The Walrus Monument in Mielno is a 1:1 scale bronze sculpture depicting an adult walrus (Odobenus rosmarus), located at the main entrance to the beach from ul. Kościuszki. Since 13 February 2010, the monument has welcomed everyone heading to the seaside and is one of the most recognisable points of the resort.
History of the monument and the ice-bathing tradition in Mielno
The author of the sculpture is the Poznań artist Robert Sobociński. The monument was created to commemorate the tradition of the International Walrus Meetings, which have taken place in Mielno since 2004. The first meeting was organised by local journalist Hilary Kubsch, who on a winter’s day noticed a group of people bathing in the Baltic Sea and decided to give this activity an organised form. In the first edition, 120 brave souls entered the icy water — today the event attracts several thousand participants from across Europe and is one of the largest events of its kind in the world.
The day after the unveiling of the monument, on 14 February 2010, in Mielno a Guinness record was set in the category of the largest mass plunge into cold sea water — 1,054 people entered the Baltic Sea at that time. Another record fell in February 2015, when 1,799 walruses immersed themselves in the water.
Practical information
The monument is located on the square at ul. Kościuszki, just before the main descent to the beach in the centre of Mielno. Access is free and possible all year round, at any time of day. It is a popular spot for taking commemorative photos — both in summer and in winter during the February meetings. In the immediate vicinity runs Friendship Promenade, and a few minutes’ walk away are the other tourist attractions of Mielno.
For whom
The Walrus Monument is a must-see point on the walking map of Mielno — both for families with children, who enjoy taking photos with the bronze animal, and for lovers of winter bathing looking for a symbol of their passion. It is worth stopping by here when planning a walk along the promenade or simply heading to the beach.
The International Walrus Meetings take place every year on the second weekend of February. Programme details and registration are available on the official event website zlotmorsow.mielno.pl.
Price
Free entry — publicly accessible attraction without tickets.
