In the early morning, the Nida pier awakens from its slumber. Boats gently sway, and the Curonian Lagoon reflects the dance of the first sun rays. We board a classic boat, which will soon become our home for this special journey. The air is filled with the scent of sea salt and pine, promising an unforgettable adventure.
The captain starts the engine, and we slowly drift away from the shore. The Nida lighthouse bids us farewell as the town’s panorama fades. Soon, we pick up speed, and the true spirit of a water voyage can be felt. The wind tousles our hair, and the spray from the boat’s wake refreshes our faces.
We sail along the Curonian Spit. On the left, golden dunes stretch, covered with mountain pines - a unique gift of this land. Did you know that these pines came here from the Carpathian Mountains? They were planted to stop the devastating sand drifts that threatened local villages. Now they stand as a living monument to the battle and cooperation between man and nature.
On the right, the boundless Curonian Lagoon glitters in the sun like millions of diamonds. Seagulls fly in the sky, occasionally diving into the water for prey. Their cries are the anthem of the Curonian Spit, resonating over the waters for thousands of years.
In the distance, Uostadvaris with its historic Rafting Lighthouse appears. This unique structure, located on the riverbank, tells of a past when life was bustling here, and tolls were collected for entering. The lighthouse, standing by the Atmata River, is exceptional because such structures are rarely built on riverbanks, especially by such narrow rivers.
The main purpose of the Uostadvaris Lighthouse was to help ships, barges, and rafts recognize where the entrance to the Minija was. This was crucial for navigation since the river network here is quite complex. Additionally, the lighthouse served as a landmark for collecting entrance tolls and a place to hire a towboat.
Today, this lighthouse stands as a silent witness, reminding us of the once intense life and trade that took place here. It has become not only a navigation aid but also an important historical and tourist site, attracting visitors with its unique history and architecture.
In the mid-19th century, when Lithuania was still part of the Russian Empire, a major construction project began at the mouth of the Minija River. Between 1863 and 1873, an impressive engineering marvel - the King Wilhelm Canal - along with the Uostadvaris lock, was built.
This lock, like a gigantic water gate system, was constructed from massive stone blocks and sturdy wood. Its chamber, resembling a huge bathtub, stretched almost 45 meters long and 10 meters wide. Here, in this chamber, real magic happened - ships could rise or descend, overcoming the water level difference between the canal and the Minija River.
The lock was operated by specially trained people who manually turned mechanisms to open and close the huge gates. Their work was incredibly important - the safety of ships transitioning from one waterway to another depended on them.
This engineering marvel opened new opportunities for trade. Now ships loaded with various goods from the Nemunas basin could safely reach the Baltic Sea without fearing the dangerous stretch of the Curonian Lagoon. The Uostadvaris lock became a gateway to a new era of trade.
Unfortunately, over time, the lock's significance diminished. Today it is no longer used as intended and is quite dilapidated. However, even in this state, it remains an important historical witness, reminding us of the bravery and ingenuity of 19th-century engineers.
There are now discussions about the future of the lock. Some dream of restoring it, hoping that one day ships will once again sail this historic waterway and tourists will marvel at this unique hydro-technical heritage. Who knows, perhaps in the future, the Uostadvaris lock will come to life again and become the starting point for new adventures for travelers and water enthusiasts.
Once, when the Nemunas Delta was just marshes and floodplains, people dreamed of fertile fields and lush meadows. Thus, the idea of creating polders - a kind of miracle allowing people to live and farm where water once ruled - was born.
In the 19th century, when this land still belonged to Prussia, a great land reclamation project began. Workers dug canals, built dikes, and constructed dams. They fought against nature, trying to make it obey human will.
In Uostadvaris, the heart of this massive project was the pumping station built in 1907. This extraordinary machine, a giant pump, tirelessly pumped water from lower areas into the Atmata River. Thanks to it, the once wet and useless lands turned into fertile fields and pastures.
Over the years, the polder system changed the landscape. Where there were once marshes, crops now grew, and cattle grazed. People were happy to live and work the land that was once inaccessible.
