Wiślina: Bell Tower, Motława and Mennonite Trail

• The wooden bell tower dates from 1792 and also serves as the cemetery gate known as “Brama do Raju”.
• A municipal kayak route on the Motława passes through Wiślina; it is considered easy because of the slow current and can be travelled in both directions.
• From the junction in Wiślina, the Mennonite Trail runs along the Motława to Bystra and Lędowo and continues into the municipality of Cedry Wielkie.
• The recommended Motława trip from Gdańsk to Wróblewo is 15 km one way, or 30 km there and back.

Wiślina has a wooden bell tower dating from 1792, which is also known as the cemetery gate “Brama do Raju”. The gate led to a Mennonite cemetery; the grounds are now a parish cemetery. The cemetery was once associated with a Gothic church, which no longer survives. Here, a surviving structure, its former connection with the church and the present-day use of the cemetery grounds come together.

Well-preserved carved inscriptions can be seen on the gate’s four supporting posts. They include a dedication by the village head of Dziewięć Włók, references to the church caretakers, and the name of the builder, Jakub Jentzen, and the date 1792. The inscriptions provide specific names and details that can be distinguished when viewing the structure. The name “Brama do Raju” recalls the Olęder settlement in this area.

The municipal kayak route on the Motława passes through Wiślina and crosses the flat, agricultural areas of the Żuławy Gdańskie. The landscape along the route is therefore part of the kayaking experience. The stretch is considered easy because of the slow current and can be travelled in both directions. This information is useful when planning your trip if you are considering making a river excursion a focus of your stay.

Another recommended Motława trip runs from Gdańsk to Wróblewo in the wider region. It is 15 km one way and 30 km there and back. This gives travellers considering a longer kayak trip a specific distance to plan around.

From the junction in Wiślina, the Mennonite Trail runs along the Motława to Bystra and Lędowo in the municipality of Pruszcz Gdański, then continues into the neighbouring municipality of Cedry Wielkie. The route is considered peaceful and scenic. For cyclists, it offers a different focus from the kayak route: the emphasis here is on the path along the river, rather than travelling on the water.

The Wojewódzki Bieg Żuławski is also part of the area’s sporting life. The municipality lists it as one of its regular sporting events, held on the Wiślina–Lędowo route. Alongside its historic structure and routes, the area thus has a connection to a regional running event.

A route from Pruszcz Gdański passes through Rokitnica on its way to Wiślina. When looking for a hotel or other accommodation, you can first consider what you want your stay to focus on: the historic cemetery gate, a kayak trip on the Motława or a cycling trip along the Mennonite Trail.

For comparison with other destination pages: Kleszczewo, Buszkowy Górne, Ostrowite, Przejazdowo, Cedry Wielkie, Pręgowo Górne, Juszkowo, Koszwaly.

What is “Brama do Raju” in Wiślina?

“Brama do Raju” is the cemetery gate and also a wooden bell tower dating from 1792. It led to a Mennonite cemetery, which is now a parish cemetery.

Which places does the Mennonite Trail connect?

From the junction in Wiślina, it runs along the Motława to Bystra and Lędowo in the municipality of Pruszcz Gdański, then continues into the neighbouring municipality of Cedry Wielkie.

What should you know about the kayak route through Wiślina?

The municipal route on the Motława passes through Wiślina. It is considered easy because of the slow current and can be travelled in both directions.

For the broader travel overview: Gdańsk.