City Guide: Toruń, Poland

Everything About Toruń

Medieval town of Toruń aka (Krakow of the North) locates at the heart of the country and side of the Vistula River on a very accessible point. The town is under the protection of UNESCO. Despite being one of the Kujawsko-Pomorskie Region’s capital, the town is not known well enough from international tourists. 

This little city shines by the fact that it is the Copernicus’s hometown and with mysterious angels surrounding, protecting the city. It is full of stories, legends and much more…

History

 

This historical place dates back to eight centuries earlier when Gothic style was widespread. City was under the control of Teutonic Knights in 13th century. When the craftsman of the city become more and more and they joined to Hanseatic League, the city became a substantial trade center. 

After the Polish-Lithuanian-Teutonic War, Toruń became part of Polish Kingdom. However, the result did not staffed the war sides so Thirteen Years War has started. In 15th century, Toruń officials remained as a land of Polish Kingdom. A century later, Protestantism adopted by the administrative with Protestant Reformation resulting in transformation of the catholic churches such as St. John’s Church. The effect of the protestants lasted till Blood-Bath of Toruń (Tumult of Thorn). In 18th century, administration captured by Prussian Kingdom.

After WW2, it didn’t got too much harm like other Polish cities and has taken by Soviet until Poland declares independence. Luckily, many buildings from old times still stands today.

Landmarks

1. Gingerbread Museum (Muzeum Piernika)

Gingerbread Museum aka the first interactive museum in Europe is located on Rabianska Street which is one of the branches of Szeroka Street. This museum turns gingerbread production into a living performance. You will have a chance to prepare your own gingerbread in wooden molds guided by the ancient traditional recipe from Middle Ages. The famous pierniki (gingerbread) of Toruń dates back to times when the city itself was first constructed. 

Museum is open from 10am to 6pm and the tickets cost 24 PLN for adults and 19 PLN for students. English show starts at 2 pm and you can also make reservation before visiting. 

2. The Leaning Tower (Krzywa Wieża)

The Leaning Tower of Toruń locates very near to Vistula River at the juncture of Pod Krzywą Wieżą and Bankowa Street. This medieval tower is strangely inclined towards the street due to the clayed ground where it is built on. First it was functioning as part of fortification, then it served to be a women’ prison, craftsman shops, residential, souvenir shop, cafe etc. Nowadays, it involves Krzywa Cafe and Toruń Cultural Department.

There were some legends about this interesting tower. One of them is;

“Once upon a time, this tower was a house of 12 knights of the Order of Teutonic Knights and they were unpermitted to communicate with women. Though it was banned, one of them fell for a girl who was a daughter of a rich tradesman. By breaking the rules he had to be punished, thus the woman got 25 whipping and the knight has to construct a tower that is inclined as a recompense. Being leaned would show how he disobeyed the orders. Today, it is said a sinners can’t keep their balance when they lean on the tower.”

And the other legend goes like this;

“The Vistula River and the tower were friends and river was telling stories to its dearest friend. As the time went by, river got closer to tower and corroded its walls resulting in the tilt. Then, the tower requested not to come so much closer because it may fall down, offended river said "So fall down, then!”. Rivers crying voices were heard inside the walls of the city so they named the town as Toruń which means "So fall down, then!”

In addition to these legends there were some locals that were associated the leaning with the Copernicus’ decent discoveries.

3. Museum and House of Nicolaus Copernicus

Nicolaus Copernicus is a scientist who is famous for finding out the Earth was revolving around sun and he has many more discoveries and inventions. As you already know, Toruń is famous with being the hometown of him and his family’s house is located here where he was born. Today, this house is available for visiting and functions as a museum and a perfect example of a medieval house from 15th century. 

Museum and House of Nicolaus Copernicus can be found on the Copernicus Street. The tickets for the house costs 22 zloty for adults, 15 zloty for students. Between May-September it is open from 10am to 6pm and between October-April opening hours change into 10am to 4pm. Please consider that the museum is closed on Mondays.

Some interesting facts:

• His family name Copernicus comes from copper which is his family job. 
• Copernicus’ rich merchant family originally moved from Krakow to Toruń in 15th century. 
• Nicolaus Copernicus had many accidents through his life, thats why his face is said to be  crooked and was looking worse than his famous “Toruń Portrait”.

