Augustow Canal

This attraction is related to the countries:BelarusPoland

Augustow Canal is an outstanding hydraulic engineering construction of the XIX century, one of the largest canals in Europe, included in the UNESCO World Heritage Tentative List. The waterway with a total length of about 102 km starts from Lake Serwy near the Polish town of Augustów and runs almost to the Belarusian town of Grodno. Artificial channels 45 km long connected eleven rivers (35 km) and seven lakes (22 km).

There are only three such canals in the world: the Caledonian Canal in the UK, the Gotha Canal in Sweden, and the Augustow Canal, located in Poland and Belarus.

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History

There is not much time left before another solemn anniversary – the canal will celebrate its bicentennial. Construction began in 1824, due to the urgent need for a transportation corridor from Poland (as part of Russia) to the ports. Prussia at that time blocked the transit of all necessary goods through its territory, and thus their access to the sea.

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The project was quickly approved by the emperor, and construction began. It lasted 15 years under the direction of the author, Ignatius Protzinsky. More than 7,000 workers were invited for the work, and by 1839 the construction was finished and the canal opened for navigation. Most of it is natural water bodies, channels and lakes, but it also includes 40 km of artificial channel, which was dug manually, with wooden shovels. According to the project, a trapezoidal shape with a width of 9 meters was laid out for it. Initially, 29 dams and 18 sluices functioned here. There were service stations and bridges along the entire perimeter. The sluice gates were made of oak with iron trim. The dam gates were actuated by special designs with a gear mechanism.

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True, the canal was practically not used for its intended purpose. Closer to the end of construction, the open railroad showed a much more convenient way for the exchange of goods.

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Neither World War I nor World War II bypassed the Augusta Canal. A map will show many strategically important areas that were protected from invaders. Even today, there are still preserved concrete pillboxes along its entire length, which have suffered greatly from the battles suffered. During World War I, some locks were destroyed and dams were burned, but the canal was generally preserved.

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World War II affected it much more severely. Along its shore ran the famous Molotov defense line. The fierce fighting completely destroyed the hydraulic structures of the canal.

The preserved Polish part of the artificial reservoir suggested the idea of using it as a cultural and historical monument, recreation and tourism center. In 2004, the leadership of the Republic of Belarus decided to carry out a complete reconstruction of the canal in connection with its inclusion in the list of historical values of the country and UNESCO World Heritage.

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Unique ecosystem

It is home to dozens of animal species that are found nowhere else. Plants, animals, fish and birds – a whole world opens up here, available for viewing during a leisurely stroll. The August Canal (Grodno) is framed by a famous forest. It is called Grodno Forest. It is not suitable for walking, it is a dense, difficult to pass through thicket. Besides, this territory is marked as a specially protected one. Many trees here are more than 200 years old, it is a real relic forest.

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It is inhabited by lynx and wild boars, roe deer and beavers, deer and elk, not without wolves. Birds living here, especially the black stork, can be found few places except here. The waters of the canal are full of fish, grayling, trout and whiskers, listed in the Red Book, live here.

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Walking and cycling tours along the banks of the canal

As interesting as it is to sail here on a motorboat, it won’t give you as much emotion as walking along the banks. Summer is the best time to visit the August Canal. An excursion without a guide will cost quite inexpensive, but you can miss a lot of interesting places. Local places are among the most ecologically clean on the continent. Grodno forest stretches for many kilometers, giving you the opportunity to admire its pristine beauty.

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In the heart of the reserve is a beautiful recreational park of almost 6 hectares. It has areas for family and active recreation.

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On both banks of the canal there are beautiful garden and park complexes, churches and churches. Tourists are allowed to visit them, but only in the tombs you can go down only together with an excursion group. If you are traveling on your own, we strongly recommend visiting the palace and park complex in the village of Sviatsk, garden and park complexes dating back to the XVII century in the villages of Belye Boloty and Radziwilki. Fans of military history will enjoy looking at forts and fortresses of the late 19th and early 20th century, as well as the fortifications of the Molotov Line. Young people will find it useful to look at the places where their grandfathers heroically defended their homeland.

