Laak (Königsberg)

Laak was a quarter of western Königsberg, Germany. Its territory is now part of Kaliningrad, Russia.

Laak's name was of Old Prussian origin and referred to an open field, marshland, or a brooklet called Lack/Lacke which ran south of the later road named Laak.

Laak consisted of flat meadow land before becoming a medieval Freiheit suburb of Altstadt. Because of the wetness of the land, development of Laak was first concentrated to the north along the hill Rollberg before continuing to the west and south. Laak was bounded by Neurossgarten to the north, Altstadt to the east, Lastadie to the south, and the early 17th century Baroque city walls to the west. Beyond the walls were Kosse and Mittelhufen. Laak was closely affiliated with the Lastadie warehouse quarter and Lizent toll district.

By the Rathäusliche Reglement of 13 June 1724, King Frederick William I of Prussia merged Altstadt and Laak into the united city of Königsberg. Laak was heavily damaged by the 1944 Bombing of Königsberg and 1945 Battle of Königsberg.

Laak was divided into Unterlaak (Lower Laak) to the east and Oberlaak (Upper Laak) to the west. Unterlaak ran from the western end of Altstadt's Altstädtische Langgasse until Lizentgrabenstraße, while Oberlaak continued from Lizentgrabenstraße to Deutschordensring at the western city walls.

Unterlaak contained a medieval ropewalk along Reifschlägergasse. The city's fire department moved to Unterlaak in 1866. Also found in eastern Laak was the mercantile Markthalle. The Laakspeicherstraßen were three roads connecting Unterlaak to Lastadie.

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