- Title: Medieval castle in Russia's west to be turned from prison to museum
- Date: 17th September 2021
- Summary: KALININGRAD REGION, RUSSIA (SEPTEMBER 16, 2021) (REUTERS) (MUTE) VARIOUS OF DRONE FOOTAGE OF CASTLE GROUNDS THAT WAS USED AS PRISON SITE SEEN FROM ROAD SITE WINDOW WITH BARBED WIRE BARBED WIRE ON BUILDING BARBED WIRE VARIOUS OF BUILDING WITH RAIN FALLING PIGEONS ON FOUNTAIN PEOPLE UNDER UMBRELLAS IN COURTYARD VARIOUS OF MEDIEVAL CASTLE BUILDING VARIOUS OF HALL (SOUNDBITE) (Russian) CULTURE AND TOURISM MINISTER OF KALININGRAD REGION, ANDREI YERMAK, SAYING: "The condition of the building is very good generally, much better than other castles in Kaliningrad region. We can say that this castle is one of the best-preserved castles of that period of time, even in the whole of Europe. That is why I think it may become a very interesting cultural site." PEOPLE TAKING PICTURES VARIOUS OF CEILING DECORATION PEOPLE INSIDE HALL VARIOUS OF ROOMS (SOUNDBITE) (Russian) CULTURE AND TOURISM MINISTER OF KALININGRAD REGION, ANDREI YERMAK, SAYING: "We will start to prepare a concept of what can be done here - not only inside the castle but on the whole site in general because it is very important to make the most effective decisions for the site. As for the excursions, we are going to start first group tours this year." CASTLE WALL SEEN ACROSS RIVER VARIOUS OF CASTLE
- Embargoed: 1st October 2021 13:18
- Keywords: Kaliningrad Russia Russia's west Teutonic Order castle museum prison
- Location: KALININGRAD REGION, RUSSIA
- City: KALININGRAD REGION, RUSSIA
- Country: Russia
- Topics: Arts/Culture/Entertainment,Europe
- Reuters ID: LVA001EV3YYWP
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: A castle complex built in the Middle Ages is to be turned into a museum after serving decades as a prison in Russia's western-most Kaliningrad region.
The region's tourism minister, Andrei Yermak, said on Thursday (September 16) Tapiau Castle was in good condition and work would begin on plans to turn the site into a museum.
The last inmates were moved from the site to other locations in Kaliningrad region earlier this year, according to a media release by the region's justice ministry.
Lying in the town of Gvardeysk, the castle was established by the crusading Teutonic Order in the 13th century.
It went on to host famous guests in later centuries, including Polish astronomer Nicolas Copernicus, the justice ministry said.
The castle "is one of the best-preserved" from the late Middle Ages in the region, Yermak said.
The justice ministry said the restoration and development of a museum would take inspiration from similar sites in neighbouring Poland.
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