mysteries of szczecin's historic islands · 2.1. geology of pobrzeże of szczecin there is a...

Anna Tertel Mysteries of Szczecin's Historic Islands 50th ISOCARP Congress 2014

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Mysteries of Szczecin's Historic Islands

Anna Tertel

Abstract

This research present reason for the promotion of a historic architecture of ecosystems within city structures to develop water management, describe and qualify water, polders area and protect old hydrological structures from damage allow it to evolve in time for future settlements. This topic is as spatial and formal as political, economic and social issues with the potential to influence thinking and policy of the governors. The studies were performed with qualitative research, literature studies, observation of the study area, the preparation and analysis of historical and contemporary maps and comparative studies.

The aim is to raise awareness the issue of lack of water planning or planning cursory, poor protection of historic ports and urban water, bring attention to urban planning of the aquatic environment and the risk of the destruction of the unique monuments located in closed port areas, as well as to bring attention to the lack of inventory and registry entries monuments and the lack of documented cultural heritage maritime coastal cities. About 60% of Szczecin (PL) is covered by green-blue infrastructure of parks, forests, polders, waters and islands. The islands are located in Oder river delta between Dąbie Lake and West Oder River as unique in European scale natural habitat for plants and animals within the urban structure. The Gryfia is an island, where a shipyard for ships and u-boots functioned. Presently new developments are planned to be built and there is a risk of damage to unknown historical heritage (Figure 1).

Water areas of Szczecin are characterized by a unique natural and historical heritage, which needs constant protection, development, education and promotion among tourists, residents and students. The challenge is to preserve the maritime tradition of that area, respect culture and history of previous centuries. The historical structures should be renovated and preserved as qualitative aspects of landscape and technical heritage. The education about such achievements would increase people's aspirations, values and concerns to water, ecology and climate related topics in port cities everywhere.

Figure 1: View from Ostrow Grabowski on Eagle Isthmus and Naval Island (photo by author 2014)

1. Introduction

This research describes reasons for the promotion of a historic architecture of ecosystems within city structures, raising awareness of water planning problems and need to plan in comprehensive way. In the article is described a quantitative case study of Szczecin city waters. Every section base on literature, maps, photography and drawings and site visits (e.g. ecology maps, topography maps, wind and water current analysis, political borders, analysis of depth, water use etc.). There is a need to develop water management procedures, describe and qualify transborder water regulations, polders area and protect old hydrological structures from damage to allow it to evolve in time for future settlements. This topic is as spatial and formal (water and flood risk planning, climate change issues) as political (different regulations of waters located in two countries), economic (economical and financial value of water and nature) and social issues (increase of sport events and social activities) with the potential to influence thinking and policy of the governors.


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2. Legends and stories of Międzyodrze

One of the legends tells of the war between the major deities of the Slavs and Germanic tribes, Odin and Perun, this war went on for years and disturbed the lives of people who mimicked their gods by fighting with each other1. In the end, the wives of Odin’s Freja and Perun’s Mullein decided to stave off dissent and created the Odra River. When Mullein of Perun went on a cruise together, Odin maliciously turned the Odra River into a viper that drank water from the Baltic Sea. Because there was getting less and less water, the god Perun asked Pluskon for help, who tore a piece off the coast of Scandinavia and stuffed it down the snake’s throat, choking him. The lands that got thrown out turned into the islands of Usedom and Wolin, the snake’s mouth is the Szczecin Lagoon and the trunk of the sinuous meanders is the river, where water from time to time under the influence of the north wind changes direction and flows into the depths of the river, as if the Odra Viper wanted to drink water from the Baltic Sea.

2.1. Geology of Pobrzeże of Szczecin

There is a theory that the Szczecin Lagoon and Lake Dabie Baltic belonged to the Pomeranian Bay. With time along the coast due to sea currents a split was created which closed the Oder River delta islands to form part of the Gulf Sea, combined with three rivers: Dziwna, Świna (Swine) and Piana (Peene). The narrow isthmus between Roztoka Odrzanska and Lake Dabie was probably due to the application of sludge in the region of the mouth of the Oder River delta by the river Ina. Lower Oder Valley also changes its shape as a result of application of sludge in the upper reaches of the river. The largest complexes of these bogs are located at the mouth of the Oder Valley.

