Lower Pond (Kaliningrad)

Lower Pond Schlossteich
Bridge over Lower Pond
Location	Kaliningrad, Kaliningrad Oblast
Coordinates	54°42′56″N 20°31′6″E / 54.71556°N 20.51833°E / 54.71556; 20.51833Coordinates: 54°42′56″N 20°31′6″E / 54.71556°N 20.51833°E / 54.71556; 20.51833
Type	artificial lake
Basin countries	Russia
Max. length	1 km (0.62 mi)
Max. width	100 m (330 ft)

The Lower Pond (Russian: Нижний пруд) is a large artificial pond in northern Kaliningrad, Russia. It was known as the Schlossteich while part of Königsberg, Germany, until 1945.

The pond is about one kilometre long, north to south. Along its length, its width varies between about 50 and 100 metres. The source of the water is from the north. The water eventually drains underground down to the river Pregel to the south. During the winter months, the pond can freeze over.

The pond, first documented by the Teutonic Knights in 1256, was created by damming the Katzbach stream which led to the Pregel. Mills constructed nearby caused the pond to be known as the Mühlenteich (mill pond). The Teutonic Knights' infirmary was constructed along the southwestern edge of the pond, while the Magdalenenkloster (Magdalene monastery) was built on the southern shore. A second pond, the Oberteich or Upper Pond, was created north of the first pond in 1270.

By the time of the Duchy of Prussia's creation in 1525, the pond was known as the Schlossteich, named after nearby Königsberg Castle (Schloss). The Schlossteich was surrounded by Burgfreiheit along the southern shore, Tragheim to the west, the Oberteich to the north, and Rossgarten to the east. Regent George Frederick, Margrave of Brandenburg-Ansbach, had a pair of swans relocated to the pond in 1604, but they were considered a nuisance by the burghers. A crossing between Tragheim and the Burgkirche was laid out in 1717, while the Schlossteichbrücke bridge was completed in 1753. During a visit to Königsberg by King William I in 1869, part of the bridge collapsed due to the multitude of people on it, with 32 drowning.