Svetlogorsk (Russian: Светлого́рск​^ⓘ; German: Rauschen [ˈʁaʊ̯ʃən] ^ⓘ; Lithuanian: Raušiai) is a coastal resort town and the administrative center of Svetlogorsky District of Kaliningrad Oblast, Russia, located on the coast of the Baltic Sea on the Sambia Peninsula, 39 kilometers (24 mi) northwest of Kaliningrad. Population figures: 16,099 (2021 Census);^[8] 10,772 (2010 Census);^[3] 10,950 (2002 Census);^[9] 11,881 (1989 Census).^[10]

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Svetlogorsk Светлогорск
Town[1]
View of Svetlogorsk
Flag Coat of arms
Location of Svetlogorsk
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Coordinates: 54°57′N 20°09′E
Country	Russia
Federal subject	Kaliningrad Oblast[1]
Administrative district	Svetlogorsky District[1]
Town of district significance	Svetlogorsk[1]
Founded	1258[2]
Elevation	40 m (130 ft)
Population  (2010 Census)[3]
• Total	10,772
• Estimate  (2018)[4]	13,663 (+26.8%)
Administrative status
• Capital of	Svetlogorsky District,[1] town of district significance of Svetlogorsk[1]
Municipal status
• Municipal district	Svetlogorsky Municipal District[5]
• Urban settlement	Svetlogorskoye Urban Settlement[5]
• Capital of	Svetlogorsky Municipal District,[5] Svetlogorskoye Urban Settlement[5]
Time zone	UTC+2 (MSK–1 [6])
Postal code(s)[7]	238560, 238561, 238563
OKTMO ID	27734000001
Website	www.svetlogorsk39.ru

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Svetlogorsk is situated in the historical region of Sambia in Prussia. It was established in 1258^[2] as a Sambian fisherman settlement named Ruse-moter (lit. region of cellars). The Teutonic Order that conquered the land gradually corrupted the name into Rause-moter, Raushe-moter, and finally Rauschen. The Teutonic Order set a new direction for the life of the village: they blocked off the Katzenbach stream, which flows into the lake, and installed a mill on the stream. From that time on, the lake became known as Mühlen-teich (Mill Pond), and the mill business became the main one for the inhabitants of the village. During the Order's times it was the largest mill in Sambia. After the subsequent Thirteen Years' War (1454–1466), the settlement was a part of the Polish fief held by the Teutonic Knights until 1525, and by secular Ducal Prussia until 1657. From 1701 it was part of the Kingdom of Prussia.

In the early 19th century, the place became fashionable among German vacationers. Since access to the sea was hampered by a sand dune, the picturesque corners of the lake were the place of residence and recreation. A tavern was opened near the mill, new villas and boarding houses were built. On June 24, 1820, it was officially recognized as a spa town. During his visit to Rauschen in 1840, King Frederick William IV of Prussia ordered the sea embankment to be beautified. From 1871, it was part of the German Empire. The popularity of the town as a resort has grown significantly since 1900, when a railway was built from Königsberg to Rauschen / Orth station, extended in 1906 to Rauschen / Dune station, which made the resort more accessible for many residents of Königsberg. The city’s development as a resort was enhanced when the equestrian society built a hippodrome. The town began to divide into the lower section - near the lake, and the upper section (40–50 m higher) by the sea. The upper village was approximately 60 m above sea level. In 1912 a funicular was built: a 90-meter inclined railroad to transport patrons to the sea and back.

In 1908, the resort was further enhanced by improving the beach areas with a wooden promenade built on the seashore on stilts, with several serpentine descents accessing the walkway. Otto Nicolai, Wilhelm von Humboldt, Käthe Kollwitz and Thomas Mann were among the celebrities who stayed there.

In the early years of the 20th century, private individuals launched an intensive construction in Rauschen of country houses, villas and boarding houses , especially in the upper part of the resort. The architecture of these buildings included half-timbered, neo-Gothic, and fashionable historicism, and added to the beauty of the resort. In 1928, the villa of the architect Goering (namesake of the Reichsmarschall) was built in the center of Rauschen, becoming a kind of symbol of the city.

In 1900-1908, a tower of a hydrotherapy was erected in the style of national romanticism.

