turystyka

The Ina River in 1918

According to legends, the winding, meandering river was ploughed by the devil just to spite the Pomeranians. To do the job, he harnessed two witches at loggerheads who would pull the plough in different directions. Despite its devilish origin, water drawn from the River Ina on Easter Sunday morning can heal any eye disease.
The River Ina is the longest (ca. 130-kilometre long) right tributary to the river Odra in its low course. In time, it became the symbol of the town, which was placed, together with the Pomeranian griffin, on the town's coat of arms. As the river was navigable in the Middle Ages, it provided for the development, prosperity and power of the port town. Until the end of the 19th century the river was so efficient a water route that since the end of the 14th century Stargard was one of the biggest exporters of wheat in Pomerania. Exported goods were loaded on barges in a port within the city walls (the inner port was unique not only in Pomerania). The island located within the city walls was then crossed by two forks of the river, no longer in existence today, which at that time also served as loading channels. At the mouth of the River Ina, in the reloading river port, goods were reloaded on sea going vessels.
The wealth and independence of the town sparked off many conflicts with competing towns. Despite being granted the ducal privilege of free navigation, floating goods by Stargard was disturbed by attempts made by Goleniów and Szczecin, which barred the riverbed at times. In the 15th century there was even an open, unsettled conflict with Szczecin, the so-called wheat war. At that time the towns enjoyed an almost equal status and were located in different duchies. Burghers and mercenaries skirmished both on land and water. In 1460 the lord mayors planted the so called 'wreath of peace' – a lime tree in Kobylanka, but formally the biggest trade war in Pomerania ended with truce signed in Anklam in 1464.
The River Ina also used to power the big ducal, and later, since the 18th century, a municipal watermill while its tributaries, the Krąpiel and Mała Ina, also other Stargard watermills. The river was also a source of fish. Its waters defended and protected the town crating marshes and backwaters in front of walls and earthwork and filled, upon earlier damming, most the deep moats.
The craftsmen of Stargard also needed the River Ina, especially cloth makers as it propelled their fulling mills, and tanners. Later its importance for the industry was also critical. For all burghers the river was the source of water and a place of relaxation.
But the Ina could also be dangerous. It overflowed its banks in springtime and frequent, severe floodings made the earlier inhabitants of Stargard regulate the riverbed and build a system of diversion canals and reservoirs.
Today the Ina is again a river full of fish. In its middle course it irrigates fields thanks to the system of canals; enthusiasts of kayaking consider it as an interesting water route.