Discover Mikolajki Poland – Your Ultimate Travel Guide

Mikolajki Poland Travel Guide

Mikolajki Poland Birdseye View
Mikolajki Poland Birdseye View

The name of this former village, a town since 1726, derives from Saint Nicholas. He is the protector of sailors and patron of a chapel standing on the windmill hill. The name appears for the first time in documents from 1444. These documents confirm the granting of land near Mikolajki, then a village belonging to the church, by the Teutonic Grand Master to a nobleman called Wawrzyniec Prus.

The village was originally a small area around the evangelical church and the main square. Villages across the lake could only be reached by boat. The first wooden bridge emerged in 1516. Today, in the place of the old bridge there’s a footbridge for pedestrians.

From the oldest times, the inhabitants of the area have fished the nearby lakes and cut wood from the forests surrounding the settlement. They also kept horses and cows, which led to developing weaving methods with the hair of these animals being used as a material to make skirts.

Catastrophes hit town

The dawn of the 18th century saw various catastrophes befalling the town. Severe frost damaged fruit trees as well as trees in the forest, 900 people died during a plague, diseases of fish and corn were spreading and Mikolajki was time after time damaged by fires. Another serious threat came in the form of the Napoleonic and Russian troops that marched through the town on four occasions.

In the 2nd half of the 19th century, a sailing route emerged on the Great Masurian Lakes. It has a system of canals and sluices making it possible for boats to sail from lake to lake. Around the same time, Mikolajki got a road connection to two important towns of Masuria, Mragowo, and Gizycko, plus a railway connection with Olsztyn, the capital of the district.

During the First World War, Russian troops blew up the bridges and subjected the town to artillery bombardment, but causing relatively little damage. Despite an intensified policy of Germanization, citizens of the town managed to keep their Polish traditions and language. After World War II, Warmia and Masuria returned to Poland.

Where To Stay In Mikolajki

Find Hotels In Mikolajki

Mikolajki Poland
Mikolajki Poland

Lying directly on the Great Masurian Lakes, the small town of Mikolajki is a popular holiday and water sports resort, rightly dubbed “the Pearl of the Masuria”. Well-known as host to many summertime regattas, it attracts thousands of sailing enthusiasts every year. Another tourist magnet and visitor is the annual Festival of Sailors’ Songs, featuring the finest performances of shanties.

Lake Sniardwy

The gateway to the enormous Lake Sniardwy called “the Masurian Sea”, Mikolajki is a smart and cozy town with some delightful red-roofed houses and three bridges. Though tourism has taken over the town with hotels, shops, and eateries, the effects of this have not been too detrimental and Mikolajki still manages to keep its charm. So, whatever your idea of holidays on the lakes, Mikolajki is sure to deliver what you enjoy.

The town is on Lake Mikolajskie and its marina, the busiest in Masuria, turns into a real hive of activity in summer when the waterfront hosts hundreds of yachts and tourists taking cruises on pleasure boats. Mikolajki is famous for its lively Sailor’s Village, boasting two hugely popular taverns – “Lady Mary” and “Pod Zlamanym Pagajem”. In both places, you can enjoy a cold beer in the company of boaters from all over Masuria, and listen to shanties every night.

Perhaps somewhat surprisingly, this is not one of those towns that die with the end of the summer heat and sun. Ice sailing is a highly popular sport among winter visitors.


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