The Vistula Plain (Żuławy)
and the Vistula Spit (Mierzeja Wi¶lana)
The Zuławy is the plain formed by the Vistula delta. This is a low area, guarded by embankments against flooding. Tourists from all over the world flock to see the Teutonic castle at Malbork. This is the largest building of its kind in Europe, put by UNESCO on the World Cultural and National Heritage List. Among the most important tourist attractions in this area, is certainly the Ostródzko-Elbl±ski Canal, the only such waterway in Europe which has remained in use non-stop for 150 years. Boats conquer the difference in land height with the help of two sluice gates and five slipways on which there are special platform wagons. The original source of energy for this used the power of the water falling into the lower level of the canal. The Vistula Spit (Mierzeja Wi¶lana) is a natural phenomenon - a sandbar peninsula created over the past 5000 years from sand carried by ocean currents. The highest dune, Camel’s Hump (Wielbł±dzi Grzbiet), can be seen to the East of Krynica Morska, the most famous tourist spot of this region. The Vistula Lagoon (Zalew Wi¶lany) is an unusual body of water, with both the features of a lake and a sea bay, and is 90km in length. One of the attractions here is the cormorant reserve at K±ty Rybackie. The most characteristic elements of this landscape are the windmills, 18th century wooden cottages, bridges and numerous reminders of the Mennonites.
The region around the Vistula is full of wild nature. There are very many species of birds to see in the reserve: seagulls and birds of paradise nearby on the Gdańsk Island of Sobieszewo. You can cycle around the entire island following the 24km of cycle paths, which take you via the most interesting tourist sites. The State Stutthof Museum at Sztutowo, commemorates the tragic events of WWII, for it was here that there was a German concentration camp. The museum fulfils an international role as a memorial for the victims of the Hitler regime. It still contains many of the original buildings - including the gas chamber, crematorium and the barracks.
After a day of visiting you can relax and sunbathe on one of the many wild and sandy beaches along the Vistula Lagoon, buy fresh fish from one of the local fishermen or go to Stegna for the World Championship Amber Hunting contest.
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