2.2. History of the Oder River Delta in Szczecin

In the lower reaches of the Oder more and more twists and turns emerged as a result of sediment deposition in the bends of the river, which sometimes disconnected in the form of lakes, canals and wetlands adjacent to the river. Since the mid-nineteenth century the river was regulated and the edges have been developed. After 1945, the river began to function as the German-Polish border. After the opening of the borders in 2008 the Lower Oder International Park was created from the merger of the German Landscape Park and the National Park with an area of over 117 ha. In the park live many unique species of animals, plants and fish that are protected in Europe and in the world (white-tailed eagle, water lily, otter).

Figure 2: Szczecin port in the evening (photo made by author 2011)

The largest valley city is Szczecin, in which more than 60% of the city is covered by green areas and is biologically active. Odra River Delta, Lake Dabie and Western Odra


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through the center of the city are covered by the blue-green waters and port infrastructure, islands, green and shipyards, factories and manufacturing companies (Figure 2). The Oder River Delta is known mainly by employees of ports, factories and shipyards, anglers, sailors and user’s allotment gardens. For the remaining residents, these areas are completely unknown and see them while frequently passing the main road or rail from one side of the delta to the other.

The archaeological findings like a harpoon or a hoe from a deer’s antler found in Regalica show history of the development sites dating back to the Mesolithic water Szczecin (5000 BC)2. For many centuries on the banks of the Oder River on the Castle hill a village existed of later Slavic ports and piers on the banks of the river. April 3, 1243, Duke Barnim I the Good gave the city rights, and consequently rights to fish and sail both on the river Oder, Regalica and Lake Dabie. The town's development accelerated accession to the Hanseatic League in 1278 as the "capital of the Fish" and the acquisition of port land near Dragør and Falsterboo opening the possibility of free trade in Skåne (now lands Danish and Swedish). At the same time German colonists built the marina Havening near the Long Bridge, which expanded over time and merged with the Slavic haven Kessin (borough area) (Figure 3).

Figure 3: Szczecin with Havening (22, 3, 7) and Kessin (5, 6, 7, 8) in 1237

The gift of Prince Otto I was important for the city in waters adjacent to the city between the Święta (Swante), Ustowo, Regalica (Reglitz), and Międzyodrze between Podjuchy and Dąbie Lake3. The city was the owner of the port and fishing areas and shipping routes until April 1, 1923, when they received numerous privileges and imposed obligations related to the patency of the fairway and port facilities for port charges.

The city donated by Otto began to grow rapidly. The first to began developing was the port functions on the Łasztownia Island (1945 Lastadie) lying in the vicinity of the town on the opposite bank of the river. At the same time the Long Bridge was built (Lange Brücke) and Stone Causeway (Gross Stein Damm) leading to the town of Dąbie (city rights 1249). In the fourteenth - sixteenth century warehouses, storehouses, transport and slaughterhouse, workers houses, the church of St. Gertrude and pedestrian Kłodny Bridge and port cranes at the Long Bridge were built on the island. Trees growing on the island were cut down at that time on material for building ships and so far on the island only a few trees planted along major transportation routes grow. In the seventeenth century, the city was conquered by the Swedes, who marked their presence with the building of fortifications, partly in the earlier walls of the city and the Łasztownia Island and Grodzka Island resulting from the Fette Ort Island. In the years 1630 to 1639, based on fortifications built out of stones and rubble, they piled embankments and erected a wooden palisade between Goat and Parnica Gates.


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Figure 4: Natural and artificial waters in Szczecin in 30ties of XX century4

Szczecin came under Prussian rule in the years 1724 to 1740, a fortress (Festung Stettin) was built under the supervision of the Dutch engineer Cornelius Gerhard van Wallrawe. Earthworks fortress coincided with the fortifications built by the Swedes along the modern Street of Gdansk and Boulevard Street of Władysław IV and the southern part of Grodzka Island. Sheltered city walls enriched with trade and colonial goods were gradually expanded. Despite the wealth of the city it was necessary every year to improve the trail and repair bridges and Stone Causeway which were damaged due to flooding. In 1873 it was decided to liquidate the fortress, which enabled the growth of the city, in the place of Earthen Embankment the streets Wałowa (Wallstrasse) and Parnicka (Parnitzstrasse) were created. At the same time Łasztownia was expanded by covering the arm of the Oder and the


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connection of the island of Ostrow Mieleński. In 1894 he began to build a free port (over 60ha including 37.5 hectares of land and 22.5 ha of water) of quay's basin and flushing channel ("Spuell-Channel" height 1.6 and width 1.2 m) from the Parnica (980m long and 100m wide) and turntable (mean 200m).

