HISTORIA
One of the largest towns in the Masurian Lakeland, Ostróda
can also boast a long history. The town is much older
than its Gothic castle built by the Teutonic Knights
in 1393 to replace an earlier timber fortress dating
back to the 13th century. For centuries the castle was
a seat of the Commanders of the Order. Destroyed at
the end of World War Two, it was reconstructed in 1977.
Nowadays, it hosts many events, which take place in
the courtyard and the castle rooms. Other buildings
worth seeing are a Neo-Gothic church built in 1856-1875
with a 20th century belfry and a Neo-Gothic evangelical
church from 1907. In the picturesque landscape of lakes
surrounded by moraine hills and charming forests, there
are several canals, which link the lakes and form splendid
waterways. Azure waters of the lakes, clean air, rich
vegetation and rare species of animals create perfect
scenery for summer holidays. To accommodate holiday-makers,
Ostróda offers a variety of places, from luxurious hotels
to camping sites. One of the region's principal attractions
is the Ostróda-Elbląg Canal. Being one of the longest
watercourses, it is doubtless a unique masterpiece of
the 19th century engineering on the world scale. The
two locks and five inclined ramps on the route from
Ostróda to Elbląg 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 1st May to 20th September. Numerous canal stretches
are a true paradise for canoeists. Highly recommendable
are the Szelążnica Waterway ("Szlak Rzeki Szelążnicy"),
the Ostróda-Elbląg Waterway ("Szlak Kanału Ostróda-Elbląg"),
the Drwęca Waterway ("Szlak Rzeki Drwęcy"),
the Ostróda - Miłomłyn - Stare Jabłonki Waterway ("Szlak
Ostróda - Miłomłyn - Stare Jabłonki") and the Upper
Drwęca Waterway ("Szlak Górnej Drwęcy"). Those
who would rather stand firmly on ground will enjoy two
highly attractive walking trails: the blue one running
along the Drwęca River('Naddrwęcki') and the green one
known as the trail of Ostróda Lakes ('Szlak jezior ostródzkich').
The Ostróda commune is endowed with rich nature. 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). To
protect such a wealth of natural environment, the commune
has several nature reserves, for example Czarne Lake
Reserve ('Rezerwat Jeziora Czarne') with rare species
of water plants, Francuskie Lake Reserve (Rezerwat Jeziora
Francuskiego') and the Drwęca River Reserve ('Rezerwat
Rzeki Drwęcy'). Two of these reserves are in the Dylewskie
Hills Landscape Park, which covers the area of 7782
ha. Apart from the wonderful nature, Ostróda and its
environs are rich in architectural monuments. These
comprise sacral buildings, manorial houses, palaces,
bridges and viaducts. Worth seeing are the 14th century
Gothic church in Glaznoty, the 15th century Gothic church
in Ornowo, palaces in Ostrowina, Szydlak and Klonowo.
One of the most renowned summer resorts in the Mazurskie
Lakeland is situated by two lakes: Szeląg Wielki and
Szeląg Mały in Stare Jabłonki. On the shores of the
lakes there are several hotels, camping sites, pensions
and guesthouses, which offer good accommodation and
catering for enthusiasts of water sports. And in winter
you can enjoy skiing on the slopes of Dylewska Mountain.
PRACTICAL INFORMATION
TOURIST INFORMATION OFFICE 1a Tysiąclecia Państwa
Polskiego Ave. tel. 089 642 30 00, www.it.ostroda.pl
TOURIST ATTRACTIONS
The Museum in Ostróda, 22 Mickiewicza St. tel. 089 646
26 02
The museum - open daily from 10.00 a.m. to 4.00 p.m.
Exhibitions - a permanent exhibition including models
of towns from the 14th and early 20th century; furniture;
archaeological finds; farmers' and craftsmen's tools.
- A cruise on the Ostróda-Elbląg canal
EVENTS - in the summer season: the Ostróda Days of the
Sea; Hot Summer Days; Ostróda's Festival
SPORT, TOURISM, CULTURE
Ostróda-Elbląg Canal, 9a Mickiewicza St. tel. 089 646
38 71
The Gallery at the castle, 22 Mickiewicza St. tel. 089
646 32 31
The Centre of Culture and Sport - at the castle, 22
Mickiewicza St. tel. 089 646 32 31
ACCOMODATION
The "Park" Hotel, 3 Maja St. tel. 089 646
22 27
The "Promenada" Hotel, 3 Mickiewicza St. tel.
089 646 81 00
The "Uniwersytet Warmińsko - Mazurski" Hotel,
6 Pieniężnego St. tel. 089 646 95 96
Hotel "Drwęcki", 7 Mickiewicza St. tel. 089
646 30 35
Hotel "Sajmino", 3 Kajki St. tel. 089 646
71 24
RESTAURANTS
"Park Hotel", 3 Maja St. tel. 089 646 22 27
"Pod Ostródzkim Smokiem", 6 Olsztyńska St.
tel. 089 646 42 35
"Altana", 3 Mickiewicza St. tel. 089 642 81
00
"Waza", 19 Czarnieckiego St. tel. 089 646
80 88
"Mazury", 53a Grunwaldzka St. tel. 089 646
48 45
"La Luna", Mickiewicza 13 St. tel. 089 646
89 08
"Kresowa", 10a Sienkiewicza St. tel. 089 646
67 85
"Kolumb", 13b Mickiewicza St. tel. 089 646
40 96
"San Biagio", 15b Czarnieckiego St. tel. 089
646 21 45
13b Mickiewicza St. tel. 089 646 81 68
The Town Office
24 Mickiewicza St., phone: 089 642 94 00
www.ostroda.pl
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