Polish territory, Lithuania, and Russia (the Kaliningrad Region) meet in one place. This place is located near Bolcie near Wiżajny, not far from road no. 651 (Wiżajny – Żytkiejmy) – on the Polish side and Vištytis (in Lithuanian). This point is marked with a granite pillar bearing the state emblems of the three neighbouring countries, inscribed in each country’s language. It is called “Wisztyniec”.
Poland has 6 tripoint border points. These are:
- Poland – Russia – Lithuania (we are here),
- Poland – Lithuania – Belarus, on the river Marycha,
- Poland – Belarus – Ukraine, on the Bug river,
- Poland – Ukraine – Slovakia, on top of Mount Kremenets,
- Poland – Slovakia – Czech Republic, between Jaworzynka (PL), Čierne (SK), Hrčava (CZ)
- Poland – Czech Republic – Germany, between Porajów, Hrádek nad Nisou and Zittau.
The site was renovated with an EU grant. Near the road connecting Żytkiejmy and Wiżajny there is a roadside parking area, a carport, and a toilet. The road to the point is decent and asphalted, and runs right through Lithuanian territory, because access from the Polish side would be more difficult. There is a 400m educational path “Tripoint borders – cold pole”. Crossing a little river and overcoming the difference in elevation, we reach the 2-meter-high granite pillar. On the monument we can see the exact country borders. There is an engraved inscription indicating the name of the country in which we find ourselves.
Poland and Lithuania belong to the Schengen area, so we can cross country borders without any additional procedures. In the case of Russia, it is more difficult because a visa is required. While the law on border matters is clear, here, at the monument, this provision is slightly comical.
The Russian side (part of the Kaliningrad region) is fenced along the border. At the information board there is a notice saying you can’t enter Russian territory; we were also not allowed to take pictures. Apparently, there is even a threat of a fine from the border service.
You could say that we were lucky, because we didn’t see a single guard on the horizon. So we could (somewhat illegally) stand leg in Russia 🙂 The children were very puzzled about why there are rules that the border cannot be easily crossed.