4. Old Town Hall (Toruń District Museum, Regional Museum)

At the medieval Old Town Market Square (Rynek Staromiejski), Old Town Hall with the tower locates behind the famous Copernicus Statue. Dating back to 14th century (rumor has it) this building is known to demonstrate a calendar as the tower is the year, little towers at the corners are the seasons, halls are months, rooms are weeks and windows are days. Building was used as a market on the first floor and governmental on the second floor in medieval times and was witnessing the celebrations, death penalties, important events of the city that were taking place at the square; however, today it is one of the most significant museum of the region involving art and craft exhibitions. 

Tickets for the town hall costs 13 zloty for adults and 9 zloty for students. The museum is open in October-April season from 10am to 4pm; in May-September season from 10am to 6pm except Mondays.

The Tower is a great view point of the city with the 40m height and 175 steps. It exposed to a fire in 18th century and lost its gold crown on top. Traces of this fire can still be seen today from the courtyard. The tower is open at the same periods of the museum and tickets cost 12 zloty for adults, 8 zloty for students.

5. Teutonic Knights Castle&Ruins

Horseshoe shaped Teutonic Knights Castle which is built in 13th century and still can be visited today, separates the old and the new town of Toruń. Walking around the ruins is free because it is a part of the town but visiting the exhibition area requires a ticket that costs 9 zloty for adults and 6 zloty for students. When you enter; you can see the tower, kitchen, dorm, dungeon, tools, daily life and needs of the knights by roaming around an outdoor museum.

As an interesting fact; the towers that were known as Gdanisko and were used to observe any signals and threats, were also used as a toilets because they were using the water from well and by using the tower outside the wall they avoided pollution in their well.

The Castle which was once a part of the city’s fortification is now open in March-October season from 10am to 6pm, in November-February season from 10am to 4pm.

6. Toruń Planetarium (Planetarium Władysława Dziewulskiego, Centrum Popularyzacji Kosmosu)

Copernicus’s hometown must have a planetarium, right? His discoveries are better demonstrated in this humble building which was a gas plant once. You will better understand and appreciate the universe in here with the help of the projectors. 

The planetarium is closed until 17th of January 2021, but you may check from its official site again for updates. Tickets cost 16 zloty for adult and 12 zloty for students. 

7. The Church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary (St. Mary’s Church)

This long named gothic church dates back to medieval times and was one of the tallest building of that time. Unlike the other churches architecture style, St. Mary’s Church doesn’t have a specific tower for the bell but has three little towers that are attached to the ceiling of the building. Inside, there are wooden crafts&benches, historical paintings (suffering Jesus), graves (epitaphs) of local famous families. Swedish princess Anne Wassa who was the sister of the Polish King Sigmund Wasa III and claimed to be the first person to smoke tobacco in Poland was buried here when the church was center of protestants. The Church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary is now a Catholic church. 

8. The Observation Platform

In order to better understand and see the picturesque view of Toruń, you have to step back a little. This steps will take you across the river till the Observation Platform. It is the perfect place to catch best photographs of the overall town. 

9. Fortification and Walls

Fortification and the city walls are an open medieval museum for the visitors. You can see Leaning Tower, Mostowa Gate, Monastery Gate, Sailor’s Gate, Covent Gate, part of Teutonic Castle etc. Don’t miss this free exhibition of history. 

10. Bridge Gate (Brama Mostowa, Transport/Ferry Gate, Przewoźna/Promowa Gate)

The Bridge Gate is called like that because there was a wooden bridge that was reaching out across the Vistula river. The beginning of the bridge is visible today, too. This medieval  gate has marks of water level from previous floods of Vistula. 

11. Convent Gate (Brama Klasztorna, Holy Spirit Gate, Cloister Gate, Monastery Gate)

Convent Gate is called by many names and remained from 14th century fortification of the town. This gothic gate is stayed almost same and is showing its original shape.

12. Sailor’s Gate (Brama Żeglarska) 

Also a part of the fortification and just like the other gates, Sailor’s Gate survived from medieval times. This gate opens to the direction of Toruń Cathedral to main square. Ceremonies of the significant authorities used to start from here to Town Hall causing the Sailor’s Street to be known as Royal Route. As Toruń was an important port, the gate welcomed many sailors. After WW2, the port stopped giving service and today there are only touristic boats. 

13. Church of the Holy Spirit (Kościół Świętego Ducha)

When the Lutheranism raised in Toruń, this Lutheran church became remarkable. It can be distinguished from other churches (built by red brick) with its distinct style (Baroque). Interior of the Church of the Holy Spirit damaged by a fire and rebuilt in 2005. 