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Excursions on a motor ship

Passenger steamers ply the route daily. Depending on the selected tour, they pass from 20 kilometers and more. Prices are more than democratic, for an hour of walking you will give about one dollar. There is an opportunity to rent the entire steamer and a friendly company to celebrate a birthday or other holiday. An hour will cost less than 30 dollars.

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Such a vacation is suitable for those who do not like to move on foot, but want to review all the local attractions. The canal is not wide, it allows you to literally absorb the beauty of its banks. In addition, the motorboat makes stops so that tourists can see the most significant places.

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Features of various tours

Tourists can choose different programs for several hours or days. Whether it’s a Sunday stroll or a vacation in Belarus, rest assured that you will have a good time. A full-fledged tour is a long swim with sluicing. As a component of the tour program there is a bicycle rental. Staying in a beautiful place, led by a guide you will make a fascinating journey and look from different sides of the August Canal. The photos taken on its banks will remind you of pleasant moments for a long time.

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Family and corporate vacations

Calmly sit on the shore, breathe fresh air, fish – this option is chosen most often for family vacations. Ideal for this is the Augustov canal. Gazebos located on its banks allow to comfortably accommodate all members of the team, they have tables, barbecues and all necessary accessories. Aromatic kebab or fresh fish baked on the coals will add romance to your adventure. The only disadvantage is that you can’t swim here. The canal is navigable, so safety measures do not allow equipping beaches.

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Local attractions

There are interesting historical and architectural monuments of Belarus in the vicinity of the Augustów Canal.

In the village of Nemnovo the original House of the lock keeper, built in 1830 in the Russian Empire style, has been preserved. And the museum of the Augustov Canal in the building of the former tavern presents to the guests ancient maps of the area and schemes of the canal, handwritten documents, photographs and everyday objects of the XIX century.

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The village of Sopotskin has preserved the layout of the XVI century, the beautiful church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary and St. Joseph Kuntsevich, neo-Gothic chapels and the oldest Jewish cemetery (1278). It is also home to the only John Paul II Street in Belarus.

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Along the canal there are defensive pillboxes of the Great Patriotic War (“Molotov Line”) and forts of the Grodno Fortress, included in the list of historical and cultural heritage of Belarus.

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The palace and park ensemble of Volovici in the village of Sviatsk was built according to the project of Italian Giuseppe de Sacco. A mysterious legend tells about the appearance here of the ghost of his daughter, who was buried alive by her father in one of the columns of the palace.

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The magnificent Drutski-Hurski estate, a park with valuable plants and a 19th century water system are the main attractions of the village of Radziwilki.

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Not far from the canal are the agritourist complex “Garadzenski Maentak “Karobchytsy” and the historical and cultural complex “Partisan Camp”, which are popular with travelers.

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Festivals and holidays

The August Canal, located on the border of neighboring countries – Belarus, Poland and Lithuania – has long been a place of interesting cultural and sporting events.

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Every year in August, the festival “August Canal in the Culture of the Three Nations” takes place near the Dąbrowka lock, where original folklore groups, musicians, and craftsmen come together to present their national art.

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At the folk art festival “August Canal Invites Friends” (in May) one can get acquainted with Belarusian culture, learn handicrafts and taste national cuisine.

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Since the mid-1990s, the Neman Spring kayak, canoe and catamaran competitions have been held annually on the canal (April). And along the banks there is an international cycling marathon “Susiedzi” (July), which gathers participants from Belarus, Poland and Lithuania.

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How to get to the Augustów Canal

You can get to the Augustów Canal from Grodno by car or by bus: routes Grodno – Nemnovo, Grodno – Goryachki, Grodno – Kalety (stop “Sonichi” or “Augustów Canal”). It is convenient to go as part of an excursion group.

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From Minsk you can get there by car, having checked the map beforehand (direction Volozhin – Lida – Skidel). The distance from Minsk to the August Canal is 327 km.

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Tourists can stay in hotels in Grodno or agro farmsteads in the vicinity of the canal.

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