Poland has resurrected the controversial bus route number 666, which runs to the village of Hel in the north of the country. The route, which was suspended last year after protests from local Catholics who objected to its satanic connotations, will now run again as a tourist attraction. The UK tourism board has issued a travel warning for British tourists, advising them to exercise caution if they plan to use the service.
The route, operated by the local transport company PKM Hel, connects the towns of Władysławowo and Hel. The number 666 has long been associated with the devil in Christian tradition. Last year, the company changed the route number to 669 after complaints from the local church and residents. However, tourist demand for the original number has led to its revival.
"We have listened to our passengers and tourists who found the 666 route a unique attraction," said a spokesperson for PKM Hel. "The number has become synonymous with the Hel peninsula. We will run a regular service and a tourist service with the 666 number."
The decision has divided opinion. Local priest Father Piotr Pruchnicki said: "The number 666 is a symbol of evil. Using it for a bus route is a mockery of Christian values. We will continue to protest."
But for many tourists, the route has become a must-do experience. "It's a bit of fun," said British tourist James Smith, 34, from Manchester. "You can take a selfie with the bus and say you've ridden the devil's bus. It's harmless."
The UK Foreign Office has updated its travel advice for Poland. "Tourists should be aware that the bus route 666 has been reintroduced. While the service is safe and operated by licensed drivers, the route may cause offense to some religious groups. We advise travellers to respect local sensitivities and to avoid any behaviour that could be perceived as mocking religious beliefs."
The bus route runs from the popular seaside resort of Władysławowo to the town of Hel, which is a key destination for tourists visiting the Hel Peninsula. The area is known for its beaches, lighthouses, and seal sanctuary.
The revival of the 666 bus route is part of a broader trend in Poland of using controversial or quirky marketing to attract tourists. Other examples include the "Vampire Tour" of Transylvania and the "Witches' Trail" in the Tatra Mountains.
But for locals like Anna Kowalska, a shopkeeper in Hel, the bus route is more than a gimmick. "It brings in tourists who spend money in our shops and cafes. If it helps the local economy, I'm all for it."
PKM Hel has announced that the 666 route will operate during the summer season only. Tickets cost 10 zloty (about £2). The company has also installed a board at the bus stop explaining the history of the number and its connection to the area.
