VISTULA SPIT AND VISTULA MARSHLAND

The swoosh of surf, walks on sandy beaches, extraordinary world of fauna and flora, fabulous landscapes, sunbaths, the air saturated with iodine, lands "derived" from the sea as well as a possibility to admire the works of art, architecture or engineering are good for physical regeneration and help relieve everyday stress. It is worth taking advantage of the abundant nature and human artefacts in the Vistula Marshland and Vistula Spit and rest either in some oases of peace and quiet, on numerous tourist routes, in the bustling resorts, or possibly learning the fascinating history of the Marshland derived from the sea.
VISTULA SPIT
The Spit is a remarkable wonder of nature. For thousands of years wind and waves have formed a strip of land separating the Baltic Sea from the Vistula Lagoon and Vistula Marshland. This dune embankment on the Polish territory stretches from the Russian Federation boundary to the mouth of the Vistula River. The Spit has a zone structure. In the seaward zone, there are lovely sandy beaches, while farther inland there are front white dunes and grey dunes on the landward side. The central part of the main embankment is covered with beautiful forests. Then follows the Lagoon coastline or a transitory zone between the Spit and Vistula Marshland. The whole area is extremely valuable as far as its nature is concerned. In order to protect the rich resources of flora and fauna, the Vistula Spit Landscape Park (Park Krajobrazowy Mierzei Wiślanej) and several nature reserves have been created, such as: Vistula Spit Beeches (Buki Mierzei Wiślanej), Sea-Holly Dunes (Mikołajkowe Wydmy), as well as ornithological ones: Kąty Rybackie and Gull Sandbank (Mewia Łacha). The main European migration route of hundreds of thousands of birds leads this way (Scandinavian-Iberian Route). There are 240 species of birds, including 107 nesting ones. You can also see here porpoises and seals. Amber, thrown out by waves on the beaches, is also quite an attraction. The Vistula Spit is regarded as a big recreation and relaxation area. Krynica Morska is the largest health resort here. Stegna and Sztutowo also make big recreation centres, while Mikoszewo, Jantar, Junoszyno, Kąty Rybackie, Skowronki, Przebrno and Piaski are valued as more intimate places to relax. Altogether, there are over 26 thousand accommodation places for tourists, including 12 thousand in numerous sanatoriums, hotels, rest houses and big guest houses. 50 kilometers of beautiful beaches, unique microclimate, various facilities, precious cultural resources and museums await visitors. Plenty of cultural, folk and sports events are organized here. Many ports, marinas, nautical bases and passenger ships are available for tourists.

VISTULA MARSHLAND

The Vistula Marshland covers an extensive land southwards to the seashore. The town and Commune of Nowy Dwór Gdański as well as Sztutowo, Stegna and Elbląg communes operate there. The Marshland means vast, woodless plains cut with a dense grid of canals, ditches, rivers, embankments and dikes. There are also omnipresent willows along rivers or canals and buildings on terps (hills of rescue). Depression makes a considerable part of this area. In Raczki Elbląskie near Elbląg there is the lowest point in Poland (1,8 m below sea level). Within the Marshland tourists can use lots of rivers (the Elbląg, Szkarpawa, Tuga, Tina, Fiszewka, Balewka, Nogat etc.) and canals (including the longest ones: the Elbląg and Jagielloński Canals). Natural reserves constitute a great value of the region, e.g.: Drużno Lake (total area of 3,068 hectares, 210 water and marsh bird species with 110 nesting ones), Elbląg Bay (Zatoka Elbląska - 222 bird species with 86 nesting ones), Nogat Estuary (Ujście Rzeki Nogat - 185 bird species), Gull Sandbank (Mewia Łacha - 220 bird species). The Vistula Marshland means also a variety of material culture objects and engineering constructions along with the numerous traces of Mennonites, who had "derived" this beautiful land from the sea and reclaimed for agriculture. Until recently, this land was famous for its numerous windmills powering pumps and mills. Their remnants still arouse great interest. The arcaded houses, churches, Mennonites' cemeteries, characteristic buildings in some villages (linear village, ribbon development, chain village), drawbridges, rotating bridges, big water pumping stations, sluices, flood gates are just a few examples of the old-centuries heritage.

TOWN OF KRYNICA MORSKA

It is the biggest and the most popular seaside resort of the Vistula Spit. It also incorporates the settlements of Piaski and Przebrno. The town has only 1,400 inhabitants but in the summer the number of people staying here often amounts to 20-30 thousand. The total length of beaches exceeds 20 km. Krynica Morska has been known as a health resort since the Mid-19th century. Some fishermen's huts, old-style guest houses, and a lighthouse (now also an observation tower) have remained until present. Nowadays, new apartment buildings and other modern architecture tend to dominate in the resort. In Krynica there are over 30 buildings of mass accommodation (hotels, rest houses, rehabilitation centres), as well as hundreds of bigger and smaller guest houses, private accommodation and other places to stay. Krynica offers visitors all kinds of services, varied cultural entertainment, numerous sports events and other attractions. Boat cruises are organized from its port to Frombork, Elbląg, Tolkmicko and the Kaliningrad District. Several tourist routes run through Krynica Morska. East of the town centre there is the highest point on the Spit called Camel's Hump (49,5 m above sea level). The abundance of wildlife, sandy beaches, unique microclimate, numerous pine and mixed forests provide attractive conditions for recreation.
Piaski. A rest and recreation locality and perfect holiday destination. Lots of guest houses and private accommodation. A fishing port and a marina. Various services and a quiet beach. A bastion of peace and tranquility.
Przebrno. A small resort between Sztutowo and Krynica Morska. Rest houses, private accommodation, peaceful beaches. An obelisk commemorating the prisoners who stayed at the Stutthof concentration camp branch.

