Motława
Motława
River in Poland
The Motława (German: Mottlau; Kashubian: Mòtława) is a river in Eastern Pomerania in Poland.[1] Its source is in Szpęgawskie Lake, northeast from the town of Starogard Gdański. The Motlawa goes through Rokickie Lake to Martwa Wisła, a branch of the Vistula.[2] The total length of the river is estimated at 68 km, with an area of 1511.3 km2.[3]
The city of Gdańsk is situated at its mouth in the Martwa Wisła. In Gdańsk, the Motława ferry crosses the river, a service that has run since the year 1687.[4]
The Polish name Motława is derived from Old Prussian language. In German the river is known as Mottlau.
A common theory for the etymology of the cities Gdańsk and Gdynia is that they are named after an older Polish and Kashubian name for the river, Gdania.