The Wonderful Wisla

1 min read    39 comments

The longest river in Poland, the Vistula (Wisla) winds its way from the Beskidy mountains of southern Poland, through Krakow and Warsaw and up the the bay in Gdansk to the Baltic Sea. At 1,047 kilometers (678 miles) long and draining an area of 194,424 km (75,067 sq. miles), no wonder the Vistula has become the stuff of Polish legend.


While the written history of the Vistula is sketchy at best, speculative at worst, we do know that the origin of the river's name is probably Indo-European, though its current moniker is the Polonized version. In past times, the Vistula used to be connected to the Dnieper River, and through it to the Black Sea, where it was part of the Amber Road, an ancient river trade route from the Black Sea to the Baltic.

Today, it's part of the landscape of Poland's most important cities, and while it used to be a point of recreation for Poles young and old, we wouldn't recommend dipping even your toes in it today - the communist era has rendered it as dirty as the Hudson or Thames unfortunately. However, if you really want to explore Poland's mighty river up close, why not take a Vistula cruise, or check out the Vistula River Museum in Gdansk?

Comments

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Jacob
Poland

I loved reading the other facts from this site about Vistula/Wisła and I am also Polish!

Reply Jun 15th, 2021
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Reply Apr 18th, 2018
Lucia Perry
United States

My ancestor, Herman Levinson, was born, 1823, according to family records, in "Slewzewo on the Vistula." I can't find this town. Was it destroyed? Is the spelling so off? Anyone know what was happening there at the time? I heard he left the country at age 12 because his mom died and he didn't like his step mother.

Reply Jan 10th, 2018
Guest

I think the spelling would be Slezewo

Reply Oct 24th, 2018
Johnie
United States

I am really interested in other cultures n how they live or nationalities if i must, Well i really just like exploring for new facts n conversations too come up with. Hahaha, I enjoy just looking at the scenery and listen too the history about far places like this, Anyway Great River dudes! :)

Reply Dec 6th, 2017
sandra
Poland

hi i chose this river for my adopt a river project this has really helped but for the future type in rivers of poland revolvy.

Reply Oct 13th, 2017
Guest
Poland

dziekuje

Reply Oct 13th, 2017
Maja
United Kingdom

I am Polish, well I was born in England however my whole family is Polish and I am proud to be Polish too. I am 11 in 2017. Our homework was to do a representation about rivers I picked Wisła! Cześć uwielbiam Wisłę!!!! :)

Reply Jul 6th, 2017
Amelia
United Kingdom

I am home schooled and i have lived in England all my life. I have been doing presentations on each country in Europe. I am 11 years of age and i am going into year 6. This has really helped!

Reply Jan 19th, 2017
Eliza
United Kingdom

I am Polish, and I came to England when I was 2. Now, I am 10 and in year 5 we are doing a homework project about Rivers! I chose the River Vistula as it is an very wonderfull river. My friend, Emily, is also doing it but she is from England so that means she will find out quite alot about Poland!

Reply Apr 8th, 2015
Alice Cormier
United States

I saw the Vistula when I visited Poland in April 2011. What impressed me most was the love my tour guide had of the river. I was there a few weeks after the river flooded the fields and we had to wear boots to walk around and see the animals. Most impressive to me were the storks.

Reply Jun 1st, 2014
Aye
Myanmar

I never forget walked a long side in Vistula River. I had been visited Poland last November.That place is always memorial in my mind!

Reply Jan 11th, 2013
Brian Hill
United Kingdom

i had the great pleasure of living in poland, in modlinska.. next t this river... its a beautiful place and even was there t see the huge tide tht came in 2010.. amazin.. took the oppotunity t av a swim in it to.. (not advisable less u a good swimmer) but jus the greatest days had along side the river.. u av t visit the rural type pubs dotted along the way for best exp.. i even had the great pleasure of attendin a concert at 1 my fav drinkin places adjacent t the river.. the time are beyond words and will remain some my best liftime experiences.. i definately will be goin back t visit my many friends and enjoy times by the river...

Reply Jul 3rd, 2011
oliwia
United Kingdom

hi my name is oliwia and i chose this river for a school project, and ilove this river because was born in poland!:)

Reply Jun 9th, 2011
abram
Canada

Hi, I am 89 years old. I left warsaw, poland when I was 18 years old. Looking at the view of the wisla river reminds me of my youth. I used to swim here.

