Śluza V Czarna Droga
Lock V Czarna Droga is a chamber lock made of brick with wooden gates that regulated water levels on the old canal section and allowed boats to navigate different water heights. The structure spans about 7.4 meters in length and 2.75 meters in width, with a heavy gate system and 19th-century mechanical components that operated the lock.
The lock was built between 1773 and 1774 as part of the Bydgoszcz Canal system connecting the Vistula to the Oder River. Over the course of the 19th century, it was modified and updated to accommodate larger vessels weighing up to 200 tons.
The lock was once surrounded by restaurants and cafes where people gathered to watch boats pass through and enjoy the waterside atmosphere. These establishments reflect how the canal shaped the social life of the city and drew visitors seeking leisure by the water.
The lock sits along Czarna Droga in Bydgoszcz and is accessible via a pedestrian path with a small bridge that spans the canal. The area is open to visitors and requires no special permissions, though nearby amenities are limited, making it best to visit during pleasant weather for a leisurely walk.
The lock earned its number V designation because it was the fifth in a series of multiple locks along the canal that formed the region's entire water system. Though it ceased operation in 1915, it remains one of the few surviving examples of this historical engineering in the city.
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