Augustow (northeast Poland)

Linking to Weekend Reflections
and Shadow Shot Sunday 2

The Augustow Canal is a cross-border canal of Belarus and Poland, built between 1823-1839. There are only three canals like this in the world; the other two are in the UK and Sweden. Prussia introduced high custom duties on Poland and Lithuania goods and the canal was built to bypass Prussian custom duties. 

The canal is a direct link between two rivers, the Vistula and the Biebrza. Thus goods could be shipped to the Baltic Sea. They built 22 locks and 22 sluices (a water channel controlled at its head by a gate). It is now a tourist attraction and boating adventure. Although I would not want to go into Belarus - my guide said it has not been kept up in that area.

I hired an English speaking guide and she suggested I stay in Augustow which now I agree was the place to stay.  My hotel was right on the Netta River and a short walk into town. Those who owned boats were able to park their boats close to their rooms. 

 I joined an evening cruise on the Netta River going into Necko Lake and Rospuda Lake. 

 Netta River

 Viking tourist rides

 The viking boat owners and their guides were dressed in period costumes.

Along the Netta River was this monument for Freedom from Russia and dedicated to those who lost their lives during WWII. Flowers and candles were left from August 1 - celebration of Freedom Day.  Notice that the electric lines are not on wooden poles but cement poles that look like an upside down V.