an intensive construction of country houses, villas, boarding houses in Rauschen, especially in the upper part of the resort.

In 14 April 1945, Rauschen was conquered by the Soviet Union in the course of World War II. It became a part of Kaliningrad Oblast and in 17 June 1947 was given its present name.[2] Today, it is a moderately popular summer resort town thanks to its beachfront and many spas, clubs, and attractions. It has arguably the best preserved Prussian heritage and architecture amongst former Soviet towns that were once Prussian and survived the destruction of Konigsberg and other settlements from WWII.

Svetlogorsk beach in June

Within the framework of administrative divisions, Svetlogorsk serves as the administrative center of Svetlogorsky District.[1] As an administrative division, it is incorporated within Svetlogorsky District as the town of district significance of Svetlogorsk.[1] As a municipal division, the town of district significance of Svetlogorsk is incorporated within Svetlogorsky Municipal District as Svetlogorskoye Urban Settlement.[5]

Svetlogorsk is connected with Kaliningrad, Zelenogradsk, and Pionersky by electrified railway (3000 V DC). Svetlogorsk has two railway stations: Svetlogorsk-1 and Svetlogorsk-2 (terminus).

There are many private companies that operate buses between Svetlogorsk and Kaliningrad.