Figure 5: Main Gate to Free Port in Łasztownia (photo made by author 2014)

Today, the "Land of the former duty free port on Łasztownia" is in register of monuments (number A-904 no. decision PSOZ/Sz-n/5300/68/91 dated 04.29.1991) (Fig. 5).

Figure 6: View of a floating dock built in 1880 (photo made by author 2014)

In 1931 the drainage ditch was expanded and extended by creating a new Grabowski Channel (Grabower Graben) (length 450 m, width 90 m and depth of about 10 m) connecting turntables at the Eagle Isthmus and the Canal of Dębica. Ostrow Grabowski (1945 German Grabower Werder and 1949 Island Green) of the area 175ha is also formed by the division of the Fette Ort Island5. A fragment of the Duńczyca was buried to create now operating two docks (Figure 7). The world's oldest repair dock built in 1880 is moored here at the length of 58 m (Figure 6). In the northern part of the island allotment gardens surrounded by wild beaches and destroyed bridges are found, all of which offer a view of the neighboring islands and estuary to Lake Dabie. The southern part serves as an industrial (sewage treatment plant, waste incineration plant, manufacturing and silting fields). Before 1945 the Duńczyca assumed here Waldowshof watering place (owned by Clare Goetzke) and a sport swimming club Waspo Stettin. The local Plans are being considered for the location of new quays for passenger cruise ships and cruise liners. Also planned are causeways across the river Duńczyca with a duct connecting Ostrow Grabowski and Mieleński. In the interwar period many buildings and bridges were destroyed, which were rebuilt after the war in a


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different form. Bridge of Żmogus is replaced with a dual Bridge of Port on Parnica, and Kłodny Bridge with the Castle Route acts as a highway between the banks of the Oder River delta over the port area (Figure 4).

After the elimination of the nineteenth century fortifications, the canal had been dug out that separates part of Fette Ort forming Grodzka Island. Along the western shore of the island, opposite the Ramparts the Brave local government set dolphins parking for boats. At the same time many channels were dug out thus creating new islands, most of which are still covered with vegetation or function as industry and port. After 1945, the Grodzka Island has been earmarked for allotment gardens. In 2011 a competition to design the sailing marina was held, which is expected to attract international sailing community to the city. The project proved to be more difficult and more complicated, due to the need to increase the land height, building quays and the process of subsidence of the island. In the development plans of the northern part of the Island is a place for an opera building with a view of the harbor and the Gryfia, where you can still admire the remains of the shipyard for light wooden boats and submarines. The adjacent Mieleński Channel (length 5.5 km and depth 10m) was serving as a parking space for submarines. Between Lake Dąbie and a channel is Great Kępa Island, where for many years Mieleńska Beach communicated with the city center by ships.

Figure 7: Waterway Szczecin – Świnoujście twenties XX century

Gryfia Island is an area of the repair yard visible from many islands, which was founded January 28, 1903 as the German Oderwerke Shipyard. In the same place there was a small island Tirpitz as the seat for Iceboats Pomeranian Club, Rowing Club and Allemania


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Sea Junior Club. During the development of islet combined with the fretboard, the Brodowski Ditch separating the Upper Ship Isle (neck position) from the Lower Ship Island expanded; the waterfront water was strengthened and deepened, resulting in an internal repair pool. The shipyard built and repaired ships and submarines which were submitted (about 290 units in the 4 or 5 submarine-type VIIC). The island has a number of office buildings and warehouses, located at the shelters and bunkers against air raids and shipbuilding equipment (Figure 8).

Figure 8: A view towards the island Gryfia from the city center and building periscope from Ostrow Grabowski (photo made by author 2014)

On the Internet you can find a story about adventurers, who while diving at the island of Gryfia found the entrance to the underwater dock with barracks for the builders and crew, which has anti-submarine-up field. The most valuable buildings are: the office building with clock ticking time across the yard and hall of battery with a periscope tower used to calibrate submarine periscopes. This charged batteries for electric submarines motors used during immersion that during ascent flowed from the combustion engine. After the war, Repair Shipyard Gryfia (over 41ha) took the island along with Ostrow Brodowski and Quay Volcano. The island plans to build a factory that produces foundations for offshore wind, which actually threatens the very existence of historic buildings. It was only last year after reporting a desire to demolish these buildings to make room for new investment and buildings, have they been entered in the register of monuments. With this entry, there is a chance that the interesting buildings, which are testimony to the traditions and history of military Szczecin, that survive for future generations and will enrich the architecture of the Oder River Delta. Currently, in the northern part of the island halls and dug piles were demolished for the foundation of new factory facilities. The pontoon bridge was built to be replaced by steel structure. The island will be built at the height of structures from 65 to 76 m and weighing 700 - 900 tons. For this purpose a special economic zone is created and it was decided to bury power lines running above the fairway. Adjacent to the factory rep air dock no. 5 to is to be preserved.


