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Ostróda-Elbląg Channel boat cruise is a unique experience, which will take you back to mid 19th century.
The Ostróda-Elbląg Channel is the star of the Western Mazury Lake District. It is a unique and one of the most interesting technically water channels in the world.
It is composed of three main parts of the joint length 129,8km and of many side arms. If you decide to go for the full-length cruise (recommended) it will take you 11 hours.
It is an ideal weekend escape for a group of friends or a family. You may start your journey in Ostróda, finish in Elbląg and return to your car or hotel by bus or other way round. You may also decide to go for just half the journey, however then you will miss some of breath taking landscapes (different on the two ends). You don't need to worry about catering - you can order lunch which will be delivered to the boat on the half way stop.
On the way you will be passing special landscape protection areas and bird reserves.
It is a must see place not to be found anywhere else in the world.
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The channel - designed by a Dutch engineer Georg Jakob Steenke - was built between 1848 and 1872 and has been operating since 1860.
The most serious technical problem was the 99-meter difference in water levels between Drużno Lake near Elbląg, and Piniewo Lake at the distance of 11km. Steenke’s solution to the problem is functioning until now in unchanged original form.
The light and simply beautiful masterpiece of 19th century engineering is taking all visitors by surprise.
The ingenious Steenke’s concept was to build in the channel two water-locks (Miłomłyn and Zielona) and five sloping shipways (Buczyniec, Kąty, Oleśnica, Jelenie and Całuny). The boats are passing the shipways on special carriages. So what so special and unique? , you could ask. Well, nothing, except that the boat cruise is not on water but on grass
Have you visited the place already?
Not yet? You must make it up! Still have some time to go.
The boat cruises start every year on 1 May and the last one happens on 30 September.
More details:
Ostróda-Elbląg Fleet
Tourist Information
tel. + 48 89 646 38 71
www.zegluga.com.pl all photos by Ewa Świętochowska
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