Wiślina: 1792 Bell Tower and the Motława

Wiślina can be explored through two distinct themes: a wooden structure with a long history and the Motława, with its water and landscape routes. The wooden bell tower “Brama do Raju” dates from 1792 and recalls the Olęder settlement in the area. A municipal kayaking route on the Motława also passes through Wiślina. If you are interested in local history, the cemetery gate offers a tangible point of reference; those who prefer to focus on river landscapes and routes will find these themes in the village as well.

A cemetery gate with a history

Wiślina is home to a wooden bell tower dating from 1792. It is also the cemetery gate known as “Brama do Raju”; the gate and tower are two names for the same structure. The gate led to a Mennonite cemetery, which is now a parish cemetery. The cemetery where the bell tower stands was once associated with a Gothic church that no longer survives. Several aspects of the village’s history come together at this site: its former connection to the church, the Mennonite cemetery, and the memory of the Olęder settlement in the area.

Well-preserved carved inscriptions can be seen on the gate’s four supporting posts. They include a dedication by the village head of Dziewięć Włók, references to the church caretakers, and the name of the builder, Jakub Jentzen, along with the date 1792. The inscriptions link details about the structure’s dedication and care to a specific name and year. The history is conveyed not only by the bell tower’s age, but also by the people and responsibilities recorded on its posts. For a trip focused on architectural and local history, this single structure is a striking highlight.

The Motława and the Żuławy landscape

A municipal kayaking route on the Motława passes through Wiślina. The Motława kayaking route is considered easy because of its slow current and can be travelled in either direction. The current, difficulty level, and direction of travel give you concrete points of reference for assessing this water route. It runs through the flat, agricultural areas of Żuławy Gdańskie, where the river and landscape together shape the character of the route.

The Mennonite Route also runs near the river: from its junction in Wiślina, it follows the Motława to Bystra and Lędowo in the municipality of Pruszcz Gdański, then continues into the neighbouring municipality of Cedry Wielkie. The route to Bystra and Lędowo is considered peaceful and scenic. Alongside the kayaking route, this brings other named places and a longer stretch along the Motława into focus. Another route also leads from Pruszcz Gdański via Rokitnica to Wiślina.

Routes and events

The Wojewódzki Bieg Żuławski is a recurring sporting event held on the Wiślina–Lędowo route. Its name adds an event-related dimension to the route information, linking Wiślina and Lędowo. The water route, Mennonite Route, and running event can therefore be considered as different themes for planning a trip: they represent different activities and each draw attention to different parts of the surrounding area.

Further afield in the region is the recommended Motława tour from Gdańsk to Wróblewo. It is 15 kilometres one way, or 30 kilometres for a round trip. This tour offers another way to explore the Motława region, while the municipal kayaking route explicitly passes through Wiślina. When choosing a destination, you can distinguish between the historic structure in the village, routes through the Żuławy landscape, and a broader regional touring theme.

Discover more destinations: Straszyn, Ząbrsko Górne, Elganowo, Postołowo, Buszkowy Górne, Łęgowo, Miłowo, Gdańsk

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