Mazury: Poland’s Lake District Hidden Gems and Clean Lakes

The news in Polish

1. jezioro  (n.)
   naturalny zbiornik wodny otoczony lądem ↩︎
2. las  (m.)
   duży obszar porośnięty drzewami ↩︎
3. bunkier  (m.)
   umocnione schronienie wojskowe zbudowane z betonu ↩︎
4. wieża  (f.)
   wysoka, wąska budowla lub część budynku ↩︎
5. widokowy
   związany z oglądaniem krajobrazu, umożliwiający podziwianie widoków ↩︎
6. widok  (m.)
   to, co można zobaczyć z określonego miejsca, krajobraz ↩︎

Translation

Text comprehension

Question 1: Which two lakes in Mazury are mentioned as being very clean?

Question 2: What can visitors find in Mamerki?

Vocabulary

Polish	English
jezioro  (n.)	lake
las  (m.)	forest
bunkier  (m.)	bunker
wieża  (f.)	tower
widokowy	observation
widok  (m.)	view

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The Masurian Lake District in north-eastern Poland is a popular summer destination, drawing large numbers of Polish visitors each year to a region known for its thousands of lakes, forests, and quieter alternatives to the busy Baltic coast.

Among the region’s most notable natural highlights are two of Poland’s cleanest lakes, both located in the Warmia and Masuria area. Lake Kirsajty, part of the Mamry lake complex, owes its exceptional purity to its polymict character — the shallow water is regularly mixed by wind, ensuring constant and deep oxygenation throughout the water column. The only public access point for swimming is a bathing area near the Sztynorcki Bridge, where visitors will also find a beach, campsite, and a mooring for boats.

At the western end of Masuria lies the second notably clean lake, Lake Kownatki, which offers more developed tourist facilities than Kirsajty. A beach in the village of Kownatki provides space for a full day of relaxation, with a bar and campsite located nearby. The site sits less than 30 kilometres from Olsztynek.

For those interested in history, the village of Mamerki, near Węgorzewo, is home to a complex of Second World War bunkers that once served as the headquarters of the German Army High Command. Unlike the more famous Wolf’s Lair, the 30 bunkers here were never blown up by the retreating forces of the Third Reich. Visitors follow a designated route around the site, with a recommended visiting time of two to three hours. The complex also houses a Museum of the Second World War dedicated to the Eastern Front, featuring scale models of battles including Kursk and Stalingrad, a replica submarine connected to the legend of the Masurian Canal, and a copy of the famous Amber Room.

Lovers of walking and scenery can head to Kurza Góra in Kurzętnik, where a 35-metre wooden observation tower sits atop a hill reached by a nearly two-kilometre treetop path. The tower offers panoramic views of the Drwęca valley and the landscapes of Ziemia Lubawska. Entrance tickets cost between 52 złoty for pupils, students, and seniors, and 59 złoty for a standard ticket.