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The first railway line was built in the Aug. 15, 1843 led to Berlin, and then in 1845 it was decided to merge the city and port on the eastern shore of Dąbie. Due to the large differences in land, train to cross to the right bank had to back down to 100-meter tunnel, and after moving the crossover drove through the Swallow Island, Kepa Parnicka Bridge, over Parnica, Isle of Puck, a bridge over Regalica to the station in Dąbie. Currently, the railway line was built by the Port Central Station, and the remains of the historic route and iron bridge leading to the Swallow Island, industrial buildings forming Szczecin Venice included into the historical structure of the city (tram depot team. SCP registry no. 1137 decision no. cl.3- 5340/117/90 07/20/1990). A working railway crossing over the Regalica with span weighing 163 tons lifted up to let the larger ships pass by. It is a German design based on U.S. Patent registry no. DZ-4140/47/O/K/2008/2009 decision no. 545 dated 07.12.2009). In 1868, the station opened a cargo port on the Isle of Central Puck, allowing transshipment of goods at the port. In 1877 the next station on the left Quay of Wrocław, Parnica, and tracks leading further to the east quay on Duńczyca were opened.

At the end of the war the Germans began to build concrete reinforced ships with a metal mesh because of lack of steel6. Tanker "Ulrich Finsterwalder" known as "Betonowiec" was built in 1941 in the yard Warszów - Kazimierzowo (Klotzwert). In 1949, during trial to launch, the ship began to take on water, so it was towed to Lake Dabie and deposited on the bottom. The ship is frequented by birds, boaters and lovers of music of Chopin presenting a concert on board of this ship for sailors and local audiences on cruise ships (Figure 9).

Figure 9: The concert of Chopin music on the deck of “Betonowiec” for sailors (photo made by autor 2010)

3. Analysis of water - island area of Szczecin

3.1. Hydrometeorological processes

Location of a large lake affects the relaxation of the local climate, which makes the winters milder, rainier and colder. Land surrounding waters are mainly deposits plotted by the river, and wetlands that have been partially drained or are home to protected plants and animals (Figure 10). The Odra River in its lower reaches slows down and creates bends in the river, leaving deposits with the headwaters of deposits on the inner banks of these bends. In time this results in an extensive system of meanders, which contributed to the Międzyodrze and separation of the rivers in the two troughs. One of the troughs flows into Dąbie Lake, and the water current flows back into the river through the height Inski Nurt in the northern part of the lake. Thanks to the phenomenon of water in the lake is subject to an ongoing exchange, which prevents the appearance of anaerobic organisms in polluted waters. The lake owes the high water quality and natural sites of the islands, due to the low depth of the lake fairways must be regularly deepened to allow efficient communication for deeper yachts, passenger ships and vessels calling at the port. On the occasion of deepening happens to bring out the traces of Slavic tribes in the area, but there is no accurate inventory of the bottom in this respect. In the area of the Szczecin River, inland water enters the sea waters, which is associated with surge and the lagoon under the influence of the northern and north-westerly winds to the Odra River and Dąbie Lake. Backflow current of water cause large differences in the level of the water and are felt up to


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150 km from the sea. Elevated water levels threaten to flood hazard, to navigation by reducing the maneuverability of the vessel, to vertical clearances under bridges or to navigation range aids. The wave on Dąbie Lake due to the size of the body of water, currents and winds can reach 1,4m height and 13m length and be a threat only for small boats, sailboats and kayaks. The currents in the river outside the periods after the spring runoff thaw have minimal speed and very little impact on navigation and the development of adjacent areas.

