Tradition and Modernity - a Study Visit in the Vistula Fens with the ECOMARINAS Project
The ECOMARINAS project is a joint initiative of eight partner organizations from Poland, Lithuania, Sweden, and Germany, implemented under the Interreg South Baltic Programme 2021–2027. The project’s aim is not only to develop sustainable water management and improve the water quality in the South Baltic Region by reducing the discharge of nutrients and hazardous substances, but also to foster a deeper understanding of how humans can coexist harmoniously with water.
As part of the project, the Pomeranian Voivodeship organized three study visits, the first of which took place on October 1–2, 2024. Participants had the opportunity to discover the unique character of the Vistula Fens (Żuławy Wiślane) and the Gulf of Gdańsk – places where nature, history, and modernity intertwine into one cohesive landscape.
Day One: Learning and Perspective
The visit began with a conference held in the Round Hall of the Marshal’s Office of the Pomeranian Voivodeship, where participants discussed the challenges and solutions related to sustainable water management. Among the speakers were experts from various fields, including representatives of the Ministry of Infrastructure, the Gdańsk University of Technology, and marina owners from the Baltic Sea region.
Later that day, the group visited the Sopot Marina, located by the famous Sopot Pier. Participants had the opportunity to learn more about the natural resources of the Baltic Sea and the important role marinas play in their protection.
Day Two: Water as Heritage
The second day began with a visit to the marina at Sienna Grobla in Gdańsk, managed by the Project Leader – the Gdańsk Sports Centre. Afterwards, participants embarked on a voyage from Gdańsk to Błotnik, discovering the beauty of the Vistula Fens (Żuławy Wiślane) – vast polder landscapes rich in greenery and historic hydrotechnical structures.
The Błotnik Marina was a special highlight of the programme, serving as a reminder of the historic “Wedding of Poland with the Sea” over a century ago. To commemorate this anniversary, sailing boats were purchased, which today are used by young sailors, teaching them responsibility for the aquatic environment.
The Taste of the Region and the History of Water
The visit to the Vistula Fens (Żuławy Wiślane) was also an opportunity to experience the region’s culinary traditions, whose roots date back to the times when the Mennonites settled in the area — true masters of land and water management. It was they who introduced unique methods of polder management, and their legacy remains visible today — both in the landscape and in the local cuisine. The traditional Żuławy cuisine, based on local ingredients and drawing from the richness of the rivers and fertile land, offers a genuine journey through the flavours of the past.
Reflection on the Future
The Vistula Fens (Żuławy Wiślane) teach us that water is more than just a resource – it is heritage and identity. The ECOMARINAS project serves as a reminder that the future of the Baltic Sea depends on our shared responsibility and cooperation.
This meeting was not only an exchange of experiences, but also an inspiration for further action to protect marine ecosystems. Learn more about the ECOMARINAS project.
