According to Belarus’s official travel site, the Augustow Canal will mark its 200th anniversary on June 9, 2024, although Belarus, Poland, and Lithuania celebrated the bicentenary last year, probably because the planning of the canal began in 1823, months before the construction works commenced.
Situated at the crossroads of Belarus, Poland, and Lithuania, the Augustow Canal has long served as a vibrant hub for cultural and sporting events. This extraordinary hydraulic structure, linking the Neman and Vistula rivers, provides a route to the Baltic Sea north and the Black Sea south.
The festival “Augustow Canal in the Culture of Three Nations” unfolds every August near the Dombrovka sluice. This event celebrates diverse cultural heritage by bringing together unique folk music groups, musicians, and artisans showcasing their national artistic traditions.
Renowned for its breathtaking scenery, the canal is one of the most picturesque spots in Belarus. It captivates with its rich historical context and engineering marvels while offering diverse recreational and entertainment opportunities.
A Short History
Begun in 1824, the construction lasted nearly 15 years and resulted in 29 culvert dams, 18 locks, 21 chambers, 14 bridges, and 24 maintenance facilities, stretching over 101.2 kilometres.
The canal meanders through some of the most stunning landscapes, making it a prime tourist destination. The first walking tour along the riverbed took place in 1909, followed by a horse riding route.
During the Great Patriotic War, the canal’s hydraulic engineering structures, which included fortified positions, were heavily damaged. The bifurcation gate at Chertok was destroyed.
Between 2004 and 2006, the 22-kilometre-long Belarusian section of the canal was fully restored. This historic waterway, unused since the 1950s, underwent extensive repairs to address washed-out areas, collapsed sections, and ancient hydraulic structures. Numerous elements, including sluices, commemorative plaques inscribed with the designers’ names, wooden columns, and drawbridges, were meticulously restored by hand and now appear true to their original form.
In the Belarusian segment of the canal, five gateway regulators, two dams, and the shipping gateways Nemnovo, Dombrovka, and Volkushek are operational. Another gateway, Kuzhinets, is situated on the Belarus-Poland border. Notably, Nemnovo is the largest gateway on the Augustow Canal, measuring 9.6 meters long with a water drop of nearly 10 meters.
The Augustow Canal Today
Today, the Augustow Canal is a historical and cultural monument featured on the tentative list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The canal isn’t merely a waterway; it’s a true masterpiece, enveloped by dense forests and verdant meadows. Each gateway is a unique piece of history and architecture. A tour along the Augustow Canal offers the perfect opportunity to appreciate nature and explore Belarus’s cultural heritage.
The tourist season has already begun, with numerous engaging activities available:
- Boat rides: Experience the canal’s beauty from a boat or cutter’s deck. Visitors on the Belarusian side can embark on a scenic, hour-long cruise aboard the “Neman,” traversing the lock gates at Dombrovka. The Augustów Boat Transportation Company (Żegluga Augustowska) offers boat cruises on the canal in Poland. There are also boat rentals available, as well as catamarans and kayaking competitions;
- Hiking and cycling: Cycle along the scenic eco-friendly cycling track along the canal. More than 100 bicycles, including children’s, women’s and electric bikes, are available to travellers.
- Fishing: The canal is renowned for its diverse fish population (especially trout and grayling).
- Festivals and fairs frequently take place here.
Since the mid-1990s, the canal has been the venue for annual kayaking and catamaraning competitions known as “Neman Spring” each April. Moreover, the international cycling marathon “Neighbors” runs along the canal’s picturesque banks every July, attracting participants from Belarus, Poland, and Lithuania.
The Augustow Canal, with its fascinating history, is a notable attraction in the Grodno region, ideal for a family holiday, a romantic getaway, or an active outing with friends. It promises inspiration and unforgettable experiences for all ages.
The popularity of the Augustow Canal as a recreation area is growing. Infrastructure is constantly improved and additional conditions for tourists are created. Today, there are more than ten tourist routes within the canal area, including cycling, hiking and water. We plan to build several more.
Deputy Director for Sport and Tourism at the Grodno District Executive Committee Tatyana Lidyayeva
A Book About the Augustow Canal
A book on the history and tourism of the Augustow Canal, available in Russian and English, has been released in Grodno. The 250-page illustrated volume, “Augustow Canal: an Unusual Story and a New Life,” offers an in-depth exploration of this unique hydraulic structure’s past and present.
Today, there are not many books that can tell about the rich history of the Augustov Canal and its present stage. The book also has chapters devoted to sports tourism, investment opportunities of the region, its main tourist attractions, the most outstanding events and even the visa-free zone which actually starts from the Augustow Canal in Grodno Oblast.
Tatyana Lidyayeva
Various authors, including renowned experts from the Yanka Kupala State University of Grodno, crafted the book.