Understanding historical landscapes of the Vistula Lagoon
through aerial photography

Jerzy Miałdun, Izabela Mirkowska

  
Sobieszewska Island was formed as a result of a catastrophic flood at the end of January and beginning of February 1840. At that time, the swollen waters broke the Vistula sand-bar near Górki Wschodnie, creating a new river bed for the Vistula, called “The Brave Vistula” by Wincenty Pol. The final formation of Sobieszewska Island was also affected by human activity to protect this part of the delta against flooding. Between 1889 and 1895, a 7.1 km long canal was dug out on a straight extension of the Leniwka. It was officially opened on 31 March 1895, on the personal order of Emperor Wilhelm II.