The Elbląg Canal
There are only two canals in the world where ships are lifted up and down a system of ramps – the Morris Canal in the USA and the Elbląg Canal. The former is no longer in operation, whereas the latter, still in its prime, is a real gem of engineering and a masterpiece of technical solutions. It is believed that the Prussian monarch, Frederick Wilhelm IV, originally against the idea of building a system of ramps on the Elbląg Canal, was finally prompted to approve of the project by a Dutch engineer Georg Jakob Stenke, who claimed that no other country could take pride in a similar attraction. The total length of the shipway is 127,5 km; most of this route runs through the picturesque and unique scenery. Additional attractions are the interesting systems of ramps, as well as stone and concrete bridges on the way.
Useful adress:
Ostróda-Elbląg navigation, tel.+ 48 89 646 38 71 , www.zegluga.com.pl
The Masurian Canal
The Masurian Canal with its original technical solutions perfectly fits in the surrounding landscape. The canal was created as a shipway from the land of the Great Masurian lakes, along the Pregoła river, up to the Baltic Sea. The building works started in 1911 and continued, with a couple of intervals, until 1942. Under the reign of the Third Reich the canal was a secret structure. The total length of the canal from the lake Mamry to the Łyna river in the Kaliningrad District is 51 m, with the difference in the water level between the two points 111,2 m. The part of the canal within the borders of Poland is 22 km long and it is endowed with five locks of different technical advancement. Within this distance of 22 km there are some places, out of operation, completely covered with water and lushly overgrown, where we can admire beavers’ lodges.
Useful address
Tourist information tel. +48 87 427 40 09
The revolving bridge on the Łuczański Canal in Giżycko
This is a unique monument of bridge technology in Europe. It was erected in 1889 in order to link two banks of the Łuczański Canal, which is full of ships and yachts in the peak summer season. It serves as a passage either for ships or for cars and pedestrians. The bridge span of 100 tone weight rotates by 90 degrees. The whole mechanism is operated by only one person.
Useful address
Tourist information tel. +48 87 428 52 65 , www.gizycko.turystyka.pl
Stańczyki - Masurian aqueducts
On the railway route Gołdap – Żytkiejmy, which is no longer in operation, we can admire famous twin concrete bridges, resembling ancient Roman aqueducts. They stand magnificently over the valley of the Błędzianka river and create an absolutely fabulous view. They belong to the highest railway bridges in Poland – they are over 200 m high; the arcade span is 30 m and height 36 m. Moving along the same route you will also encounter other interesting bridge structures, for instance a railway bridge over the Bludzia river near Kiepojcie and two twin bridges over the Jarka river between Botkuny and Rakówek.
The Ełk Narrow-Gauge Railway
In the first half of the 20th century narrow-gauge railways were an extremely popular means of transport. The building works of the 48-km long railway were completed in 1917. At present the Ełk narrow-gauge railway is listed as a monument of technology and belongs to the greatest tourist attractions in Ełk. It is an amazing experience for railway lovers to travel in a retro-style train, drawn by a steam engine with the pre-war Polish emblem of a crowned eagle.
Useful information
The Ełk Narrow-Gauge Railway, tel. + 48 87 610 38 38 ,www.elk.pl
Tourist information, tel. + 48 87 621 70 10
Korsze – water towers
In the 19th century two main Prussian railway lines crossed in the area of the estate Korsze. At the crossroads of the lines a settlement was founded and the railway station Korsze became one of the most significant railway junctions in East Prussia. The former railway empire in Korsze is now a great attraction for railway lovers. The most unique objects are three water towers, each of them representing a different architectonic style and construction.
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