The Zuławy is the plain formed by the Vistula delta. Tourists from all over the world flock to see the Teutonic castle at Malbork. This is the largest Gothic building in Europe, put by UNESCO on the World Cultural and National Heritage List. The castle was built by the Teutonic Knights in the 13th century and for 150 years served the function of being the capital of the Teutonic State. Today, the fort is comprised of three castles and takes up at least 20 hectares of land. From year to year there are more and more open-air festivals organised in the castle grounds, among them a summer Sound and Light spectacle, showing battling knights, and night visits round the castle.
Among many of the wonderful attractions in the area, of special interest is the system of sailing down the Elbląg Canal. The river Elblag is part of a huge network of waterways connecting Zuławy and Mazury to the Vistula Lagoon. Here is the site of the Ostrodzko-Elblaski 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.
Moving to the north, you can reach Frombork, in which the most important place is Cathedral Hill, which is one of the most impressive monuments in its class worldwide. Within the building complex is the cathedral from the Middle Ages, the Bishops Palace, Canons’ Houses, defensive walls, towers and bastions. The town is also strongly associated with Nicolaus Copernicus, as the place of his work, life and death. For younger tourists there’s a lot to be seen at the Planetarium with all its exhibits.
An unforgettable experience can be had by taking a boat or hydrofoil from Frombork to Krynica Morska, the most famous holiday centre of this region. Krynica Morska has earned the status of a health resort, thanks to the presence of mineral water containing chloride, sulphate, magnesium, sodium, bromide and iodide, which is ideal for healing and recreational purposes. The most notable dune, Camel’s Hump (Wielbladzi Grzbiet), can be seen to the east of Krynica Morska. From the top you can see a beautiful view of the Baltic on one side and the Vistula Lagoon on the other.
One of the attractions of this area could be the cormorant reserve at Katy Rybackie or the possibility of going to Stegna for the World Championship Amber Hunting contest.
The Vistula Spit in the summer becomes a huge holiday centre, with numerous places for bathers offering lots of sports and recreational activities. Although it attracts so many tourists in season, it remains a place for people who value peace and quiet, long walks off the beaten track or who like to watch the fishermen sail out to sea. Whilst travelling around the Vistula Spit, you can spare some serious thought at the State Stutthof Museum at Sztutowo. This contains a German concentration camp created during WWII. 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.
To finish a visit of this region, it’s worth taking in the beautiful wild scenery. There are very many species of birds to see in the reserve: seagulls and birds of paradise 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.