Warmian-Masurian is the "Land of a Thousand Lakes" where the blue water and green woods stretch as far as the eye can see. This region is the home of the Masurian lakes road trip which takes you through a maze of over two thousand lakes connected by canals. You can watch the sun set over the Śniardwy lake which is so big that you cannot see the other shore.
The road leads you to the Wolf's Lair where the giant concrete ruins of Hitler's headquarters are hidden in a dark forest. You can walk between the massive blocks of mossy stone and see where the history of the world was decided during the great war. Nearby the Reszel castle and the holy site of Święta Lipka offer a look at the fine brick work and baroque music of the north.
As you head west you will find the Warmia region where the red brick cathedrals and castles was the home of Copernicus. You can visit the castle in Lidzbark Warmiński to see the grand halls where bishops lived and worked. This region is a paradise for those who love the water and the woods where every road leads to a quiet bay or a hidden stone fort.
Warmian–Masurian highlights
- Wolf's Lair Bunkers Walk among giant blocks of mossy concrete that were used as a secret forest base during the war. The ruins are massive and show the dark power of the history that happened here.
- Lidzbark Warmiński Castle Visit a grand brick fort where the astronomer Copernicus lived and worked on his maps of the stars. The court inside has high arches and the rooms are full of old art.
- Krutynia River Kayak Paddle a boat down a shallow river with clear water and green trees that hang over the bank. It is the most beautiful water trip in the land and very easy to do.
- Śniardwy Lake Shore Stand on the beach of the largest lake in the land and look out at the water that looks like a sea. The shores are quiet and full of wild birds and thick green reeds.
- Boyen Fortress Explore a giant star shaped fort built to guard the gap between the big lakes in the north. You can walk the high earth walls and see the old brick gates and bunkers.
- Reszel Medieval Town Wander through a town of red brick houses and a high castle that has stayed the same for centuries. The brick bridge and the narrow streets make it a perfect stop for a walk.
- Święta Lipka Basilica Listen to a giant organ with moving figures of saints in a church that glows with gold and pink art. It sits in a quiet valley and is a famous place for people on a journey.
- Frombork Cathedral Hill See the brick towers on the edge of the sea where the man who stopped the sun and moved the earth is buried. The view from the tower shows the thin strip of land in the water.
- Elbląg Canal Incline Watch boats being pulled across the grass on tracks to move them from one level of water to the next. it is a unique machine from the old times that still works today.
- Gierłoż Forest Ruins Find the hidden concrete bunkers where secret decisions were made in the middle of a dark pine woods. The forest is reclaiming the stone and it feels very quiet and spooky.
The local Four
History of Warmian–Masurian
Warmian-Masurian is a land of water and shadow where over 2,000 lakes are linked by secret canals. For centuries, Teutonic Knights ruled this region from brick castles, like the one in Nidzica built in 1381, which reflect in the blue water. This watery world is the heart of a Masurian lakes road trip through the Land of a Thousand Lakes.
During World War II, the deep forests were used to hide a massive city of concrete bunkers known as the Wolf's Lair. Built in 1940, these giant blocks of mossy stone served as a hidden headquarters for over three years. Today the forest is slowly eating the ruins, leaving behind a spooky and quiet world of grey stone and green leaves that hide the past.
The land of Warmia was a place of high science where Nicolaus Copernicus spent his days as a canon in the 1500s. He lived in the red brick towers of Frombork and wrote his great work on the stars while looking out over the water. From the holy music of Święta Lipka to the silent boats on the lake, this region is a paradise of nature and the stars.