3.2. Spatial analysis

Delta of Oder in Szczecin is mainly used by fishermen, boaters and anglers. The fishing boats regularly take fish apart from the network at fixed locations on the Dąbie beyond navigation routes7 (Figure 11). Sailors often sail in trainings and regattas conducted by clubs AZS, Pogoń, Sailing Centre, and Centre for Marine Scouts, Good Marina. The clubs also organize kite trainings. Large sailing ballasts and dinghies participate in regattas organized regularly every week throughout the sailing season from March to October (e.g. Blue Ribbon Dąbie Lake Regatta, Women's Regatta for Bouquet of Dąbie Lake, Epinares Trophy) where the route is always set and dependent on the depth body of water, the direction and strength of the wind, the obstacles on the route. Anglers spend time on their boats or pontoons and prepared positions on platforms at the edge (Regalica). Additionally within the city and Międzyodrze area are several kayak rentals (Dziewoklicz PTTK on south of the city), where people can borrow and sail around all the islands, explore the creeks and canals wildlife and historical heritage of port areas, bridges, wrecks and shipyards.

Figure 10: Hypsometric Map of Szczecin with the city borders


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Students may belong to the Maritime League Clubs located in schools or join the international regattas on yachts issued by the sailing centers. From the main city quay tourists can go on a cruise for a tour along main waterways around the port areas, Dąbie Lake and Święta to "Betonowiec". On the islands there are several customary moorings for yachts, which are successively adapted to the official yachting visit sites. Water areas have enormous potential for the creation of housing estates on the water, but due to lack of infrastructure and lack of interest this kind of investments is not executed. The islands adjacent to the center function as family gardens or are transformed from the shipyard function for industrial functions e.g. factory constructing foundations for wind turbines. Szczecin will continue to be served as a transit town in the fairway from Berlin through the channel and Niederfinow ship lift to Szczecin and the Baltic Sea. From time to time water also acts as a cultural function for concert bands, choirs and soloists in marinas (AZS) or on the wreck "Betonowiec". The buildings of marinas (Marina Marco) are used for weddings and other private events and meetings.

Figure 11: Removing fish from the nets (photo made by author 2013)

3.3. Ecological analysis

A pre-war naturalist Paul Robień is a local celebrity, who lived on the island of Mienie and attended the bird reserve of Lake Dąbie. Since then, the uninhabited islands bristles are very attractive in terms of nature and the land of islands and waters constitute an enclave for lovers of the environment. The islands are inhabited by wild animals and birds, overgrown unique in Europe plants. These areas are covered by the area of conservation (Dolna Odra PLH320037 area 295.36 km2) and Important Bird Areas (Lower Oder Valley PLB320003 area 616.48 km2) of the Natura 2000 sites. The refuge habitat includes Międzyodrze of the Oder and Regalica up to Szczecin. In this area there are 17 habitats including 5 priorities represented by 450 species of plants (very characteristic floating fern) (Figure 13) and 110 plant communities. The refuge is characterized by outstanding landscape qualities. Influences of the deterioration of habitats have regulatory work, expansion of the waterway Szczecin - Schwedt - channel Hochenzaten and poaching activities.

The main difficulty is the lack of ability to reconcile the requirements of habitat conservation with the economic needs of the city, as can be seen in the lack of continuity preserved ecological corridor along the river delta, which hinders the movement of animals and plants from one protected area to another. Also a significant impact comes from water pollution (factories, municipal sewage), stalling rivers blocking fish migration, release into the wild of alien species disturbing the balance of the ecosystem, climate warming and rising groundwater levels. Other factors include the drainage of wetlands, logging old growth forest habitat for white-tailed eagle, removal of dead and diseased trees, over-exploitation reservoirs and river regulation. Implementations of connectors between adjacent natural refuges in the form of green bridges or tunnels allow collision-free movement of both animals and humans efficient communication.


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Refuge on islands is one of the most important places in Poland for breeding white-tailed eagle, red kite and black, black and white-fronted terns and kingfishers. The breeding season can be found bittern, little bittern, crane, and the aquatic warbler. In many places, the birds are scared off and the nests destroyed by tourists, hunters and poachers. The real threats to birds are wind farms, which often are placed on the migration routes of birds. Slots of the largest birds -the bald eagle- on the islands are covered by the protection zone 200m and during the breeding season in March - April 500m from the nest. Kite is a very rare species in Poland (Westpomeranian around 300 pairs, in Poland near 700 pairs); the protection zone covers 100m and 500m during the breeding season.

Figure 13: Floating fern and Water Lilly protected by Natura 2000 (photo by author 2012)

They spend winter in Germany and France. Black kite has similar protection zone while on wintering areas in selected central and southern Africa. Parasol mushrooms choose the crown of 80 year old trees as a habitat.

