Telling about the town is like telling a fairy tale. You'll find charm, beauty, mystery and history all with their happy ends. Just like fairy tales. The only thing that is not fairy-tale is the beginning. Instead of the well-known “Once upon a time, in a land far, far away...” there's the modern “Not long ago in a land very, very near...” Let us then start the tale...
Not long ago in a land very, very near, in Western Masuria, beautifully located lies the town of Ostróda. It isn't very big – only around 35 thousand inhabitants – and not very small either – fourth biggest town of the Warmian-Masurian Voivodship. It's just the right size to relax and not get bored. How can you get bored amongst fifteen lakes at a close distance with five within the town limits? Here is the central port of the network of three canals: the Ostróda-Elbląg Canal, Ostróda-Stare Jabłonki and Ostróda-Iława. Also, the river Drwęca flows through Lake Drwęckie right to the Vistula1. All this makes Ostróda a dream place for those into water sports and sailing. Weary canoers or sailors or motor sailors or canal cruise makers may rest here while visiting interesting monuments, sunbathing on a sunny beach or socialising in Ostróda's many restaurants and bars. Or they may simply enjoy the unspoilt beauty of the local nature. Ostróda wasn't nicknamed “The Pearl of Masuria” for no reason. The allure of the town, for some time impaired by the twists and turns of WWII, again shines and enchants both visitors and locals.