Ostróda

Ostróda is one of the oldest towns in the Masurian lake district. Amongst the monuments of the town distinguishes the Gothic castle, which was built by the Teutonic Knights during 1393  at the site of a former fortress from the late XIII century. Here was the seat of the Teutonic order Commanders. Since 1977, it was rebuilt after the devastation caused by war. Nowadays, it hosts numerous events in the courtyard and castle halls. It is also worth visiting a Neo-Gothic church in Ostróda built in 1856 – 1875, with an added tower in the early twentieth century, and as well as the evangelical-augsburg church of 1907. In the picturesque landscape of lakes surrounded by a dozen or so numerous moraine hills and charming mixed forests stretch yarn canals linking the lakes in the most charming waterways. Azure waters of the Masurian lakes, clean air, lush flora and rare in other regions of the country’s fauna create the perfect environment for relaxation. The advantage of Ostróda is modern and well-developed base of the hotels, allowing every tourist to feel good. Depending on the abundance of pockets, guests can relax in luxury hotels or camping sites and tents. Many other attractions of these beautiful and picturesque areas consist a prominent place a branched navigational system of  Elblag Channel, Which is being not only the longest, it is doubtless a unique masterpiece of the 19th century engineering on the world scale. Cruise starts in Ostróda, at the center of the town, at the  harbor of  Lake Drwęckie. on the route of this monument of art hydrographic were built two locks and five inclined ramps. Which do not overcome the difference in water levels of 99 meters. When approaching a ramp, a ship is hoisted onto a platform and travels on land to reach the other end of the canal. Amazingly, the ship seems to be sailing on grass. Regular cruises on the Ostróda-Elbląg canal set off at the marina on the Drwęckie Lake in Ostróda from the 1st., of  May till 20th., of September. There are amazing attractions for tourists who like hiking; are hiking trails: blue – “Naddrwęcki” and green – “Jezior podostródzkich” with a total length of 25 km. The excitements for the canoeists are to get familiar with the trails of Chanel: “Szlak Rzeki Szelążnicy”, “Szlak Kanału Ostróda-Elbląg”, “Szlak Rzeki Drwęcy”, “Szlak Ostróda – Miłomłyn – Stare Jabłonki” and the “Szlak Górnej Drwęcy”. The commune of Ostróda is endowed with rich nature and tourism. In the vicinity of Ostróda there are picturesque lakes, rivers, canals, forests and hills, including the highest peak – Dylewska Mountain (312 m above sea level). The commune has “Rezerwat Jez. Czarne” with rarely existing aquatic vegetation “Rezerwat Jez. Francuskie” and close to the Dylewska Mountain “Rezerwat Rzeka Drwęca”. A significant part of the municipality is Dylewskie Hills  Landscape Park with an area of 7,782 hectares. Besides the magnificent wildlife in the municipality there are many architectural monuments. These comprise sacral buildings, mansions,  palaces, bridges, viaducts and ancient railway lines. Worth seeing is the 14th century Gothic church in Glaznoty, the 15th century Gothic church in Ornowo, palaces in Ostrowina, Szydlak and Klonowo. One of the most famous and attractive leisure and tourist resort in the municipality of  Ostróda and the Masurian Lake District is Stare Jabłonki situated by the lake Szeląg Mały.  There is a hotel, camping, resorts, riverside hostels. A wide range of possibilities – water sports, and winter (ski slope near the Dylewska Mountain), beautiful forests, fresh air, rest, and a wide range of databases of accommodation – catering, that everyone will find something interesting.