u/No_Philosophy8349

Remains of the fortress defensive walls

Ragnit Fortress (town of Neman). Yes, it is a fortress, not a castle. From the 19th century, the fortress housed a prison. Since 2023, a partial restoration has been underway; the fortress has a very large perimeter. Emergency stabilization work is being carried out in the fortress, the inner courtyard and part of the basement have been cleared, and windows are being installed on the ground floor. There are also plans to install a "false" roof made of metal beams and decking (see pictures). The restoration is being funded by Ivan Artyukh, an entrepreneur from Kaliningrad, with assistance from the local city administration. Ivan observed how castles are restored in neighboring Poland, and this experience has proven useful to him.

Another castle of the Teutonic Order. Restoration work began in 2024, as the castle was in a dilapidated state. As of April 2026, the roof installation is underway. The renovation work is planned to be completed by the end of the year.

In 1403, it was captured by the army of Grand Duke of Lithuania Vytautas. During the Seven Years' War (1757), the headquarters of Russian Field Marshal S. F. Apraksin was located here. During the Napoleonic Wars, the castle housed the headquarters of French Marshal Louis-Nicolas Davout.

The Forburg (a utility building) has been preserved, along with a few ruins of the citadel (the main structure). The citadel began to fall into disrepair as early as the 18th century.

In 1807, Preußisch Eylau Castle (now in the Kaliningrad Oblast) witnessed war in its most terrible guise. Thousands of wounded, frozen surgical saws, and the Emperor of France writing grim letters in the midst of a hospital.

Neuhausen Castle is located 7 km from Kaliningrad.

The main restoration works were completed in 2025. Currently, the castle's premises are being filled with museum exhibits and landscaping is underway.

Interesting Events:

• 1550 - Duke Albrecht gifted the castle to Anna Maria von Braunschweig.
• 1553 - Albrecht Friedrich, son of Duke Albrecht and Anna Maria, was born in the castle.
• 1564 - Paul Scalich, the disgraced favorite of Duke Albrecht, escaped from Neuhausen.
• 1568 - Anna Maria, wife of Duke Albrecht, died in Neuhausen.
• 1630-1640 - Elector George William organized summer entertainments in the Neuhausen Zoo.
• 1714 - King Frederick William I left an inscription in the guest book of the Neuhausen inn: "Long live Prussia!".

Tapiau Castle is a Teutonic Order castle in the town of Gvardeysk ( ex. Tapiau) Kaliningrad region. In March 2023, the walls of the wing were stripped of plaster, revealing a rhomboid geometric pattern made of glazed brick underneath.

By the end of 2024, almost all Soviet-era structures on the territory of Tapiau Castle, which were in a dilapidated state and obstructed the view of the castle from the river, had been dismantled. The restoration of the castle wing's exterior was completed, and finishing work in the interior spaces is nearing completion. As of today, the main construction work on the castle is finished. However, landscaping of the grounds is still ongoing.

The Lada C is a joint project between Lada and the Canadian automotive components manufacturer Magna International, which involves the creation of a series of C-segment cars.

This prototype was first unveiled in 2007 at the Geneva International Motor Show. Its technical specifications were listed on the exhibition stand: length – 4208 mm, width – 1835 mm, height – 1548 mm, engine displacement – 2.0 L, and maximum speed – 210 km/h.

However, the project was frozen in 2009 and completely shut down in 2014. The exact reasons are unknown.

Addition:

In 2009, cooperation with Magna International was frozen in favor of the Franco-Japanese alliance "Renault-Nissan," and the French company Renault acquired a 25% stake in AvtoVAZ. The alliance provided its B0 platforms (not to be confused with the "Lada B" platform). However, the developments with Magna International remain valid and will be used in the creation of new vehicles.

Since 2009, due to the difficult economic situation of OJSC "AvtoVAZ," "Project C" has been suspended. The "Lada B" platform and a number of developments formed the basis for the new Lada Vesta model.

A very brief and neutral review.

The new Lada Azimut car leaves mixed feelings.

It is a B+ class crossover. Azimut is initially front-wheel drive, like its competitors, meaning it only has front-wheel drive. It's hard to say how many French influences from Renault it has and how many from China.

To me ( just my opinion) this car could use more personality, but that's a common issue that many other carmakers face too.

Mass production is planned to start this year.

stated price is €22,000-€34,000. I'll say right away that this is not a small amount