Attractions in the area

The Pranie Forester's Lodge, located about 9 km from the Nidzkie Hotel, now known as the Konstanty Ildefons Gałczyński Museum, is picturesque situated on Lake Nidzkie, surrounded by the Piska Forest. This place is of special significance, as the outstanding Polish poet Konstanty Ildefons Gałczyński spent a lot of time here. Pranie became his favorite place to work and relax between 1950-1953, where he created many of his well-known works.

The museum was opened in 1980, and inside you can admire numerous mementos of the poet, including manuscripts, photographs, personal belongings, and first editions of his books. The exhibition was enriched with items from Gałczyński's Warsaw apartment, allowing for a better understanding of his life and creativity.

The Pranie Forester's Lodge is also an active cultural center. During the summer season, various events take place here, such as concerts, exhibitions, literary meetings, and poetry recitations. Particularly popular are the "Music with Gałczyński" concerts and the Orpheus Gala, where awards are given for the best poetry volume.

For nature enthusiasts, the forester's lodge offers educational trails that lead through the picturesque areas around Lake Nidzkie. Trails such as the "Gałczyński's Footsteps" path allow visitors to admire the local fauna and flora, as well as discover places associated with the poet, like the 800-year-old Perkun Oak.

The Pranie Forester's Lodge is an ideal place for those who want to combine a love of literature with the beauty of Masurian nature. It is a unique place where Gałczyński's spirit is still alive, offering visitors not only insight into his work but also the peace and charm of the Piska Forest.

The Wild Animal Park in Kadzidłowo is a unique place located in the picturesque Piska Forest, part of the Masurian Landscape Park. Founded by Dr. Andrzej Krzywiński in 1992, the park covers about 100 hectares and is home to over 400 animals, both native and exotic.

A Unique Experience

The park tour is conducted exclusively with a guide, allowing for a deeper understanding of the habits and biology of the inhabitants of this place. Tours last about 1.5 hours and include direct access to the enclosures of some animals, enabling feeding and petting them. Guides provide interesting information about individual species and the need to protect them.

Diversity of Fauna

In the park, you can see many animal species such as lynxes, wolves, black grouse, capercaillie, raccoons, Chinese muntjacs, and Milu deer. There are also birds of prey and ornamental birds such as eagles, owls, and peacocks. The park is involved in programs for the protection of endangered species, cooperating with ecological organizations, making it an important center for reintroduction.

Practical Information

The park is open to individual tourists and organized groups. Admission tickets cost 50 PLN for adults and 25 PLN for children. There are free parking facilities on site, but payments must be made in cash. Thanks to its picturesque location on forest clearings, the animals live in conditions close to their natural habitat, making a visit here a true pleasure.

Location

The park is located in Kadzidłowo, near Ruciane-Nida and the Nidzki Hotel (about 12 km). Its location in the heart of the Piska Forest offers visitors the opportunity to experience nature in its purest form. Visiting the Wild Animal Park in Kadzidłowo is an unforgettable experience that combines close contact with nature, education, and the chance to see rare animal species up close. It is an ideal place to spend a day surrounded by beautiful Masurian nature, suitable both for families with children and wildlife enthusiasts.

The Old Believers' Monastery, also known as the Savior and Holy Trinity Monastery, is a unique attraction in Masuria, located in the village of Wojnowo, near Ruciane-Nida (about 10 km from Hotel Nidzki). This historic complex is an important place for the Old Believers, a religious group that rejected the reforms of the Russian Patriarch Nikon in the 17th century.

History and Architecture

The monastery was founded in 1847 by monk Pavel Ledniew and was initially a male monastery, later transformed into a female monastery. The monks who settled here came from Russia, seeking refuge from persecution. Over the years, the monastery was an important spiritual and educational center, where monks ran a school and gathered extensive library collections. In the 20th century, the monastery passed into private hands and currently operates as a museum open to visitors.

Visiting

Tourists visiting the monastery can see its rich collection of icons, holy books, and other artifacts related to monastic life. It is worth paying attention to the iconostasis and a collection of photographs documenting the life of the nuns. On the monastery grounds, there is also a cemetery where nuns and people connected to the monastery are buried.

Attractions in the Area

Wojnowo is not only about the monastery. Nearby is a molenna, a prayer house of the Old Believers, and the Orthodox Church of the Dormition of the Mother of God, built in a style referring to traditional Russian churches. These surroundings are also popular among tourists due to their picturesque location by Lake Duś and opportunities for active recreation, e.g., kayaking trips on the Krutynia River.

Practical Information

The monastery is open to visitors daily from 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM. In the summer season, a café operates on the monastery grounds where you can try homemade pastries. Admission to the monastery is free, making it an attractive option for tourists wishing to explore the history and culture of the Old Believers in Masuria. Visiting the monastery in Wojnowo is not only a history lesson but also an opportunity to experience the beauty of Masurian nature and discover Eastern religious culture in Poland.

