Vistula Lagoon

The Vistula Lagoon is a shallow body of water sheltered from the Baltic by a long sandy spit. The Nogat, Elbląg and Pregel rivers bring water to its shores, while a passage near Pillau connects it to the sea. In medieval times channels farther west also gave Elbing access to the Baltic; their closing altered the routes by which its merchants could reach open water. Fishing and navigation remained central to life around the lagoon.