A few kilometres from Skorupki lies Ryn, with its old Teutonic Knights' castle. It is one of those places that remind you that Masuria has a much longer history than modern tourism might suggest.
The castle was built in the 14th century between two lakes — Lake Ryńskie and Lake Ołów. Water played a very important role here even then.
Most remarkable, however, is the underground canal that connected both lakes. It was over 170 metres long and made use of the natural difference in water levels.
This made it possible to power the castle mill — an example of medieval hydraulic engineering working centuries before modern energy technology.
Today few people realise that such an advanced water system once operated beneath this quiet Masurian town.
Ryn is often associated mainly with its marina and the castle hotel. Yet its history is far more technical and water-related than one might expect.
It is a good reminder that the lakes of Masuria have always been something more than just a landscape to admire.