Torun

Torun, Poland – detailed information about the city. Guide to Torun: popular attractions with photos and descriptions

City of Torun (Poland)

Torun is one of the oldest cities in Poland, founded in the 10th century. Located in the north of the country on the Vistula River. It is the birthplace of the great Nicolaus Copernicus and one of the capitals of the Kujawsko-Pomorskie voivodship. Torun is “Krakow of the North” with a magnificent old German-Polish architecture and authentic historical attractions that did not affect world wars.

Torun’s real gem is gothic architecture. the old city: ancient cathedrals, town hall, the ruins of the very first Poland, the Teutonic Castle, the Gothic tower, numerous historic buildings and preserved city defensive walls with gates and towers.

Panorama of Torun

1. Architecture of torun
2. Story
3. Best time to visit
4. Accommodation
5. Shopping and shopping
6. Guide
7. Kitchen
8. Nicolaus Copernicus
9. Sights of Torun

Torun – the “gingerbread capital” of Poland

Torun is called the “gingerbread capital” because since the 14th centuries baked gingerbread here. And now you can try the famous Torunian treat, which is made according to the traditional recipes. This is one of the symbols of the city and a great souvenir. the main The peculiarity of gingerbread is not only traditional taste, but and in beautiful curly form.

Gingerbread

Architecture of torun

The architecture of Torun is dominated by the Gothic. Here are the real ones. masterpiece sacred architecture of Northern Europe. Also in architecture dominated by the features of the North-European styles (Bohemia, Silesia and the north-western part of Germany). In the era Of the Renaissance and Renaissance, Baroque architecture penetrates into Torun, Italian style. The historical center of the city is listed UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Architecture of torun

Story

The history of Torun begins in the 10th century. At this time here was a small medieval settlement that already received in 1233 city ​​rights.

In 1231, with the founding of the Teutonic Order, the city quickly became the largest in the state. It is here that the Teutonic Knights built their first fortress in Poland. Torun fast turned into a major center of the Hanseatic League, where there was trade between Poland and foreign countries as well cultural and art center of the Teutonic State For all the time the existence of the Teutonic Order, the city played an important role in it economic and political role. In the second half of the 15th century after the Polish-Teutonic War, the city fell under Polish rule Kings in the autonomous province -Korolyovskaya Prussia. This province had its own currency and wide privileges.

Torun – historical Center

In the era of the Reformation and Renaissance, the city has not lost its position (despite the transfer of the leading role in the Gdansk region), but remained important center of culture and science.

The great Nicolaus Copernicus was born in Torun in 1473 – the author heliocentric system of the world.

At the turn of the 16-17 centuries, Torun is experiencing a second golden age. Trade and crafts flourish here. The city gets richer, built and is growing. German Protestants and Polish live here side by side. catholics In 1724, ever-increasing religious tension led to a skirmish between Catholics and Protestants, which led to executions, deterioration of relations between merchants and nobles and excitement. These events have been disastrous for prosperity of Torun. Royal and Saxon army time after time robbed the city.

After the second partition of Poland in 1793, the city of Torun was attached to Prussia. Shortly after the partition King Frederick II Prussia and his successors welcomed Bydgoszcz’s development, as an economic counterweight to Torun and Gdansk. because of political considerations Prussia further sought to hinder development of the city.

Streets of torun

At this time, a rich merchant city turned into a provincial fortress on the border of two empires – Prussia and Russia. During the Napoleonic Wars, the city was captured by the army of Bonaparte and served as a garrison and hospital. After the defeat of Napoleon Torun was again handed over to Prussia, which in the 19th century turned the city into one of the largest and most fortified fortresses in Europe. At the end of 19 century the city was a stronghold of the Polish national consciousness (movement against germanization and separation from Prussia). In 1920 the city finally became part of Poland. During World War II War Torun became the center of political life in Pomerania. After the Second World War, the status of the provincial capital was transferred Bydgoszcz.

At the moment, Torun is a major tourist, economic center of northern Poland. The population of the city is more than 200 thousand. person.

Best time to visit Torun

You can visit Torun at any time of the year. Only should be considered that the peak of the tourist season is May, June, July and August, when the weather is the best. At this time in the city a lot tourists and prices are higher. If you are planning to visit the city a bit saving – we recommend April and September-October.

Avenue Philadelphia in Torun – a favorite walking place of citizens and tourists

Accommodation

In Torun, it is easy to choose accommodation for every taste and budget. AT The city has more than 40 hotels. Most hotels located in the historic city center or within walking distance From him. Low-cost travelers are available for budget travelers. hostels and hotels. Accommodation must be booked in advance. Recommend book hotels in the historic center of the city.

