The best MTB trails around Bełdany

Guzianka I navigation lock operating hours: April 10:00 – 19:00 May 10:00 – 19:00 June 10:00 – 20:00 July 10:00 – 21:00 August 10:00 – 21:00 September 10:00 – 19:00 October 10:00 – 17:00 Guzianka II navigation lock operating hours: April 9:00 – 17:00 May 9:00 – 17:00 June 9:00 – 17:00 July 9:00 – 19:00 August 9:00 – 19:00 September 9:00 – 18:00 October 9:00 – 17:00 https://www.ruciane-nida.pl/dla-turysty/zeglarstwo/sluza

A very important investment realized on the navigable route in the Ruciane - Nida commune by Wody Polskie in partnership with the Great Masurian Lakes Association 2020 is the new lock - Guzianka II, which connects the lakes: Guzianka Mała and Bełdany. The main goal of this investment was the modernization of water infrastructure and the improvement of navigation along the WJM. https://www.ruciane-nida.pl/dla-turysty/zeglarstwo/sluza

Guzianka I was commissioned in 1900, over a hundred years ago, and is still in operation today. The chamber length is 44m, the gate width is 7.5m, and the water level difference is about 2m. The lock gates are opened by an electric drive. https://mazury.info.pl/atrakcje/guzianka/index.html

One of the most popular attractions in Ruciane - Nida is the "Guzianka I and II" lock, which is the water connection of the town of Ruciane - Nida and Lake Nidzkie with the rest of the navigable route. It is the most frequently visited place by sailors in Masuria.

An exceptional curiosity is the presbytery, which unusually is located in the church tower. Above the presbytery is the historic clock mechanism and the bell tower. Of the thirteen evangelical churches in the Pisz District (miniatures are in the pictures) the Wejsuny church is the only one that has remained evangelical. To this day, the inscription in German above the entrance door "Our God is a strong fortress" has survived – these are the first words of the hymn of Lutherans all over the world, words of a song written by Rev. Dr. Martin Luther based on Psalm 46, and the inspiration for writing this song was the sight of the walls around Heidelberg Castle. You will find a detailed description at this link: https://wejsuny.eu/historia/

If anyone wants more details about the historical outline of the Evangelical parish in Wejsuny, here is a link https://pisz.luteranie.pl/parafia/historia/_wejsuny/

Neo-Gothic church built in the years 1908–10. The consecration of the temple took place on November 27, 1910. At that time, an organ was installed in the church, and in 1911, two bells were placed on the tower. In 1918, the bells were removed and then melted down for ammunition. In 1970, the church became a branch of the Evangelical parish in Pisz. In 2014, the original appearance of the temple's interior was recreated, including: the original colors and ornaments were restored. In 2015, the baptismal font was moved from the former Evangelical church in Ukta. Two plaques were placed inside, commemorating the parishioners of Wejsuny who fell during World War I and World War II. https://mpk.warmia.mazury.pl/kosciol-ewangelicko-augsburski-w-wejsunach/

I was covering another kilometer of the planned route and was just passing by this church, so I decided to pop in (at the time I didn't know it was an evangelical church). Just beyond the threshold, I was very kindly welcomed by a lady who offered me a tour of the church and museum, and to listen to its history and the sound of the organ. I was already a bit tired, so I gladly accepted this offer, which I do not regret.