In addition to water treatment, sea, carbon dioxide and other baths, the sanatorium institutions of the city practiced mud, electric light treatment and therapeutic massage. Under the helmet-shaped roof of the tower there was an observation deck for viewing the countryside. Some buildings of the city were built by a charitable society, which consisted of local and visiting entrepreneurs and a wealthy part of the intelligentsia. They built, for example, a home for elderly teachers and a church erected in 1903-1907. The church was consecrated on July 7, 1907, it was built according to the project of architects Vihman and Kukuk in the neo-Romanesque style with elements of Art Nouveau. The attraction of the church was a carved wooden altar. Since 1841, this charitable society, together with the resort residents, has been printing the newspaper "Hospitable Raushenets".

During the First World War, Rauschen became a "branch" of the German military department — civilians were almost displaced by German officers who were being treated and were recuperating.d

On 14 April 1945, Rauschen was conquered by the Soviet Union in the course of World War II. It became a part of Kaliningrad Oblast and on 17 June 1947 was given its present name of Svetlogorsk.

On 16 May 1972, a tragedy occurred when an Antonov An-24 crashed into the Svetlogorsk kindergarten, killing 33 people.

In 1994, an urban district was formed, which also included the village of Yantarny and the Primorye settlement Council. The boundaries of the district were clarified in 1999. In 2007, the Svetlogorsk city district was granted the status of a municipal district, and Svetlogorsk was defined as its administrative center, three urban settlements were formed as part of the district, including the urban settlement of the city of Svetlogorsk. In 2018, the urban settlements were merged. In 2019, Svetlogorsk was awarded the status of a city of regional significance.

Today, it is a moderately popular summer resort town thanks to its beachfront and many spas, clubs, and attractions. It has arguably the best preserved Prussian heritage and architecture amongst former Soviet towns that were once Prussian and was spared the destruction suffered by Königsberg and other settlements in World War II.

Within the framework of administrative divisions, Svetlogorsk serves as the administrative center of Svetlogorsky District.^[1] As an administrative division, it is incorporated within Svetlogorsky District as the town of district significance of Svetlogorsk.^[1] As a municipal division, the town of district significance of Svetlogorsk is incorporated within Svetlogorsky Municipal District as Svetlogorskoye Urban Settlement.^[5]

The Svetlogorsk-1 and Svetlogorsk-2 stations of the Kaliningrad Railway are located in Svetlogorsk. These stations belong to two railway branches of the Kaliningrad — Pereslavskoye — Pionersky — Svetlogorsk-1 — Svetlogorsk-2 direct line and the Kaliningrad — Zelenogradsk — Pionersky — Svetlogorsk-1 — Svetlogorsk-2 rokadnaya line. At the peak of the popularity of Svetlogorsk in the 1980s, in the summer, every day, full-composite trains went from Kaliningrad to Svetlogorsk and back every 20 minutes, they traveled an average of 45 minutes, a ticket cost 35 kopecks, a travel ticket for a month — 2 rubles. 20 kopecks. Then many Kaliningrad residents, having bought a monthly travel ticket, went to the sea in the summer not only on weekends, but also after work: in the evening to sunbathe for a couple of hours-to swim. In 2013, in the summer, only nine 4-6-car trains a day plied from Kaliningrad (Yuzhny Railway Station) to Svetlogorsk and back, they travel an average of 1 hour. The Svetlogorsk — Zelenogradsk — Kaliningrad train runs once a day. This provides additional opportunities for lovers of high-quality and diverse beach holidays. There is a bus stop near the Svetlogorsk-2 train station, from which buses run to Kaliningrad, Otradnoye.

In August 2008, the construction of the Primorsky Ring highway began, which significantly shortened the way from Svetlogorsk to Khrabrovo Airport, about 30 km. In 2012, the Primorsky Ring was completed to Svetlogorsk and has a branch to Pionerskoye. Further construction of the Primorsky Ring in the direction of the Amber is frozen. The launch of the Primorsky Ring made it possible to unload the old German highway Svetlogorsk — Pereslavskoye — Kaliningrad, which had the fame of a very dangerous road. Despite the slightly longer length of the highway, 45 kilometers on the new road versus 35 kilometers on the old road, the permitted speed of 110 km/ h will significantly reduce the travel time to Kaliningrad. Two lanes in each direction and separated oncoming traffic make driving along the Primorsky Ring much safer and more enjoyable for drivers and passengers.

The city is connected by bus with Kaliningrad, Baltic, Zelenograd and Khrabrovo International Airport.

Svetlogorsk is a member of Cittaslow.