Figure 14: Location of Dolna Odra refuge8


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Black Terns are a rare species that nest on the sheepskin coats writhe vegetation, wintering off the west coast of Africa and the Black Sea and the Caspian Sea. Kingfisher is a species associated with water, digging burrows in the steep banks and roots of fallen trees. They are locally rather numerous species, but in Poland it occurs quite rare.

Natura 2000 sites must be included in planning documents: the study of conditions and directions of spatial management in the development strategy of the municipality and local spatial development plan of the municipality9 (Figure 14). The areas offer the possibility of investment planning, as the more strictly defined species and habitats are protected, but only prohibit the introduction of elements having a negative impact on the habitats of plants and animals. For this purpose, an inventory of habitats, including white-tailed eagle and crane, were made. A network of refuges is an opportunity for the development of eco-tourism in the city and is one of the priorities in the development of sustainable tourism in the European Union. The city can offer the observation of animals and birds, photography of nature, hiking, cycling, canoeing, water sports such as sailing, windsurfing, kite surfing, fishing, and forms of school education as green schools and environmental workshops. The development of tourism and protection of natural values must be developed on the basis of spatial planning vision. It is necessary to regulate tourist traffic to allow contact with nature, which is shaped public awareness and the protection of natural heritage.

3.4. Economic analysis

Financing of planning, protection, monitoring and education comes from the state budget and EU funds under the operational programs providing activities in the field of active protection of habitats and species diversity. Necessary protection measures may be either legal, administrative and result from agreements in order to achieve a compromise between good environment and local requirements of socio-economic development. Natural areas contribute significantly to the health and growth of property values in the neighborhood of natural areas. Furthermore they create places visited by students and scientists and naturalists, and have a significant impact on the growth successes of Polish athletes in water sports. The organization of Szczecin’s “The Tall Ships Races” 2007 and 2013 and Match Racing 2014 leads to the city becoming more and more recognizable in the sports arena as a sensational place for water sports and a good mix of inland and sea water.

Figure 15: Waterways and fishing nets on Dąbie Lake

Figure 16: The marking of the fairway at the junction of inland waters and marine waters

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3.5. Phenomenon of political, legal and administrative

The Odra River in Szczecin Regional Board (RZWG) within 180km section (from 542.4 to 704.1 km from the source) is a border river between the Polish Republic and the Federal Republic of Germany, and only at the height of Gryfino on Międzyodrze a limit is set right on the area of land skipping Szczecin. It is essential to continue cooperation between the Regional Board and the Directorate of Water Supply and shipping company in Magdeburg, East by the Eberswalde due to various administrative measures and actions aimed river regulation and to prevent the effects of flooding11.

Figure 17: Identification of the fairway at the junction of inland waters and marine waters 12

Szczecin is also the town where the waters of the sea and inland waters adjacent to each other within a single node watermark (Figure 17). Marine waters are subject to the Marine Office while inland waters under RZWG Szczecin. Marine and inland waterways have different signs, the main difference lies in the color left and right route navigable (Figure 15, 16). The inland trail is oriented relatively to the origin, while the waters of the sea route are oriented relatively to the estuary. Marking the right side is the red sea lane, and the left side the green.

The biggest hurdle is in the fairway bridges (Figure 18): rail drawbridge span of rotary 35.59 kilometers west of the Oder gauge 3.79, Road "Long" bridge in the Odra 35.79 km west gauge 3.78 m, Railway bascule drawbridge span of the 733.6 km Regalica gauge 2.96 m.

On the track lacks the typical yachting marinas for leisure and accommodation and the absence of a ban, there is possible to stop at the former border wharves and customs clearance, or swim towards the Dąbie Small Lake to one of yachting marinas. On Lake Dabie nets are spread to the length of 900m. The most common type are fake nets partition from water surface to the bottom labeled on the ends the white-and-red diamonds, which must pass the white side of the character. Playing sports such as fishing require a permit, just as sailing yachts of more than 7m length.


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Figure 18: The bridge over Regalica with movable element (photo by author 2010)13

4. Summary

Water Areas of Szczecin are characterized by unique natural and historical heritage, which needs constant protection, development, education and promotion among tourists, residents and students. The islands on the one hand are rich in the history of a duty free port on Łasztownia, Gryfia shipyard of U-boats, iron and lift bridges, industrial Venice and polders south in Międzyodrze and "Betonowiec" in the north of Dąbie Lake. On the other hand, the neighboring islands offer an extremely unique nature, where you can get lost for hours hunting with the camera on a fantastic picture of white-tailed fly.

