Discover the longest lake in Poland and other attractions of the Iława Lake District.
The Iława Lake District offers tourists many attractions and hides many secrets. Here you will find nearly 100 lakes, including the longest lake in Poland – Jeziorak (27.45 km). Despite the fact that Jeziorak is the sixth largest lake in the country, it has the longest coastline. Several picturesque islands, numerous peninsulas and bays attract enthusiasts of sailing and other forms of water recreation. Fans of Mister Automobile – the hero of Zbigniew Nienacki’s books – also eagerly come here. It is the wild nature of Jeziorak and its surroundings, medieval castles and Prussian manors that are the background for the detective’s iconic adventures from the series of books for teenagers.
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Islands full of secrets
The largest island in Jeziorak is Wielka Żuława (82.4 hectares), according to some sources the largest inland island in Europe. Administratively, it is located within the borders of Iława, and in the summer there is a ferry between it and the city. It is used by tourists relaxing in holiday resorts operating on the island. On its south-eastern bank there are relics of the medieval fortified settlement of Scholtenberg. But there are more secrets to discover: bridges that connected the island with the mainland in the times of the Teutonic Knights, an old cemetery and legends that give you goose bumps. More information about them can be found in the Internet Museum of Iława.
It is also worth visiting Bukowiec Island, the second largest island in Jeziorak. You can get there from the village of Wieprz… by walking. The island is connected to the mainland by a causeway that was built before World War II to enable cattle grazing on Bukowiec. The central part of the island is occupied by a small, forgotten cemetery with graves from the 1940s. The island is private property, but those interested in exploring its parts can do so after paying a fee.
From Jeziorak straight into the Baltic Sea
The Jeziorak complex and the forested areas on its western side are included within the boundaries of the Iława Lake District Landscape Park, which hides a large variety of fauna and flora. Here we can meet rare and protected species of plants and animals, including: white-tailed eagle, osprey, ferruginous ferrule, wolf and lynx. On the banks of Jeziorak, especially on the eastern side, there are tent and camping sites, marinas and numerous accommodation and catering facilities.
From Iława, we can sail directly to the Baltic Sea, because Jeziorak is connected to the Vistula Lagoon via the Elbląg Canal. This unique monument of 19th-century hydrotechnics, unique in the world, is the longest navigable canal in the country. There are five slipways on its section between Elbląg and Buczyniec: Całuny, Jelenie, Oleśnica, Kąty and Buczyniec. They enable vessels to overcome a level difference of almost 100 m.
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Iława – a (s)port city
Iława is well connected by rail with many Polish cities. When getting off the train, it is worth taking a look at the railway station from the 19th century, which was rebuilt with great care and attention to architectural details. The oldest building in Iława is the Church of the Transfiguration of the Lord located on a hill, where we can see a 17th-century wooden altar. Nearby there is a neo-baroque town hall building from the 19th century, which attracts attention with its pastel colors of the facade. There is a tourist information point in the right wing of the building.
It is worth visiting the Iława Port, one of the most modern ports in Warmia and Masuria. You can charter a motor or sailing yacht here, as well as rent kayaks or SUP boards. Within the marina there are: a boatswain’s office, a restaurant with a viewing terrace, toilets, showers, a laundry room and a boatbuilding workshop. The port has a crane for launching vessels, and all piers have modern power and water connections using a prepaid card.
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Szymbark – 700 years of an extraordinary history
Szymbark near Iława is known for the ruins of the castle of the Pomesan chapter, which was the second largest castle in the Teutonic state after the stronghold in Malbork. From the 17th century, the fortress was in the hands of the Prussian Finck von Finckenstein family. The structure was destroyed as a result of the actions of the Red Army in 1946, but its ruins remain an interesting tourist attraction. They also had their 5 minutes on the silver screen, thanks to the fact that scenes from the movie “The King of Alders”, in which John Malkovich played the main role, were shot here. It is worth taking a virtual walk around the castle.
More information: https://przewodnik.zamekszymbark.pl
Siemiany and Jerzwałd, or nature and literature
Siemiany is the right azimuth for those who are looking for the truest sailing atmosphere: shanties until dawn, good food and contact with nature. It was in this town that Edward Stachura loved to relax. Jeziorak was undoubtedly an inspiration for him to create poetic texts. There is a mysterious wooden sculpture of the White Peasant in the Siemian area. There is a legend associated with it that is worth knowing.
More information: https://pojezierzeilawskie.pl/legendy
Zbigniew Nienacki, author of the “Mister Automobile” book series, lived and wrote in Jerzwałd. On the shores of Płaskie Lake, he wrote several novels. Undoubtedly, the area was conducive to creative work. Currently, on the wall of the house where the writer lived for almost 30 years, there is a plaque reminding him of this fact.
In Jerzwałd there is the headquarters of the Complex of Landscape Parks of the Iława Lake District and the Dylewo Hills with an educational garden worth visiting and the Periodic Rehabilitation Center for Protected Animals.
Palaces in Karnity and Kamieniec
The palace in Karnity was built in 1856 on the shores of Lake Karnice. It is still preserved in excellent condition today. It was an important background for the main plot of the novel “Pan Samochodzik i Złota Rękawica” [Mister Automobile and the Golden Glove]. Currently, there is a hotel called Zamek Karnity with a park of 17 ha.
The French Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte was associated with the palace in Kamieniec. The palace was so impressive that it was called the East Prussian Versailles. It was in its beautiful interior that Napoleon had an affair with Countess Maria Walewska. The palace ruins hide more interesting facts. In the palace park there is a boulder with the inscription “Pilot 1923-1934”. Pilot is the name of a dog belonging to Adolf Hitler. In the 1930s, the German dictator gave his pet to the owners of the palace.
Gothic buildings that have taken on a new brilliance
Warmia-Masuria is a region of Poland with an extraordinary cultural heritage. Many interesting monuments are a reminder of its turbulent history and the complicated fortunes of its inhabitants. When travelling across these parts, one may encounter majestic castles, churches, city fortifications and tenement houses – all witnesses of past centuries.
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Grunwald - here you will feel the history
The anniversary of the battle is approaching, of which the staging attracts the attention of history lovers and attracts tens of thousands of viewers. The Battle of Grunwald has been commemorated in literature, painting and cinema. Unfortunately, this year, due to restrictions related to the epidemic situation, the event will not be carried out. But this does not mean that you have to deny yourself a trip to the Grunwald Fields!
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Elbląg for the weekend
Elbląg is a perfect place to spend an interesting weekend. The oldest city in the Warmian-Masurian Voivodeship offers both historical monuments and modern attractions.
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