Baltika Stadium
Location | Kaliningrad, Russia |
---|---|
Coordinates | 54°43′01.69″N 20°29′25.58″E / 54.7171361°N 20.4904389°ECoordinates: 54°43′01.69″N 20°29′25.58″E / 54.7171361°N 20.4904389°E |
Capacity | 14,660 (football) |
Surface | Grass |
Tenants | |
FC Baltika Kaliningrad (1954-) 2018 FIFA World Cup |
Baltika Stadium (Russian: Балтика стадион, Baltika Stadion) is a multi-purpose stadium in Kaliningrad, Russia, that is home to FC Baltika Kaliningrad. The capacity of the stadium is 14,660, making it an average-sized stadium in the Russian First Division.
History
The stadium was originally within Königsberg, Germany. In 1892 philanthropist Walter Simon granted 6.83 hectares in Mittelhufen for the construction of an athletic field. Named Walter-Simon-Platz in his honor, the stadium hosted Königsberger STV in the early 20th century. The Yorck memorial was constructed near it in 1913. Because Simon was Jewish, the Nazi Party renamed the stadium Erich-Koch-Platz after Gauleiter Erich Koch in 1933. The city became Russian after World War II. Columns from the portico of New Altstadt Church are included in Baltika Stadium's entrance.
References
- Albinus, Robert (1985). Lexikon der Stadt Königsberg Pr. und Umgebung (in German). Leer: Verlag Gerhard Rautenberg. p. 371. ISBN 3-7921-0320-6.