Reply Oct 27th, 2010
dima
Hong Kong

Many people can't pronounce the Polish letter' £' so they use'Vistula' instead of Wis³a.

Reply Jun 28th, 2010
Govind B Singh
India

it is purely Indian (INDO) Name "Vistula" Sanskrit name, Mritwa Vistula mean dead Vistula

Reply Aug 23rd, 2017
Xyra
United Kingdom

HI i'[m 9 years old and my friend Julia told me this river is great and she's doing it for her river project.I also think its great too

Reply Jun 8th, 2010
julia
Poland

ja mam 10 lat hi my name is julia and i chosse this river for project to the shool. ja siê urodzi³am w polsce i przyjecha³am na jersey ja mieszkam na jersey jeden rok

Reply Jun 7th, 2010
julia
Poland

ja mam 10 lat hi my name is julia and i chosse this river for project to the shool. ja siê urodzi³am w polsce i przyjecha³am na jersey ja mieszkam na jersey jeden rok

Reply Jun 7th, 2010
julia
Poland

ja mam 10 lat hi my name is julia and i chosse this river for project to the shool. ja siê urodzi³am w polsce i przyjecha³am na jersey ja mieszkam na jersey jeden rok

Reply Jun 7th, 2010
julia mazur
Poland

hi my name is julia i come from Poland ive been in england for 3 years . czesc mam na imie julia , pochodze z Polski i mieszkam w anglii od 3 lat

Reply May 10th, 2010
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Zimbabwe

yay!

Reply Mar 24th, 2010
romi
United States

i found this page rather not that ineresting.-romig.11years old

Reply Nov 28th, 2009
Alex Harris
Poland

Gziendobry, I now am living in poland next to the wisla in Krakow and it great!

Reply Nov 9th, 2009
Amin Hanifi
United Kingdom

I have travelled to Wisla during the summer and also during the winter time, i love this place, it's beautifull,clean air, nice food and drinks lovely peole.

Reply Oct 4th, 2009
Alex Harris
United Kingdom

Brill!!! Awesome!!! Great!!! 100% perfect!!!

Reply Jun 22nd, 2009
Alex Harris
United Kingdom

Amazing country! A perfect holiday destination!!!!!!!

Reply Jun 15th, 2009
ola and kinga
United Kingdom

mamy 11 lat i mieszkalismy w polsce kolo wisly!xD

Reply Jun 4th, 2009
victoria
United States

my parents were born in poland and i am 9 years old

Reply May 26th, 2009
Josie
United Kingdom

well im doing a River Project on this river,I chosse this river becuasee its got an unusaul name,Intill i looked in the atlas i didnt know that this River actually was around !! its shows how use ffull things like that are ...:D

Reply May 23rd, 2009
Alex Harris
United Kingdom

I Loved the whole experience, the air is so clean!!! I enjoyed it so much i'm going again this year! Poland's FAB!!!!!!

Reply May 18th, 2009
Alex Harris
United Kingdom

An amazing river and city!

Reply May 18th, 2009
ania
Poland

warszawa is a good place to live and the river wisla

Reply Jan 23rd, 2009
Kasha
United States

I am curious about the River: I just finished the Novel "Push Not the River"...I recommend it highly! (James Conroyd) author....one becomes connected with the history of it. My Grandparents came over (to the US) in 1890 from Poznan. We visisted Poland two yrs ago; I LOVED being there!

Reply Apr 24th, 2008
harvey t lyon
United States

my nephew and i are thinking about bicyling along the vistula this summer. any help would be much appreciated

Reply Apr 12th, 2008
karolina
United Kingdom

My grandfather built a bridge over the river wisla

Reply Mar 14th, 2008
Rodney Walton
United States

From the Old Town there are steps down to the river. You can take a nice walk along the concrete path North to the Citadel. "Watch out for the speeding guys on bicycles". The Citadel is a Russian fort built by Tsar Nicolas I to quell the Polish rebellion of 1830. Most of it is still a miltary base but there is a very good museum about the Polish quest for freedom from Russia from then thru the Cold War. Great visit for history buffs!

Reply Sep 10th, 2007
olga
United States

plynie wisla plynie po polskiej krainie po polskiej krainie...hej

Reply Apr 10th, 2007