COMMUNE OF SZTUTOWO

The commune, with dominant tourist and leisure functions, is located between Krynica Morska and Stegna. Sztutowo, Kąty Rybackie and Skowronki are its major holiday resorts. The Commune of Sztutowo is characteristic of beautiful beaches, magnificent pine and mixed forests and plenty of waters. In a summer season many sports, cultural and folk events are organized here. Dni Rybaka (Fisherman Days) and Piknik Królewski (Royal Picnic) deserve special attention. Precious nature, water and horse tourism, numerous objects of material culture offer visitors a very good rest and attractive pastimes.

Sztutowo. A significant recreation and leisure centre. An administrative centre of the commune. A lot of rest houses, guest houses and a big selection of private accommodation. Wonderful sandy beaches, rich forests, a few historic objects (a drawbridge, a narrow gauge railroad, some residential buildings, a church), a horse riding centre, water equipment rentals, Ola's Gallery, the Stutthof National Museum (during World War II Germans organized a concentration camp here. 65,000 people lost their lives in it). These days, Sztutowo is a perfect holiday destination, with a big number of services to fulfill visitors needs.

Kąty Rybackie. A considerable rest and recreation centre. A large selection of accommodation and leisure facilities. A fishing port, two marinas, a passenger port and the Vistula Lagoon Museum. The Kąty Rybackie Nature Reserve was created to protect Great Cormorant - it is one of the largest colonies of this bird in Europe (35-40 thousand) as well as Grey Heron (800 pairs). Lovely nature, attractive location, excellent beaches, a possibility to go fishing or do some water sports, the multitude of sports, cultural and entertainment events guarantee a good rest.
Skowronki. It is a small tourist resort on the eastern edge of Kąty Rybackie. Soon a shipping canal across the Vistula Spit is to be constructed in this place

COMMUNE OF STEGNA

The Commune of Stegna comprises the areas of the Vistula Spit from the Vistula River to the boundary of Sztutowo as well as the Marshland south of the Spit. Such well-known holiday resorts as Stegna, Jantar, Mikoszewo and Junoszyno belong to the commune. This is the most attractive Spit commune as far as its history, nature and space are concerned. There are many leisure facilities: from sanatoriums, hotels, guest houses, rest houses, up to private accommodation. In the summer there are many sports, cultural and recreation events organized, therein the World Championship in Amber Finding. A narrow gauge railroad runs this way, which is a great tourist attraction. The commune offers many kilometers of long sandy beaches, beautiful forests and numerous historical objects. There is also a very rich trade and service range. Moreover, it is located close to Tri-City, Malbork and Elbląg.
Stegna. A seat of the commune administration. A large recreation and service centre. One can admire historic wooden buildings and most of all, a highly valuable church from the 18th century (frame construction) with precious interior decorations and Baroque pipe organ. In summertime, organ concerts are organized here. Additionally, a number of monuments in nearby villages are worth seeing, just to mention arcaded houses, a post type windmill and a water gate in Drewnica, drawbridges and a swing bridge in Rybina. Many similar objects are located in other villages as well.
Jantar. A big and attractive holiday village with wonderful beaches. Various recreation centres, plenty of services.
Mikoszewo. A tourist resort close to the Vistula River estuary to the Baltic Sea. Several interesting arcaded and wooden houses have preserved until the present and so has a historic bell tower at the cemetery. The Gull Sandbank Reserve (Mewia Łacha) at the mouth of the Vistula is well worth a visit.
Junoszyno. A settlement known since 1283. Nowadays, a tourist resort. Beautiful forests, pristine beaches, isolated Dutch homesteads (remains of Mennonites), wooden houses and those of nogging construction. An ideal place for quiet holiday.

TOWN AND COMMUNE OF NOWY DWÓR GDAŃSKI

Nowy Dwór Gdański is situated almost in the very centre of the Vistula Marshland and is regarded as its capital. There are seats of the commune and county authorities as well as numerous institutions serving this area. Food industry and service shops flourish here. The town is an important transport junction. It is almost a must see the expositions of the Marshland Museum (Muzeum Żuławskie) as well as wooden houses, a drawbridge and a water tower. Within the commune area there are plenty of historic buildings, including: arcaded houses (in Orlowo, Lubieszewo, Marynowy, Myszewko, Rychnowy), sacred buildings and interesting architecture in Marzęcino (a system of triple ribbon development). While exploring the region, one should not forget about its narrow gauge railroad (running to Spit resorts), various tourist routes (water, bicycle and hiking ones), big pump stations, sluices and the Nogat Estuary Reserve (Ujście Nogatu). The whole area is abundant in rivers, canals, flora and fauna.

COMMUNE OF ELBLĄG

The Commune of Elblag is situated at the boundary of the Vistula Marshland and Elbląg High Plain which, like in a nutshell, comprises issues regarding tourism, leisure and nature of the two physiographically different areas. There are beautiful forests, precious nature under protection, a great amount of waters and material culture. Among the valuable resources of the commune there are two ornithological reserves, archaeological excavations at the site of the primeval settlement TRUSO (in Janów near Elbląg), the lowest point in Poland (1,8 m below sea level) in Raczki Elbląskie, Mennonites' cemeteries, sacral objects and quite an original recreation centre called Little Holland (on the outskirts of Elbląg). Many hiking, bicycle and water tourist routes run in all directions through the commune. One cannot miss a pleasure cruise through the Elbląg Canal. Thanks to the unique slipways and other equipment to transport a boat on land, it can overcome a 100-metre difference in height between Elbląg and Ostróda. It is the only attraction of that kind worldwide and is eagerly visited by tourists from all over Europe and more distant countries. Within the commune area there are numerous hotels, motels and agro-tourism facilities.