Every design for Elbląg

Elbląg lies along the river that gave it its name, on the eastern edge of the Żuławy lowland, where the land drops so low that it is the lowest-lying city in Poland. Upstream the river reaches Lake Drużno; downstream it opens into Elbląg Bay, an arm of the Vistula Lagoon. The Teutonic Knights founded a citadel here in 1237, and the town that grew around it joined the Hanseatic League, came to Poland in 1454 and became one of the country's chief ports, a busy hub for English–Polish trade until 1772.

That position on the water is the key to its identity. When its trading role faded, the 19th century brought industry and the Elbląg Canal, now one of the Seven Wonders of Poland and a Historic Monument of Poland. Its museums include the Muzeum Archeologiczno-Historyczne. The Old Town was almost completely destroyed in the war, and rebuilding in the old style only began around 2000, on the same foundations and with old bricks.

Stand by the Brama Targowa, the Market Gate from 1309, and look along the rebuilt lanes: new houses on medieval footprints, with the Zamek krzyżacki w Elblągu still part of the picture.