The north-eastern part of Poland is called the Land of a Thousand Lakes. And it's true - thousands of lakes cover Warmia-Masuria Province and part of Podlaskie. The region's landscape was shaped by the last glaciation around 14,000–15,000 years ago.
Last summer, I traveled mainly around the Biebrza National Park. Biebrza is called one of the last untouched rivers in Europe; more than 40% of the park's area is wetlands. However, I decided to spend two days a bit more north just to see the lakes. I live in the south of Poland, and I don't have such an opportunity very often. I wish I had more time to appreciate the region of lakes fully. Well, it's a good idea for another vacation :)
So I spent one day in Augustów, a medium-sized city (around 30,000 inhabitants) surrounded by lakes and beautiful wild areas. And how could I see as much as possible in a short time? It was best to go on a cruise :)
On that day, we sailed through two connected lakes. At first, the route ran along the built-up shores, but as it moved away from the port, the signs of civilization became less and less.
Soon, wild coves appeared in place of the concrete shores. We could see small tourist "settlements" with summer houses and marinas here and there.
And then there was only nature.
Of course, we passed tourist ships and small private boats from time to time, and we also saw tourist centers scattered along the long shores. But despite this, the lakes retained their natural character.
There was a guide on our cruise ship who told us about the history of the city, the nearby nature, and interesting facts. One of these stories is the legend of the Naked Sophia, and this is the name of a small headland located in the northern part of the lake. There are many different folk tales about Sophia.
Let's hear what the author of the book "Naked Sophia - echoes of the legend" Barbara Ostaszewska says about her:
Naked Sophia - the mysterious heroine of local stories. According to one, it was a girl from the ordinary people. On the midsummer night, she put a wreath to the water for a good omen of love. When it got stuck in the reeds, she went into the water to push it, and then she drowned. In another story, Sophia was a cantinière, following Napoleon's army eastwards in 1812. Accused by the French of double espionage, she lost her life in dramatic circumstances here on the headland.
Sophia is also known as a daughter of a forester who lives nearby on the Rospuda river, in love with a Russian officer during the November Uprising (independence uprising in the nineteenth century, during the partitions of Poland.)
Another story tells that she was the fiancée of a young man from Augustów, who fought in the January Uprising (another independence uprising during the partitions) in the surrounding forests.
In each of them, she is described as a sincerely loving person connected with the nature of the Augustów region.
The author was the originator and co-creator of the Naked Sophia's statue, which we can admire right next to the headland of her name.
After this story, our ship turned back, and we went to the port, sailing close to the shore. I noticed a building that looked like a historic mansion or a pre-war spa, and it turned out to be a modern sanatorium and spa center built only ten years ago. I liked it!
We slowly returned to the city limits. The park, green alleys, and modest buildings prevented me from feeling overwhelmed by concrete. Augustów is a typically touristic city; at the same time, it is easy to get away from the crowds here.
I warmly recommend visiting the wild areas of north-eastern Poland! Well, I know them still poorly, and I have a lot to catch up on :)
