Śniardwy

Lake Śniardwy covers an area of 113.4 square kilometers with a maximum depth of 23.4 meters and features numerous shallow areas filled with unmarked boulders beneath the surface.

This glacial lake formed during the last ice age and served as a site for pagan worship in prehistoric times before becoming a major destination for fishing and tourism over the centuries.

Local folklore tells of a petrified maiden imprisoned by the Prussian water god Perkunos, who can only be freed by a young man who picks a fern flower on Midsummer Night and offers it to her.

Visitors can reach the lake from nearby towns like Mikołajki and Ruciane-Nida, which offer several ports, camping grounds, and recreational centers with equipment rental services for water activities.

In 2007, a weather phenomenon known as a white squall with winds reaching 130 kilometers per hour caused numerous boats to capsize and resulted in twelve fatalities on the lake.

Location: Mrągowo County

Elevation above the sea: 116 m

GPS coordinates: 53.75000,21.71667

Latest update: November 26, 2025 19:34