The PAN Research Station in Popielno, located on the picturesque Popielno Peninsula, is part of the Institute of Animal Reproduction and Food Research of the Polish Academy of Sciences (PAN) in Olsztyn. Situated in the heart of Masuria, the station is surrounded by the Śniardwy, Bełdany, and Warnołty lakes, covering an area of over 1600 hectares. It is a place of scientific, educational, and tourist significance. The PAN Station in Popielno is located approximately 17 km from Hotel Nidzki.

History and mission

The station was established in 1955, and from the very beginning, its main goal has been the protection of biological diversity. As part of its activities, it conducts conservation breeding of species such as Polish Konik horses, Polish Red cattle, and beavers. These efforts are crucial for preserving the genetic diversity of these species and protecting them in their natural environment.

Education and museum

On the station's grounds, there is a natural history museum housed in an 18th-century historic granary. The museum exhibition presents a collection of deer antlers, information about European beavers, and displays dedicated to Polish Konik horses. Visitors can also see historic carriages and sledges, making this place interesting for both children and adults.

Tourist attractions

The station offers various educational programs, including Green Schools, field classes, nature observations, and thematic workshops. For lovers of active recreation, there are nature and botanical trails that allow for a closer look at the local flora and fauna. Additionally, horseback riding lessons and carriage rides are available, providing direct contact with nature and animals.

Environmental protection

The station also conducts long-term research programs on biodiversity as an indicator of pollution and environmental degradation. These projects aim at environmental renaturalization and the protection of endangered species. As part of these efforts, projects are carried out in cooperation with ecological organizations, which further highlights the station's importance in nature conservation.

A visit to the PAN Research Station in Popielno is an excellent opportunity to deepen knowledge about ecology, animal breeding, and nature protection, as well as to enjoy the beauty of Masurian nature.

The Orthodox Church of the Dormition of the Most Holy Mother of God in Wojnowo is one of the most important sacred monuments in Masuria. Built in 1922-1923, this temple is an example of architecture modeled on Russian churches from the Tver region. The initiator of its construction was Father Aleksander Awajew, who served as the parish priest until 1956. The church is located about 10 km from the Nidzki Hotel.

History

The origins of the church are connected with the mission of the Russian Orthodox Church aimed at uniting Old Believers with Orthodoxy. In the 1920s, Aleksander Awajew, a former Russian officer, initiated the construction of the church for the local community of Old Believers. The temple was consecrated in 1927 and served the parish until the end of World War II.

Architecture

The Wojnowo church, built on a cross plan, features white walls with blue trims and a domed tower. The interior of the temple is modest but adorned with a beautiful iconostasis with golden icons, which gives the place a unique charm.

Current Activity

After the end of World War II, the church parish came under the jurisdiction of the Polish Autocephalous Orthodox Church. In the 1990s, a thorough renovation of the temple was carried out, and in 2013 it was reconsecrated. Currently, the church is not only a place of worship but also a tourist attraction, attracting many visitors.

Visiting

The church is open for visitors from Monday to Saturday from 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM and 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM, and on Sundays from 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM. Tourists can admire not only the architecture and interior of the temple but also the adjoining cemetery and monastery buildings.

Wojnowo, with its church, is an important religious and cultural center of the region, offering a unique insight into the heritage of Old Believers and Orthodox Christians in Masuria.

Guzianka Lock, located near Ruciane-Nida, about 2.5 km from the Nidzki Hotel, is a key hydrotechnical structure on the Great Masurian Lakes route. Operating since 1879, the lock connects Lake Bełdany with Lakes Guzianka Mała and Guzianka Wielka, enabling navigation on the route to Lake Nidzkie. Approximately 20,000 vessels pass through the lock annually, including yachts, motorboats, and kayaks.

History and operation

Guzianka I Lock, built in 1879, has undergone many renovations to ensure its functionality and safety. Due to increasing water traffic, a new Guzianka II lock was opened in 2020, which significantly improved capacity and reduced waiting times for locking through. The modern technical solutions applied in the new lock make the crossing process more efficient and safer.

Tourism and attractions

Guzianka Lock is not only an important infrastructure element but also a popular tourist attraction. In summer, it attracts many sailors and tourists who can observe the locking process. The area also has other attractions, such as a former German bunker and numerous yacht ports, offering additional leisure opportunities.

Practical information

Guzianka Lock operates seasonally from May to September, daily from 8:00 AM to 7:00 PM. The locking process takes about 20 minutes and allows vessels to overcome a level difference of about 2 meters. Thanks to modernization, both Guzianka I and II locks provide efficient and fast crossings, which is especially important during the season when water traffic is most intense.

When visiting Guzianka Lock, it is also worth planning time to explore nearby Ruciane-Nida, where you can restock supplies and enjoy local attractions. It is an ideal place for lovers of sailing and beautiful Masurian landscapes.