Figure 18: Historic free port on Łasztownia during a regatta The tall ships Races 200714

In the third part, the same water attracts sailing enthusiasts and professionals who spend their weekends on the water taking part in the regatta, camped, and listening to chamber or official music concerts. In addition, the waters are naturally shaped to prevent the risk of a flood, which further increases their value to the local community. The only thing missing is a full service for city residents and visitors, which would allow the use of all the attractions that the city is able to offer. The canoes can be rented only in one place in the south of the city


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however there is no official company to charter yachts to visitors, no possibility of an organized fishing tours and the technical monuments know only enthusiasts. The great historical heritage is underestimated, forgotten and slowly being destroyed, instead of being one of the main attractions of the city, whose history is linked from the beginning with the port and fishing waters. City condition in economic terms is far from similar cities in Poland, while having the most attractive tourist sites, historical and natural water of all the cities in Poland or even in Europe. Temporary events are not enough to give the city an image of the water garden and require continuous information, infrastructure, educational and charter and hotel facilities, which will provide many variants for incoming tourists to spend their free time at any season and weather (Figure 18).

5. Possibilities for the development of aquatic areas

When considering the development of island areas and waters of Szczecin, it is worth to take an action to improve and protect the existing values of these areas:

• Protection of biodiversity and protection from the development of invasive species of plants and animals such as mink. Determination of hiking trails at a safe distance from the habitat and bird protection areas, hindering the ability to leave the route. The connection of separated ecological corridors between Międzyodrze and Dąbie Lake need:

• Reduction of the level of pollution in the river Oder from industrial plants as Police Chemical Plant and Dolna Odra and Pomorzany power plants, by filtering water and wastewater treatment.

• Protection of the lowest-lying areas in the Dąbie, Stołczyn and Skolwin against the risk of flooding during surges combined with high levels of water in the river by levees or dump piling separating floodplains from buildings.

• Protection of the historical heritage of the islands by including them in the registers of monuments, maintenance, revitalization and location of new public functions, in particular buildings on the island of Gryfia, the floating dock and “Betonowiec” wreck.

Figure 19: Shafts of the Brave, place the most important celebration (photo made by author 1014)

• The development, education and infrastructure development of new yacht parking spaces and a marina on the water route Berlin - Szczecin - Baltic Sea along the Oder River and Regalica enabling the launch of small boats, mooring and access to sanitation, electricity, water and municipal sewage from boats. The construction of corners on the lake with the possibility of burning bonfires, camping and access to electricity, water, sewage and


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access to credit information on natural and historic attractions situated in the vicinity of the stop.

• Development of the water sports through greater access to the waters, the diversity and quality of charter vessels, diversity and availability of tourist offer for residents and visitors (Figure 19).

The great opportunity of the city is to expose and develop its image with a maritime tradition and historic heritage both tangible and intangible, revitalization of historic buildings and gardens, emphasizing water and wild islands on maintaining respect and admiration for the natural heritage in mind, the development for the consciousness of new generations on the tradition and heritage that will be received in the fall (Figure 20).

Figure 20: Eagle Isthmus between the Gryfia Island and Dąbie Lake (photo made by author)

References:

Czajewski, J., 1991, Locja śródlądowa i morska, Wydawnictwa Komunikacji i Łączności, Warszawa, ISBN 83-206-0920-8

Dziedziula, B., (red.) 1975, Port Szczeciński. Dzieje i rozwój do 1970, Państwowe Wydawnictwo Naukowe, Poznań – Warszawa

Bajić Brković, M., 2009, Perspektywy Szczecińskiego Obszaru Metropolitarnego w kontekście wyznaczników rozwoju funkcji metropolitarnych, infrastruktury komunikacyjnej oraz trans granicznego charakteru regionu, ISOCARP, Szczecin, ISBN-978-94-90354-05-3

Mechło, W., 2009, Historie prawdziwe i magiczne. Mity, Legendy, Zdarzenia, Oficyna InPlus, Szczecin, ISBN 978-83-89402-72-1

Kilarski, Z., 2009, Szlak wodny Berlin – Szczecin – Bałtyk Przewodnik dla żeglarzy i turystów wodnych, Drukarnia Artdeco Ewa Jachim, Szczecin

