The legendary 11-hour cruise on the Elbl\u0105g Canal is returning \u2014 one of the most unusual water routes in Europe. After a 15-year break, tourists will once again be able to travel from Elbl\u0105g to Ostr\u00f3da.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Elbl\u0105g Canal (or Ostr\u00f3dzko-Elbl\u0105ski) is a 151-kilometer waterway and the only functioning canal in Europe where vessels not only travel on water but also move overland on special platforms. The route is considered an engineering marvel of the 19th century and one of Poland's main tourist attractions<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The idea for its construction arose in 1844 to connect Masuria with the Baltic Sea. The project turned out to be so complex that its cost exceeded that of the Eiffel Tower. Over time, the canal lost its economic significance but became a popular tourist route<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The main feature is the inclined boat lifts between Buczyniec and Kalu\u0144. Here, vessels «ride on grass» on rail platforms, overcoming a height difference of nearly 100 meters without electricity \u2014 thanks to water wheels and the force of water.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
After the reconstruction from 2011 to 2015, the system has been fully restored, and now full cruises are returning along the entire length of the canal \u2014 through lakes, locks, and unique engineering structures<\/p>\n\n\n\n