Přemysl Ottokar II

Přemysl Ottokar II (1233 - 1278) was King of Bohemia and Duke of Austria. In 1254, the king led the crusade of the Teutonic Order against the pagan tribes in Samland (Prussia) and conquered them. In 1255, Ottokar II ordered to lay up Koenigsberg Castle (German Koenigsberg meant “King’s Barrow”). Ottokar II founded many other cities on his lands. He was a prominent commander and the most powerful monarch in Europe. The king was killed in the battle. Ottokar II is buried in Saint Vitus Cathedral (Prague, Czech Republic).

The city’s name was changed in the 20th century, but the visible memory about its founder has remained. The emblem of Kaliningrad displays a silver ship with an inescutcheon in the middle (with a dark-red crown and a silver cross). This is a historic emblem of Altstadt.  The statue of Ottokar II  on the façade of the Koenig Gate is the only image of the king in Kaliningrad.