However, nature never yields easily. Although the polders benefited people, they also altered the delicate delta ecosystem. Many animals and plants adapted to living in wet areas lost their homes.
Today, the Uostadvaris polders and the old pumping station stand as a monument to human ingenuity and persistence. They remind us of the complex relationship between man and nature. Some polders still protect the land from floods, while others are gradually being returned to nature, restoring wetlands and inviting once-displaced plants and animals to return.
Thus, the Uostadvaris polders became not only an engineering marvel but also a story about the relationship between man and nature, about the importance of finding a balance between progress and conservation. They remind us that every action leaves a trace and that we must carefully consider how we use natural resources.
Our boat enters the Minija River, approaching the "Lithuanian Venice" - Mingė village. This place is extraordinarily unique. Instead of regular streets, there are rivers, and instead of cars, there are boats. Imagine a life where you need to get into a boat to borrow sugar from a neighbor! The architecture of Little Lithuania comes to life in every house and every corner. Wooden and brick buildings calmly look at the flowing river.
The journey continues, and at the travelers' request, we stop for lunch at the "Blue Carp" restaurant. Here, guests are treated to freshly caught fish, and the dishes reflect the true character of the Curonian region. While eating, we can watch the gently flowing Minija River and feel how slowly but surely the spirit of this place takes over us.
After lunch, we continue our journey and soon reach the only inactive locks in Lithuania. These technical monuments remind us of the times when man tried to control the forces of water. They stand as silent witnesses to past epochs when river navigation was vital for trade and the economy.
At Lankupiai, we enter the King Wilhelm Canal - a man-made creation. The King Wilhelm Canal is about 27 kilometers long.
This canal, also known as the Wilhelm Canal or the Klaipėda Canal, was built in the 19th century and connects the Minija River with the Klaipėda port. It was an important waterway designed to facilitate the transport of goods from the Nemunas basin to the Baltic Sea.
Construction of the canal began in 1863 and was completed in 1873. It was named in honor of King Wilhelm I of Prussia.
The King Wilhelm Canal is not only an engineering marvel but also a witness to history. The canal recalls the hard work of French prisoners of war and local residents, their sweat, and even the price of their lives paid for this canal to be what it is now. Sailing the canal, we feel as if we are touching history itself.
The Dreverna pier invites us to stop briefly and climb the 15-meter observation tower. From here, a breathtaking view of the lagoon, Dreverna surroundings, and the Nagliai Nature Reserve unfolds. It’s like a glimpse into the soul of Lithuania - boundless lagoons, green meadows, and forests, sand dunes - everything blends into one harmonious picture.
Our journey continues towards the Dead Dunes. These gigantic sand hills rise directly from the lagoon like an otherworldly landscape. They hide a sad history about the once-thriving and now sand-buried Nagliai villages. The highest of them - Nagliai Dune, rises 53 meters above the Curonian Lagoon level. It stands as a silent witness to the centuries-long human struggle against the encroaching sand.
We sail past Horse Horn with its warning lighthouse in the lagoon. This lighthouse guards against grounding on dangerous shoals. This place reminds us of the constant vigilance required from those who harness the forces of water.
Our path then leads past Pervalka and Preila. Each of these towns has its unique history and character. Juodkrantė lies far to our right, known for its Hill of Witches, Pervalka for its tranquility and fishing, and Preila for its wonderful beaches.
The day moves towards evening as we return to Nida. The sun sets, painting the sky and the lagoon in gold and purple. This sight reminds us of the eternal cycle of nature and our place within it.
In our hearts, we carry unforgettable impressions of Lithuania’s natural wonders, historical twists, and the relationship between man and nature. This journey along the King Wilhelm Canal is not just a water voyage but a dive into the layers of the past. It reminds us of the depth of our roots, the beauty and fragility of nature, and the importance of preserving and nurturing the unique corners of Lithuania.
Every moment spent here is an opportunity to touch living history, feel the grandeur of nature, and understand why it’s crucial to preserve this unique landscape