LOCATION
Elbląg Canal, located in northern Poland, in the Warmian-Masurian Voivodeship, runs southward from Lake Drużno. It is connected to the Vistula Lagoon by the river Elbląg and is also connected to the river Drwęca and Jeziorak Lake.
UNIQUE CRUISE
It is one of only two places in the world where ships can sail over grass and up a hill using a system of inclined ramps, but this is the only place in the world where the original 19th century machinery is still in use. Cruises from Ostróda to Elbląg take up to 11 hours and this section is about 82 kilometres long. Thanks to the five inclined ramps (at Buczyniec, Całuny, Jelenie, Kąty and Oleśnica) and two locks (at Miłomyn and Zielona) a ship can travel 104 metres away from the elevation of the lake waters.
On this journey you can admire stunning views of the surrounding nature and the opportunity is taken by about 40,000 tourists each year. Elbląg Canal is a fascinating relic; in 2011 it was announced an official historic monument. The Canal is 151 years old but due to the amazing design of Prussian engineer Georg Jacob Stenke it still works perfectly.
ATTRACTIONS
The canal is a supreme example of man’s ability to combine nature with machinery. The 9.6 kilometres between Piniewski and Druzno Lake is the most distinctive section of the canal – on this stretch boats are lowered 99.5m on 2.3km-long rails. The biggest achievement is the fact that no electricity or fuel is used in this process, the power of water and waterwheel being enough. Inclined ramps are not the only attraction of Elbląg Canal – you can also find four lock-chambers, weirs, reduced channel and security gates. Between Miłomłyn and Jeziorak Lakes and 1.5m under the surface is mounted a 485m-long dyke in which the canal was dug.
It would be a shame to forget your binoculars and camera because Elbląg Canal has many great views. If you start your trip in Elblag early enough in the morning, you can see up to 200 different species of birds. It is especially worth going to Lake Druzno to observe its wealth of waterfowl – herons, grebes, coots and swans. While on the cruise, you can spot a memorial obelisk, which was erected to honour the architect George Jacob Steenke. In addition to regular cruises you can also rent a boat to organize banquets, conferences, team-building trips, school or company tours and even have a party on board.
