What to see in Masurian Lakeland

Not only the most popular 'station' on the Mazury sailing route, but also the place where during the sailing season the most interesting concerts, regatta's and festivities take place. Mikolajki, the Mazurian equivalent of Zakopane, is place to which the winds carry each and every sailor. In the evening the main promenade is the place to be for busy rendezvous between sailors on their yachts and the rest of the world.

Second in size after Mikolajki town, this place is worth a visit. The night life is lively, the local pubs and pizzeria's cater for everyone that is looking for tasty beer and sweet water fish - smoked or baked, and freshly caught.

Animal lovers should not miss a visit to a private game reserve, lying on 100 hectares between Mikolajki and Ruciane - Nida. On a two- hour walk one can not only see wild horses, deers, wolves , buffalos, mooses in their natural habitat but also feed some of them. The Park is open all year round from 0900 till sunset.

Not many people know that just a few kilometers from Mikolajki, on the shore of the Beldany lake, since a few years a mysterious land exists, that has traditions that go back to the 5th century to the 12th century when this land was inhabited by the Galind tribe. A visit to this place is like traveling to another world. The owners have built a hotel and restaurant that in atmosphere is as magical as the wooden sculptures, the ritual circle of stones, the hunger dungeon, the labyrinth or the surrounding park with surprises.

If you are interested in history, then visiting the most famous, and most secret hideout from the 2nd World War, superbly hidden deep in the forest Hitler's quarters are a sure thriller. The area of the quarters consists of three security zones numbering nearly 250 hectares.

Another point of interest on the historical Mazurian map of Poland is 'Feste Boyen' the most important strategic object in the area, built between 1844 and 1856. The fortress has a size of 100 ha and is surrounded by a high earthly wall.

For those that visit the main sanctuaries, an important stop should be the Swieta Lipka, due to its popularity also called the "Czestochowa of the north". Beautiful baroque interior, and an in 1721 built pipe organs which still sounds great and has angels moving on the rhythm of the music.

One of the few of this type of bridges in Europe, built in the late 1800's in order to connect the cities with Fortress Boyen. Presently it is opened according to a set timetable mainly for the many yachts passing through the Luczanski canal. Due to a special construction this bridge weighing 100 tons is opened by hand by one operator only.