14. Artus Court (Dwór Artusa)

Artus Court exposed to many renovations in time and is substantial as it was the meeting point of rich locals. Hosting historical events, interior of the building was and is very luxurious. Present building that can be visited today is built in 19th century and cultural and municipal events are taking place in here. 

15. Toruń Cathedral (St. John’s Cathedral)

Toruń Cathedral locates on the Sailor’s Street (Ulica Żeglarska) which begins with Sailor’s Gate from the Vistula River side. This gothic architectural masterpiece is known to be where Copernicus had his baptism. Also, it is said that Polish King John Albert’s heart is buried here.

The tower of the cathedral has one of the largest and heaviest (about 7 tons) bells in Poland and named as Tuba Dei which means God’s Trumpet. Nowadays, the bell is used rarely due to possibility of harming the tower with the vibrations. Tube Dei tickets cost 7 zloty for adults, 5 zloty for students and is open from 9am-4:30pm from Monday to Saturday, 14pm-4:30pm on Sundays. It is a good point for catching astonishing photographs of the city.

16. House under the Star (Far Eastern Art Museum)

This historical building that has a star shape on the roof hosts the Far Eastern Art Museum which includes works of Japan, China, India, Vietnam and Korea.

17. New Town Square

Addition to Old Town Square, New Town Square is also a known meeting point in Toruń. Despite, being called “New” the square is actually dates back to 13th century.  While Old Town was functioning as trade center, New Town was where the craft production was held. Today, it is where most of the celebrations are taking place and is surrounded by buildings such as “Pod Złotym Lwem” (Golden Lion), Holy Trinity Church, “Pod Modrym Fartuchem” etc.. 

18. Józef Piłsudski Bridge crossing the Vistula River

Józef Piłsudski Bridge connects Torun’s Old Town to Toruń Główny train station. Bridge can be walked by pedestrians but it is quicker to take bus for 2 stops. This structure looks stunning from the coast at sunset.

19. Dybowski Castle

There is no entrance fee for Dybowski Castle which is located on the other side of the town near train station. Once a seat of royal, demolished during wars, now only the ruins can be visitable and also it is on a bicycle route to Włocławek. Every September, an archaeological picnic takes place here.

20. Significant Monuments of the Town

• Donkey Monument

Bronze Donkey Monument is one of the landmarks in the town and it was once where the executions were taking place. It is said that the guilty would be punished while tied to wooden donkey. It is also said if you touch its ears you will have chance to visit Toruń again. 

• Monument to Filus

While going through the Old Town Square, you will probably notice a dog with a hat in its mouth next to an umbrella. This dog that is named Filus is known to wait its master Professor Filutek. Stroking its head will bring you chance. 

• Cosmopolis Fountain

Locating near the entrance of Old Town you can notice a fountain in the middle of a park. This fountain is illuminated by colorful nights at night and refers to famous work of Nicolaus Copernicus ‘On the Revolutions of the Heavenly Spheres’. You can visit here to relax, listen music and watch some water shows. 

• Frog Fountain

Frog Fountain locates in the Old Town Square and shows the story of Janko Muzykant who saved the town from plague of frogs by playing violin and directing them out of the city.

• The Dragon

This monument is there because some people claimed to see a dragon here. They said this 2 meters dragon could fly and swim. Today, people throw money in the water in front of it to wish. 

• Nicolaus Copernicus Monument

Most popular landmark and meeting point in Toruń is Nicolaus Copernicus Monument beyond any doubt. He holds a astrolabe and shows the sky (heaven) with his index finger. On the statue where it sits, it is written as “Nicolaus Copernicus Thorunensis, terrae motor, solis caelique stator” which means Nicolaus Copernicus of Toruń, mover of the Earth, stopper of the Sun and heavens”.

Eat&Drink

Famous gingerbread of Toruń is top at the list of what to taste in this small medieval town. If you are into alcoholic beverages, Toruń brewed beers are worth to try and also you can take a tour to learn how they produce it. Moreover, Milk Bars (such as Bar Mleczny Pod Arkadami) which are where the traditional food are served can be tried to experience local food like soups or pierogi (variously filled dumplings). 

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*All sketches belong to me.*

References

• https://en.wikipedia.org/
• https://www.poland.travel/
• https://wikitravel.org/
• https://whc.unesco.org/
• https://www.torun.pl/
• http://www.visittorun.pl
• https://theculturetrip.com/
• https://www.travelsewhere.net/
• https://www.thecrazytourist.com/
• http://snowtoseas.com/
• https://muzeumpiernika.pl/
• https://zabytek.pl/
• https://www.cityguidetour.com/