Bydgoszcz Canal - History and Role

Explore the stories of the waterway, which merged with the Vistula and Oder Rivers

By Museum of the Bydgoszcz Canal

Tomasz Izajasz - curator of the Bydgoszcz Canal Museum

Royal-Prussian School of Artistic Craft (1915) by UnknownMuseum of the Bydgoszcz Canal

Bydgoszcz Canal

The Bydgoszcz Canal was the unique hydrotechnical monument. This magnificent monument of genius linked the tributaries of the Oder and the Vistula. The idea of linking waterways of the East and the West was exceptional.

The Bydgoszcz Canal over centuries influenced the economic development of Bydgoszcz, thanks to the new waterway the City on the Brda river in the 19th century became the important economic centre.

Franz von Balthasar Schönberg Brenkenhoff (1882) by Emil KrellMuseum of the Bydgoszcz Canal

The authorship of the Bydgoszcz Canal

The authorship of the thought of construction of the Bydgoszcz Canal is the dispute of seven Greek towns about Homer. Supporters of this undertaking were among others: the king of Prussia Frederick the Great, Ewald Friedrich Hertzberg, Herman Jawein and Franz von Brenkenhoff.

Frederick II (1910) by UnknownMuseum of the Bydgoszcz Canal

The author of the idea of construction of the Bydgoszcz Canal by Prussia can be found among them. One of the first references on construction of the canal in the available correspondence of the king of Prussia dates back to 20 February 1772.

Frederick II Hohenzollern (1882) by G. FreilmannMuseum of the Bydgoszcz Canal

In order to build the awaited child of Frederick the Great, the reigning king of Prussia, the settlers were needed. 

By the order of the king on 1 March 1773 the preparations for making the vision come true started, for this purpose initially around 500 settlers were brought, they were responsible for building accommodation, distillery and breweries for workers coming from Mecklenburg, Dessau, Thuringia, Saxony and even Czech.

Frederick II on a postcard from the beginning of the 20th century (1905) by UnknownMuseum of the Bydgoszcz Canal

Frederick the Great - the constructor of waterways

He built not only the Bydgoszcz Canal but also the Finow Canal, undoubtedly one of the most remarkable rulers of enlightened absolutism, lived from 1712 to 1786

Frederick II watching the construction of the Bydgoszcz Canal (1911) by Fritz GehrkeMuseum of the Bydgoszcz Canal

According to different estimates for the works from 8 to 10 thousand of settlers were brought, every fourth of whom never came back home. The workers died of malaria, dysentery, due to very hard work conditions, namely working in water up to waist-high.

The plan of Bydgoszcz Canal (1774) by DornsteinMuseum of the Bydgoszcz Canal

In spring 1773 the builders Dornstein, Gilly and Igler started works on the dike for the canal of length 26,77 km. The works were completed by August, when the next stage started. Then, the majority of workers was sent to sawmills and to work on reduction of Noteć bends.

These works lasted to November, when workers started digging supplying canal, which provided water on the highest point of the canal. Simultaneously, workers covered banks with fascine and built locks – 9 locks made of wood on the canal and one on the Brda river.

Karte von den Provinzen Litthauen, Ost und West Preussen und Netz Distrikte… (1796/1802) by Friedrich Leopold von SchrötterMuseum of the Bydgoszcz Canal

The most significant works lasted to spring 1774, and as early as 9 June took place the first and as it later turned out the unsuccessful floating of the first transport – two barges with lime. The works were done in a hurry which affected their quality. 

The Bydgoszcz Canal required drying, because peat and soil from the bottom went up and the lock built by the construction adviser Holsche in Prądy was damaged. The work on drying and strengthening of riverbed lasted to the mid September 1774.

Areas at the III lock (1914) by UnknownMuseum of the Bydgoszcz Canal

On the Lindner’s plan dating from 1800, locks can be seen in the rebuilt brick form, therefore from 1801 the locks were made of brick. The change of places of locks with regard to previous locks can be seen on Friedrich Schroetter’s plan.

Then, the first locks in this part of Europe, made not only of sandstone but also of brick were created. In 1792 the first work on them started and the contemporary canal was in poor condition that it appeared to be impossible to supply the Prussian army. The inspector of meliorative works – Johan Philip Peterson along with new workers were brought from East Prussia.

The II lock on old Bydgoszcz Canal at the beginning of the 20th century (1908) by UnknownMuseum of the Bydgoszcz Canal

Newly created locks on the present day Bydgoszcz Canal were of bigger size of 68,0 × 8,8 m with head clearance of 6,6 m and chambers’ length equaling 48,9 The uniqueness of these locks was vastly the mater of the material used – baked brick.

The lock II and the promenade nearby old Bydgoszcz Canal at the beginning of the 20th century (1905) by UnknownMuseum of the Bydgoszcz Canal

At the turn of the 18th to the 19th century the works on deepening, strengthening of the canal and planting trees took place.  

Trapezoid lock on postcards at the turn of the 19th to the 20th centur (1905) by UnknownMuseum of the Bydgoszcz Canal

Trapezoidal Lock

From 1882 to 1884 the new lock of unique worldwide trapezoid shape was created. The new lock was located approximately 50 m north of the north head of the old one, in the wide – there- bend of the Brda river.

In order to keep the previous width of the river, the area on its river bank was dug up, cutting the huge part of the cape on the area of the factory of Buchholza of that time (present day University of Economy).

