Samland’s sandy beaches are still popular for holiday goers, even if the weather in this part of the world remains unpredictable.

   The traditional German health resort of Cranz, now Zelenogradsk, has kept much of its old charm.

   A quiet backyard

   Many of the pre-war hotels and convalescence homes are still in use.

   The evening sun setting over a corner of Cranz which doesn’tseem to have changed much over the last century.

   The “Kurhaus” or Spa-Hotel in Rauschen/Svetlogorsk on a rainy day

   One of the works by German sculptor Hermann Brachert which can be found in the region.

   The former home of famous East-Prussian sculptor Hermann Brachert in Georgenswalde/Otradnoye; now a museum.

   Statue of Lenin in front of the neogothic church in Klein Hubnicken/Klenovoye, now the local House of Culture.

   The western Samland coast, and Palmnicken/Yantarny in particular, are the source of more than 90% of the world’s amber.

   Not much of this wealth seems to have rubbed off on the village itself.

   Old mansion in Palmnicken, now the local library.

   Another Amber pit, this one directly on the beach.

   War Cemetery in Germau/Russkoye, a few kilometres inland from Palmnicken

   Beside the church ruins in Germau some WW1 Graves can be found.

   Next to that there is a much larger field (not seen in this picture) of anonymous WW2 graves.

   The war is never far away in Northeast Prussia: part of German coastal defences near Sorgenau (now part of Palmnicken/Yantarny)

   Another German War Cemetery, this one in Fischhausen/Primorsk.