Elblag Canal
Wodna 1b
Elbląg

Tags: Elblag Kanal, Ostroda, Seven Wonders of Poland, visit, sightseeing, Elbląg

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Elblag Canal

runs through two geographical lands – the Vistula Fenland and the Iława Lakeland. The river Elbląg is considered to be its beginning. Then, it goes through the lake Drużno – a nature (ornithological) reserve. The lake is a unique reservoir in Europe. Ostróda - Elbląg Canal, 82 km long, is the unique water system in the world because of the hydrotechnical devices being in operation since 1860. The difference of canal water levels on the length of 9,6 km changes of over 100 m and is overcome on five skipways, which are driven by water power.

The swamps and rushes difficult to access are an excellent shelter and breeding place for birds, as well as a place of their rests during seasonal migrations. 110 species of nesting birds, and numerous feeding and flying over birds were observed in the reserve. In total, 210 species of birds were recorded.

The route from Elbląg to Ostróda goes through the lake.

Every year thousands of tourists - passengers of excursion ships and individual lovers of aquatic admire the unique values of nature and landscape. Despite of so big mass of nature amateurs the human interference in the natural environment doesn't put in danger the coexistence of hundreds of species of flora and fauna living in the reserves, landscape parks and in mentioned above protected areas. The exploration of the existing here nature riches and the experience of esthetic impressions are possible particularly during the quiet cruises on the canal and the biking rides on the numerous wandering routes existing in the communes: Elbląg, Rychliki, Pasłęk, Miłomłyn and Ostróda.

Elbląg Canal with its unique global water system is on the list of the Seven Wonders of Poland, right next to the Wieliczka Salt Mine, Malbork Castle and Wawel Cathedral.

Special attractions:

Another attraction of this region are Elbląg Canal cruises. The cruise from Elbląg to Ostróda takes 11 hours (8:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.). The system of slipways is situated near Elbląg. From Ostróda you have to go 11 hours, if you would like to see slipways. From Elbląg – 5 hours, and you can see slipways.

Route and cruise duration:

Elbląg – Buczyniec

Trips last from 8:00 –12:50

Elbląg – Małdyty

Trips last from 8:00 – 14:30

Elbląg – Ostróda

Trips last from 8:00 – 19:00

Ostroda - Elblag Canal

called also Elblag Canal, is the unique water system connecting several Western Masurian Lakes with Vistula Bay. The orginality of the system depends on the harnessing the natural in this region water levels difference of 100 m into the system of locks and skipways. The last ones are the rail lift devices mechanically driven by water power.

This world standard monument of the hydrotechnical art designed by Dutch engineer Jakob Georg Steenke in the beginning of XIX century on the court of Frederick I and II for the economical purpose of water connecting of East Prussia (German: "Oberland") with Baltic Sea - waited almost 20 years for the beginning of the construction , (1825-1844).

The period of construction was much shorter - only 8 years. Since 1852 the steamer belonging to the Shipowner from Iława "Reederei Cardinal" started to cruise between Iława and Elbląg, and then the screw propeler steamers "Martha" and "Ernst" of the company "Reederei Matzmor".

The first ship from Elbląg achieved Ostróda by the canal in 1856. The last stretch of the canals system from Ostróda to Stare Jabłonki was put to use not before 1873.

 The openning of the concurent railway line almost in the same time - in 1872 lowered the economical significance of the canal, however till 1912 it was used for the transportation of agriculture goods, timber and industrial products.

Besides floating the wood, the transporting was done by the transport ships of Ostróda Water Constructions Office (German: "Waserbauamt"). Over the years the channel started to be used in organizing trips for tourists. After 1927 the ship "Konrad" - constructed in Elbląg shipyard - began the regular tourist cruises Ostróda - Elbląg.

The operations during the war 1945 caused the serious damages of canal devices.

By initiative of Zygmunt Mianowicz and with the help of A. Tetzlaff the canal was again ready to use in 1948, and Gdańsk Shipping Company resumed the regular tourist cruises.

In the middle seventies the fleet was taken over by Żegluga Mazurska (Masurian Navigation), and since 1992 the shipowner of "Ostróda - Elbląg Navigation" is self government Department of Public Transportation in Ostróda.