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| Bydgoszcz Water Tram |
 The Bydgoszcz Water Tram is perceived as an element of the city public transport, and at the same time is a major tourist attraction. The popularity of this means of transport can be evidenced by numbers: 1570 hours of cruising a year with 40 thousand people carried. The trip on a water tram can start at Wyspa Młyńska (Mill Island). From there we can head off in two directions: towards Astoria or Tesco.
Direction WYSPA MŁYŃSKA - TESCO
The most significant buildings at this main riverside square Rybi Rynek – are the 18th century granaries with their t radi t ional half timbe r ed constructions. The beauty of these buildings, which presently serve as a museum, is emphasized by the neighbouring shape of the BRE Bank. These glass granaries designed by Andrzej Bulanda and Włodzimierz Mucha constitute a symbol of an energetically developing city and are an icon of cont emporary Polish architecture. Right beside this structure there is an enchanting red brick building designed in the Dutch mannerism style Lloyd’s Palace. The edifice was erected at the end of 19th century by a shipping trade entrepreneur Otto Liedke. On the other side of the river we can admire the monumental brick building of the Main Post Office, from the end of the 19th century. Once we pass under the first bridge – the Bernardyński Bridge we go past a palace on the Brda (1894) that used to be the seat of Bydgoszcz Rowing Association.
Today it is a restaurant. As we continue our cruise we get to the main coach terminal, where there is the first stop along the route. Along the last section we can see the sports and event hall “Łuczniczka”. This modern building can house over 8.000 spectators and is a stage for competitions of basketball, volleyball, handball and athletics. It was here that the following events were held: EuroBasket 2009, European Volleybal l Championships 2009 and one of the world most significant indoor athletic meetings – Pedros Cup. In the vicinity of the last stop there is the luxurious hotel “Słoneczny Młyn”. The hotel is located in the renovated old buildings of the former Kentzer’s Mills. This facility from 1916 presents an example of the typical industrial architecture of 19th century Bydgoszcz. The cruise on the tram “Słonecznik” or ”Bydgoszcz” will end by the Tesco supermarket.
Direction WYSPA MŁYŃSKA – ASTORIA
Direction WYSPA MŁYNSKA - GWIAZDA We can start our cruise on the Bydgoszcz Water Tram at Wyspa Młyńska (Mill Island), rightbeside the historic half–timbered granaries from the 18th century. Just before we get to the firstbridge along this route – the old town Jerzy Sulima–Kamiński Bridge – we will notice a rather unique sculpture hanging a few meters above the surface of the water. It depicts a gravity defying tightrope walker with a pole in one hand and spears in the other. The sculpture was unveiled on May 1st 2004 – on the day Poland joined the European Union tocommemorate this historical event.
Once past the bridge wehead towards the buildings of the Opera Nova, the Parish Weir from 1899 and the SS. Martinand Nicolaus’s Cathedral of Bydgoszcz (14601502). The next place on our route is Mill Island – an enclaveof greenery dotted with anumber of historic objects.
The majority of these buildings serveas museums and exhibition centres. The White Granary from 1789, located right by the bankof the Brda River, houses an archeological collection. The biggest complex of buildings on the island, a structure that comp l iment s its un ique atmosphere, are Rother’s Mills. Their history as old grain millsgoes back to the first half of the 19th century. The high point of our cruise, in the middle of the waterscape of the city, is the operations connected with getting through a lock. In the city lock from 1915, the vessel israised 3.5 meters. This historichydroengineer ing object enables boats to overcome the differences in the levels of water that are caused by weirs located within the area of Bydgoszcz. The most interesting building that we will be able to spot from the deck of the Water Tram at this stage of our journey, is the edifice of the former Headquarters of the Prussian Eastern Railways. One of the most splendid buildings in the city it was built in 1889 in the style of Dutch mannerism. The brick structure is richly decorated with masonwork details. A stop of the Water Tram is located right beside Queen Jadwiga Bridge.
Even though there are over 30 bridges of all kinds in Bydgoszcz, this particular one is considered the most meaningful in the city. It owes its popularity to its elegant look as well as to Jerzy Sulima Kamiń s k i – wellkn own Bydgoszcz writer – author of an epos entitled “Most Królowej Jadwigi” (Queen Jadwiga Bridge). This onespan bridge decorated with beautiful lamp posts and wroughtiron rails with the city’s crest was put to use on August 25th 1913.
The route 'Szlakiem Śluz' is the longest of all three, on which Bydgoszcz Water Tram floats.Inaugural voyage towards the harbor 'Gwiazda' was held on 12th of August 2010. The third connection was possible to open thanks to the city budget. Apart from the solar-powered ships 'Słonecznik I' and 'Słonecznik II' there is a historical, old-fashioned boat 'm/s Bydgoszcz' built in 1908 in the Rostock suburbs. The first part of this route follows 'the Old-Town' route. However, after passing the Queen Jadwiga's bridge, the cruise starts its right direction. From this point the view from the river Brda changes significantly – the urban buildings appear less frequently and you can admire the natural beauty of surroundings. During the excurion we pass many interesting engineering works. The first one is a complex of three railway bridges. Two of them were made of brick and built - first in 1851 and the second in 1872. This is one of the oldest using constructions of this type in Poland. The third bridge refers to the others, although is more contemporary and made of reinforced concrete. After the next 600-700 meters we reach the point where the Bydgoszcz Canal flows into the river Brda. This is the oldest active inland waterway in Poland built between 1773-1774. The Bydgoszcz Canal was registered as a monument in 2005. Several meters further we are able to experience the second lockage on this route. In the Okole district, near Mill Street, there is an old sluice No.3 'Okole' built in 1914. This floodgate is one of the hydraulic constructions of the Bydgoszcz Canal that allows the ships to raise or lower even 7,5 meters! It is also worth to mention that the episode "Wysoka fala" of the famous TV series 'Czterej Pancerni i Pies' was filmed in this lock. The scene in which the main character 'Gustlik' blows up the lock was recorded in 1969. After passing two contemporary road bridges, about 500 meters further, we are able to see two more crossing of the truss construction. The first one was built in 1913 as a railway bridge. However, it was rebuilt after the Second World War and used as a road bridge. Next to it, a twin bridge was raised. Nowadays the second one is used as a railway route. Just before the branching of the Old Canal and the New Canal, there is the last third lockage. After the lock 'Czyżkówko', next to the modern harbor 'Gwiazda', the last stop of Bydgoszcz Water Tram is located. From this point you can return to city centre in several ways: using the ship, tram or having a walk along the canal. The return journey of 'm/s Bydgoszcz' goes exactly the same route. The nearest traditional tram No.3 leaves from the terminus and the tram goes towards Jagiellońskie Roundabout. The most interesting way to come back to city centre would be the mentioned walk. The picturesque route through the park along the Old Canal is more then 2 kilometers. |
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