There are few places with as much natural richness as Augustów, a city of 50 thousand inhabitants in the heart of the Augustów Primeval Forest (Puszcza Augustowska), classified as a spa in 1993.
Within the municipal area, there are 6 lakes, 2 canals and 2 rivers. A true paradise, not only for water sports and active leisure lovers. Indeed, you have no chance of getting bored here.
Almost every local holiday resort offers kayaks, rowing boats, sailing boats, pedal boats, motor boats or windsurfing boards for rent. You may also go on one of the cruises across the lakes or on the Augustów Canal (Kanał Augustowski), organized by the local Żegluga Augustowska line. You may also embark for a tour on the footsteps of the Pope John Paul II. The tourist trail was inaugurated in 1999 as the aftermath of his pilgrimage; the Pope visited the Augustów district in order to rest after the hardships of the official visit. There is a statue of the Great Pole on the Studzieniczna island, showing him with his eyes fixed upon a distant horizon; there is also an empty armchair on the bank of the Białe Lake, where the Pope waited meditatively for his ship “Serwy”.
The Augustów Canal itself is a ‘grade 0’ (Poland’s highest) listed historic site, and a candidate to the UNESCO’s list of World Heritage Sites. Built in the years 1823-1839 by a Polish engineer Ignacy Prądzyński, it links the basins of the Vistula and Neman Rivers. Its total length is 108 km (67 mi), including 80 km (50 mi) on the territory of Poland. The water level and traffic are regulated by 18 locks. An interesting leisure opportunity for those who are not afraid.
Those who do not fancy chilly lake breeze may enjoy the Sports and Leisure Centre (Centrum Sportu i Rekreacji) with its wide choice of water attractions. Other leisure opportunities include a bike trip (there are a number of bike rentals in the area), or a horse ride (stud farms), or finally strolls across the Augustów Primeval Forest or along the bank of a lake.
After active leisure, make sure you refresh yourself with one of the regional dishes:
- kartacze (potato dumplings stuffed with meat or cottage cheese),
- kiszka ziemniaczana (a sausage stuffed with ground potatoes),
- or some fish – the best ones are served by fried-fish shops near the lakes.
- Do not forget a piece of the sękacz cake for desserts.
It is really worth trying!
www.augustow.eu /English/
