Location on the map: Augustovsky Canal – a place for active recreation
When the weather whispers, you rather want to go to nature. Do not think about anything superfluous, ride a boat or spin the pedals of a bicycle. Anyway, something so that the impressions will last for a long time. We offer you to go on a virtual trip along the August Canal and enjoy our Belarusian beauty.
When talking about the August Channel, be sure to add the word – unique. A miracle of engineering. An ambitious project of the 19th century. One of the largest canals in Europe is included in the preliminary List of UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
There are only three such channels in the world: the Caledonian Canal in the UK, the Gota Canal in Sweden, and the Augustovsky Canal in Belarus. This is a truly unique object of its time: in terms of the complexity of engineering solutions, scale and, of course, the natural beauty of these places.
The waterway with a length of about 102 km starts from Lake Serva near the Polish Augustow and runs almost to the Belarusian Grodno. Artificial channels 45 km long connected eleven rivers and seven lakes.
The idea of creating a canal was born in the second half of the 18th century. And in 1824, the August Canal project was approved by Emperor Alexander I. The construction took 15 years. 29 flow-through dams, 18 locks, 21 chambers, 14 bridges, and 24 canal maintenance facilities were constructed.
Initially, it was conceived as a transport artery for the alloy of wood and goods. However, passing through the most beautiful places, the August Canal has become a tourist mecca. In 1909, the first walking tour took place along the riverbed. Later, an equestrian route was opened.
During the wars of the last century, the building was badly damaged, but later it was reconstructed. In 2004 – 2006, the Belarusian section of the canal was renovated. Experts have restored the riverbed, which has not been used since the 1950s, washed-out and collapsed areas, old hydraulic structures.
Today, the Augustovsky Canal is a great place for active recreation, water tourism, hiking and cycling. Its unique natural beauty attracts thousands of visitors.
The canal runs through the territory of the republican landscape reserve "Grodno Forest". This is not only one of the most environmentally friendly places in Belarus, but also in the entire continent of Eurasia.
And in the heart of the reserve is Augustovskaya Pushcha: one of the largest woodlands in Europe, located on the territory of three countries. You need to see it with your own eyes!