Kotla, R., 2008, Rozwój techniczny i przestrzenny zespołu portowego Szczecin-Świnoujście na tle stosunków handlowych – Monografia, Wydawnictwo Kreos, Szczecin

Kotla, R., 2010, Wczoraj i dziś portów w Szczecinie i Świnoujściu, Soft Vision sp. z o.o., Szczecin

Kotla, R., 2007, Tu gdzie wyrośnie las masztów... in: Magazyn Portowy nr 8/2007 Kraśnicki, A., Koralewski, G., Kozaczuk, A., 2010, Szczecin, Międzyodrze, Jez. Dąbie –

miejski przewodnik kajakowy, Walkowska Wydawnictwo, Szczecin, ISBN 978-83-61805-13-7

Piesik, J., 1993, Architektura estuarium Odry, Prace Naukowe Politechniki Szczecińskiej nr 502, Instytut Architektury i Planowania Przestrzennego nr 38, Szczecin, Wydawnictwo Uczelniane Politechniki Szczecińskiej, ISSN 0208-7065

Ziarnek, K., Piątkowska, D., (red.), 2010, Wdrażanie Europejskiej Sieci Ekologicznej Natura 2000 na przykładzie Województwa Zachodniopomorskiego, Regionalna Dyrekcja Ochrony Środowiska w Szczecinie, Biuro Konserwacji Przyrody w Szczecinie.

1 Mechło, W., 2009, Historie prawdziwe i magiczne. Mity, Legendy, Zdarzenia, Oficyna InPlus, ISBN

978-83-89402-72-1 2 Kotla, R., 2008, Rozwój techniczny i przestrzenny zespołu portowego Szczecin-Świnoujście na tle

stosunków handlowych – Monografia, Wydawnictwo Kreos, Szczecin 3 Kotla, R., 2010, Wczoraj i dziś portów w Szczecinie i Świnoujściu, Soft Vision sp. z o.o., Szczecin

http://pl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ryszard_Kotla

http://www.magazynportowy.pl/polski/p-r-m-a-119/magazyn_portowy_nr_8_2007.htm


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4 Dziedziula, B., (red.)1975, Port Szczeciński. Dzieje i rozwój do 1970, Państwowe Wydawnictwo

Naukowe, Poznań - Warszawa 5 Kotla, Ryszard Tu gdzie wyrośnie las masztów... w: Magazyn Portowy nr 8/2007

6 Kraśnicki, A., Koralewski, G., Kozaczuk, A., 2010, Szczecin, Międzyodrze, jez. Dąbie – miejski

przewodnik kajakowy, Walkowska Wydawnictwo, Szczecin, ISBN 978-83-61805-13-7 7 Piesik, J., 1993, Architektura estuarium Odry, Prace Naukowe Politechniki Szczecińskiej nr 502,

Instytut Architektury i Planowania Przestrzennego nr 38, Szczecin, Wydawnictwo Uczelniane Politechniki Szczecińskiej, ISSN 0208-7065 8 Ziarnek, K., Piątkowska, D., (red.), 2010, Wdrażanie Europejskiej Sieci Ekologicznej Natura 2000 na

przykładzie Województwa Zachodniopomorskiego, Regionalna Dyrekcja Ochrony Środowiska w Szczecinie, Biuro Konserwacji Przyrody w Szczecinie 9 Ziarnek, K., Piątkowska, D., (red.), 2010,

10 Kilarski, Z., Szlak wodny Berlin – Szczecin – Bałtyk Przewodnik dla żeglarzy i turystów wodnych,

2009, Drukarnia Artdeco Ewa Jachim, Szczecin 11

Regionalny Zarząd Gospodarki Wodami (RZGW) Szczecin, http://www.rzgw.szczecin.pl/ogolna-

charakterystyka, 07.06.2014 12

Kilarski, Z., Szlak wodny Berlin – Szczecin – Bałtyk Przewodnik dla żeglarzy i turystów wodnych,

2009, Drukarnia Artdeco Ewa Jachim, Szczecin 13

Kraśnicki, A., Koralewski, G., Kozaczuk, A., 2010, 14

Kotla, R., 2010,

http://pl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ryszard_Kotla

http://www.magazynportowy.pl/polski/p-r-m-a-119/magazyn_portowy_nr_8_2007.htm

mysteries of szczecin's historic islands · 2.1. geology of pobrzeże of szczecin there is a...

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