Elblag
Elblag is set on the Elblag river, in the north-east of Poland, in the Warmian and Mazurian province. It lays on the road no 7 leading from Warsaw to Gdansk. It is 60 km from Gdansk, close to Dluzno Lake and the Wistula Bay. Elblag is connected by Elblag Channel by the Lakeland region.
The nearby water regions attract lovers of sailing, windsurfing, kayaking and in the winter ice yachting.
The history of Elblag dates back to 13th century when the Teutonic Knights built a castle in 1237. It has became an important port and belonged to the Hanseatic towns' union.
There are some interesting legends connected with the town history. The legend says that in Middle Ages Elblag was besieged by Polish Duke Swietopelk how suspected the town to be defenseless as all men of Elblag left fighting against Prussians. As the Duke's army attacked the town they saw a big army along the defense walls. The invaders got scared and left without the fight. People of Elblag laughed from the duke who was cheated by brave women who pretended a big army dressed as men.
In Elblag tourists will admire medieval gothic Old Town with a complex of reconstructed houses as well as many cozy restaurants, cafes and pubs where tourists can rest after busy sightseeing. The Old Town is a place of archeological excavation that revealed numerous objects of the historic everyday life that can be now admired in the Museum of Elblag. The St.Nicolas cathedrals from 13th century and 14th century market gate are worth seeing.
Tourists and inhabitants of Elblag love spending time in a beautiful park Bazantarnia, where you find many walking paths, concert shells and local attractions.
Elblag is a great starting point to make excursions to visit Frombork (30km) with its planetarium and the house where Nicolaus Copernicus lived, Malbork (30km) with the Teutonic Knights' Castle; Kadyny (22km) with many walking and cyclings trails, Elblag Hights; Vistula Bay (50 km): Stegna, Sztutowo with the IIWW concentration camp Stutthof, Krynica Morska; Gdansk (50km); Kaliningrad (Russia) (100km) with the Amber Museum and the birth place of the famous philosopher Kant.