Trapezoid lock on the photograph from the beginning of the 20th century (1908) by UnknownMuseum of the Bydgoszcz Canal

The new lock was an innovative construction, the interesting example of the 19th century technical thought. Peculiar was not only the trapezoid shape of the chamber, but also constructional arrangements, like the location of upper and lower gate in one head.

The disadvantage of this construction was the need of earlier turning of barges, in order to make them sail back to lock.

General plan and longitudinal section of the Vistula - Odra waterway (1900) by UnknownMuseum of the Bydgoszcz Canal

In the second half of the 19th century inland sailing in Germany slowly gave its way to railway transport. In the society more and mote voices against sailing on waterways could be heard, while the lobby connected with railway transport was becoming stronger.

Even though the strong merchant and industrial zones brought the discussions about waterways not only to parliament but also to press. The concern of Bydgoszcz inhabitants was even greater in view of Russian attempts to build the waterway Vistula – Warta.

Construction of a new Town Lock (1911/1912) by UnknownMuseum of the Bydgoszcz Canal

In this situation the resolution of German Parliament was made in 1905 in case of redevelopment of the waterway Odra – Vistula. The realization of this resolution was planed for 10 years.

The waterways were planed to be adjusted to the standards dictated by Merchant associations, namely to transport barges with over 400 tonnes capacity (two Finow boats or one of Wrocław type). 

Construction of Czyżkówko lock (1911) by UnknownMuseum of the Bydgoszcz Canal

The proper works on the canal started in years 1909 - 1910. In order to keep traffic on the canal, the Town lock was moved North, in the place which in the future with the increasing traffic would enable construction of the second lock, supporting the existing one.

Construction of Czyżkówko lock (1911) by UnknownMuseum of the Bydgoszcz Canal

Locks on the new Bydgoszcz Canal were ready in 1913, however because of the problems with the lock Okole the whole waterway was given to use two years later during the ceremonious opening, which took place on 1 April 1915.

Excavation for construction of new Prądy loc (1911) by UnknownMuseum of the Bydgoszcz Canal

One month later, in May the canal reached the maximum and planed draught – 1,4 meter. During the first years of functioning, the problems connected with functioning of the lock Okole appeared and the lock was repaired in 1917 and 1922.

Town lock, Unknown, 1925, From the collection of: Museum of the Bydgoszcz Canal
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Town lock, Unknown, From the collection of: Museum of the Bydgoszcz Canal
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The lock II and the promenade nearby old Bydgoszcz Canal at the beginning of the 20th century (1905) by UnknownMuseum of the Bydgoszcz Canal

In the mid 19th century Commons Park became the visiting card of the city, and the place of recreation and leisure. At this time first restaurants, dancing halls were created and all types of attractions such as kneesups – 

the most important were open-air balls, painting and photography venues, exhibitions, summer theatres, or during winters – ice rinks. Also during the interwar period the park did not lose its predominant position of one of the major attractions of the city.

Promenade by old Bydgoszcz Canal (1905) by UnknownMuseum of the Bydgoszcz Canal

All citizens and tourists spend their time on locks, where they were relaxing or having fun. 

Numerous restaurants, cafes and attractions awaited people from the lock II and Mikulski’s restaurant through Holy Trinity street and magnificent Patzer’s Garden near the lock II.

The lock IV on old Bydgoszcz Canal at the beginning of the 20th century (1910) by Photografie und Verlag Conrad JungaMuseum of the Bydgoszcz Canal

Near present day Jackowskiego street there were restaurants owned by Wieszczyński and Sikorski. However, the most popular were the restaurants located further, in the west side of the Bydgoszcz Canal, near the lock IV - Kleinert’s Garden or Krüger’s restaurant.

Rafts on old Bydgoszcz Canal at the beginning of the 20th century (1910) by UnknownMuseum of the Bydgoszcz Canal

Karl Rausmus’s restaurant near V lock at the beginning of the 20th century (1910) by UnknownMuseum of the Bydgoszcz Canal

Unusual restaurants

The V lock was home of one of the greatest restaurants, one of them belonged to Karl Rasmus, while the other called “Blumenschleuse” – the Flower Lock to Hans Rattey.  

The oldest restaurant boasted of a dancing hall, where magnificent banquets took place. Further at the end of the park one could spend time on Świtały pitch in Buchholz’s and Uliszewski’s restaurants. Holidays went with military bands. 

Ice rink near III lock on old Bydgoszcz Canal (1904) by UnknownMuseum of the Bydgoszcz Canal

It was also a venue of painting in the open air, boat rides and dog training. During winters, skaters who gathered between the lock III and IV, were a frequent picture in the areas of present day Grunwaldzkie Roundabout.

View from the II lock on the old Bydgoszcz Canal, Unknown, 1906, From the collection of: Museum of the Bydgoszcz Canal
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Old Bydgoszcz Canal near II lock and stone bridge, Unknown, 1915, From the collection of: Museum of the Bydgoszcz Canal
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Polish-Prussian School of Artistic Craft, Unknown, 1915, From the collection of: Museum of the Bydgoszcz Canal
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III and lock around the Swan Island over the old Bydgoszcz Canal, Unknown, 1916, From the collection of: Museum of the Bydgoszcz Canal
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Credits: Story

Tomasz Izajasz

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The story featured may in some cases have been created by an independent third party and may not always represent the views of the institutions, listed below, who have supplied the content.
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