Tourist development of Gozdowice, including a river border crossing
The Mieszkowice Commune sees a constant growth in cross-border traffic, including hiking and biking for pleasure. This is due to a new ferry crossing between Gozdowice, Poland and Güstebieser Loose, Germany, the first such crossing across the Odra River. The Bez Granic (No Borders) ferry started operating thanks to the well-established co-operation of Mieszkowice with the German municipality of Wriezen (Barnim- Oderbruch region).
In April, when the ferry season begins, a Polish-German cultural event is held. Another opportunity for integration is the Honey Festival which promotes local produce, as are Polish-German fêtes along the Odra or bike rallies. The Germans from the Wriezen Municipality are glad that the Odra has started to join again the two nations rather than dividing them (before the war, there was a ferry running between the two places). Now they increasingly come to the Polish side for shopping and sightseeing trips. As the locals say, the visitors from Germany are interested not only in old churches, fortifications and half-timbered houses, but also in national monuments. Rather surprisingly, many of them are attracted by the ceremonies on the anniversary of crossing the Odra by Polish and Soviet soldiers during World War II. Hikers and bikers enjoy the region’s nature and landscapes.
On the opposite bank, Brandenburg has an extensive network of biking trails with Bett&Bike accommodation, so now German bikers more often come to Poland while Polish bikers explore Germany. And the ferry makes the region not also more accessible, but also more attractive. On the Polish side, the much needed infrastructure is being constructed. The project has included the development of the Odra banks in Gozdowice: building a ferry terminal, lighting, access road, pavements and approach to the ferry. A bike path connecting Mieszkowice with Gozdowice is planned (its section has already been laid out).
The cross-river traffic is monitored and according to official statistics, in 2008 the ferry was used by 9,230 people, including 2,135 car passengers and 2,000 bikers and motorcyclists. In 2009 the figures grew to 15,637 passengers; 3,319 cars and 8,707 pedestrians. Most importantly, both sides benefis from the crossing.
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