The city serves as a crossing of inland waterways of the west and east of Europe – including a navigable transport route known as Waterway E40 (connecting the Baltic Sea and the Black Sea) and E70, which runs from Antwerp, Belgium to Klaipeda, Lithuania!
The beautiful Brda River runs through the center of the Old Town; a little bit further we can find the historical Bydgoszcz Canal, and in the district of Fordon we can find the impressive Vistula, known as the “Queen of Polish rivers.” In addition, several smaller streams and creeks run through the city, creating a unique water atmosphere. Those who are not yet satisfied can look at this topic from a broader perspective, not only to the city, but also its environs. Along with the suburban water system, Bydgoszcz rivers and canals form the Bydgoszcz Water Junction, with the waterfront stretching for more than 100 km. To say that it is a perfect place for boating enthusiasts would be something of an understatement!
A city built on water
Water runs through the history of Bydgoszcz like a river. Indeed, the earliest traces of settlement in the area have been discovered in the proximity of the local rivers. What’s more, the first settlements, which can be called the predecessors of today’s Bydgoszcz, were located on islands surrounded with the Brda River.
During the Middle Ages, Bydgoszcz was called “the city on three islands”. These islands were created by
a bend in the Brda River and a moat surrounding the newly chartered city. A remainder of these times is the Mill Island (Wyspa Młyńska), known in the past as the Royal Island, situated within the perimeter of the Old Town. River trade activities carried out on the Vistula and Brda made that most of grains exported from Poland in the 15th-17th centuries were shipped through the city. Therefore, Bydgoszcz became a major commercial city nationwide. Another factor that stimulated its economic growth was construction of the Bydgoszcz Canal (1773-1774). A navigable waterway connecting the city with the west of Europe contributed to fast growth of Bydgoszcz, making it a big modern city. The local waterways were practically crowded with steamboats, barges and other vessels.
Reflections of historic landmarks in the river
Bydgoszcz is a true paradise for hydrotechnical heritage enthusiasts. Its most prominent example is the Bydgoszcz Canal, which is the oldest inland canal in Poland, still in operation. Its part that stretches through the city features seven locks, some of which date from the early 19th century. The most beautiful part of the Canal is a 3-kilometer stretch closed to navigation, seen in the district of Okole.
Reflections of Bydgoszcz granaries, the most distinctive landmarks of the city, are seen in the Old Town’s stretch of the Brda River. In the past, these magnificent buildings served as warehouses storing goods shipped later by waterways. The oldest of them, the White Granary on the Mill Island and the Dutch Granary on Mostowa Street, were built in the 18th century. In addition to the Bydgoszcz Canals, locks are seen on the Brda River, including the Municipal Lock in the city center, Brdyujście Lock and Czersko Polskie Lock, close to its estuary to the Vistula. In the city, we can also find several weirs, including Farny Weir dating back to the turn of the 20th century and Czersko Polskie Weir, Poland’s oldest cylindrical weir. hen visitors want to explore more than just hydrotechnical heritage, they should move further from the waterfront. Some of the historic gems waiting for them include Gothic churches, including the 14th-century Cathedral of Saints Martin and Nicholas and the 17th-century Poor Clares’ Church. There are also some excellent examples of historical residential architecture. Those who look for an atmosphere of Polish prewar cities are invited for a walk on Augusta Cieszkowskiego Street and 20 stycznia 1920 roku Street.
Blue and green
If there is water, then there is greenery! Bydgoszcz actually lies on a big meadow, which is surrounded with forests from every direction. Woods occupy one third of its area, and the image of a “green city” is completed with parks and squares, which occupy more than 900 ha. It ranks the city second in Poland, putting it just behind Warsaw. Must-see places in municipal green space include the oldest part in the city - Kazimierz Wielki Park, which origins date back to the 17th century and Jan Kochanowski Park in the city center, famous for its Archer Lady Statue, one of the symbols of the city. We also need to mention the biggest municipal park in Poland, namely the “Myślęcinek” Forest Culture and Recreation Park, which in addition to the part related strictly to the forest offers many other attractions like a zoological garden, dinosaur park, eateries and entertainment facilities, numerous cycling paths and running trails. Scenic green areas stretch also alongside local waterfronts. Strolling along the Brda Riverwalk, the Mill Island and Planty Park on the Old Bydgoszcz Canal with a plethora of trees designated as national natural landmarks will be a memorable experience. Greenery blends with architecture in a balanced way, the best example of which is the historical district of Sielanka, established according to the concept of “Garden City.”
City of sports. City of culture
Bydgoszcz raised many generations of water sports champions – rowers and kayakers, World and Olympic champions. Domination of the city on the aquatic sports map of Poland is highlighted by the fact that the local rowing club LOTTO Bydgostia-Bydgoszcz has been winning consecutive national team championship titles since … 1993! It’s an absolute world record and longest winning streak in the history, taking into consideration all team sports. The city also boasts the deep-rooted traditions in track and field, soccer (it produced one of the best football players in the history of Poland - Zbigniew Boniek) and speedway .
Bydgoszcz is also known as a major city of culture in Poland! The Opera Nova building, standing on the Brda River, in the proximity of the Old Town, has been hosting the Bydgoszcz Opera Festival since 1994. The Music District, the only quarter of this type in the country, stretches in the city center. A relatively small area is occupied by a group of music institutions known worldwide, including Ignacy Paderewski Pomeranian Philharmonic, Feliks Nowowiejski Academy of Music, and Artur Rubinstein State Music School Complex. We also invite you to the Mill Island, where you can visit Leon Wyczółkowski Distrct Museum, and Rother's Mills - Science and Culture Cener, which this year became the seat of the conference and is teeming with cultural life every day.