Historical Center

Shopping and shopping

Large shopping centers Torun for shopping and shopping:

• Toruń Plaza – Broniewskiego 90, 87-100 Toruń
• OSIEDLE BIELAWY-CENTRUM HANDLOWE – Olsztyńska 8, 87-100 Toruń
• Centrum Handlowe Atrium Copernicus – Stanisława Żółkiewskiego 15, 87-100 Toruń

Kitchen

In Torun, you can find many restaurants from restaurants with Polish and European cuisine to fast food.

Kapuśniak

From the dishes of Polish cuisine we recommend to try – barszcz (beet soup), kapuśniak (brine soup cabbage), pomidorowa (tomato soup), rosół (noodle soup on beef or chicken broth), kotlet schabowy (fried pork chop with breadcrumbs, served with potatoes and cabbage), zrazy zawijane (stuffed with pickled cucumber, sausage and mushrooms), pierogi (dumplings), bigos (national Polish dish with pickled cabbage with meat, smoked meat and mushrooms), gołąbki (a dish similar to our cabbage rolls).

Bigos

Nicolaus Copernicus

The most famous native of Torun is a great scientist who marked the beginning of the modern system of the world. In his honor here called Streets, universities, museums are devoted to him and his life. The museum Copernicus is located on Ul. Kopernika 15/17 in the house where supposedly a famous scientist was born (although this fact does not have 100% confirmation). These are two old Gothic buildings of the mid-14th century. Here you will find expositions dedicated to Copernicus himself, also look at the ancient interiors of the late Middle Ages.

Copernicus Museum

Sights of Torun

The historical center of the city – the main landmark of Torun listed in the World UNESCO heritage. Here a large number of historical buildings and masterpieces of gothic. Its layout has remained unchanged since since the Middle Ages, and today we can still admire ancient buildings and streets of the 13th-16th centuries. Most buildings made of bricks. There are about 550 historical sites objects.

Historical Center

The main architectural dominant is the Old City The Town Hall is an impressive Gothic building, one of the largest Town Hall of Poland. Construction dates back to 1274 year. At present time in the building is a museum with collections that are beautiful reflect the former glory of the city and its high artistic culture

Old City town hall

Highly recommended to look at the Old Town from the other side. Wisla. From here, one of the most beautiful urban landscapes, looking particularly impressive at night.

View of the Old city ​​from the bank of the Vistula

Nicolaus Copernicus University is one of the oldest and the largest universities in the north of Poland. The university includes 16 faculties in which 32 thousand students study.

University Nicolaus Copernicus

Cathedral of sv. John the Baptist – an old brick Gothic cathedral and interesting sight of Torun. it one of the oldest and largest churches in northern Poland in which collected valuable works of art, especially the gothic period. He witnessed numerous historical events. The construction of the temple, which lasted for two centuries, was in the middle 13th century. A huge bell is installed on the bell tower of the church – the second largest in Poland.

Cathedral of sv. John the baptist

Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary, one of the most outstanding achievements of gothic church architecture in Poland, slender monumental post-Franciscan church towering over the northern part of the Old Town. Here are a number of valuable artistic and historical works. art. An organ is also installed here – the oldest and the most beautiful in Poland. The church was built in the 14th century.

Church Blessed Virgin Mary

Church of sv. Jacob is a bright example of gothic architecture, the smallest in size from ancient churches Torun. Some believe that this is the most balanced and the most beautiful temple of the city. This church was erected at 14 century.

Church of sv. Jacob

Artus courtyard is a unique building built in the 19th century. It is a copy of an ancient building of the 14th century Teutonic Order.

Artus yard

Ancient historic buildings -Torun may boast a large number of well-preserved medieval Petty-bourgeois (merchant) and noble houses, dating from mainly 14-15 century. In the Old Town you can find several hundreds of houses with more or less noticeable gothic elements, unique in both national and european a scale that well illustrate a typical house in an old rich medieval city.

Antique historical Buildings

Granaries – ancient buildings of 13-14 centuries, which used for household needs. They are one of the oldest structures poland well illustrating architectural forms and decorative details of his time.

Granaries

Old Castle – partially restored ruins of the old castle of the Teutonic Order, the first of its kind in Poland. The construction of the castle dates back to the 13th century.

Old Castle

Leaning (Leaning Tower) – ancient gothic tower in Torun, known for the inclination of its axis. Tower was part of the city fortifications along with 54 others fortified towers. Contrary to what the legends say, its slope is a result of the instability of the clay soil. Currently it is one of the most interesting tourist attractions of the Old Town.

Falling (Leaning tower)

Toruń fortress – one of the biggest 19th century forts built in Europe city ​​of Prussia. The fortress includes 15 large forts, well preserved and overwhelming in its size.

Torun fortress

Ethnographic Museum – a museum located in the very center of Torun, near the Old Town, which offers opportunity to get acquainted with the old Polish village. It includes all the elements of folk architecture with fully equipped farmstead, mill, water mill, forge and fire department. The museum is one of three independent and the largest of its kind in Poland. His collection covers the folk culture of Northern Poland and traditions fishermen.

Ethnographical museum

Bydgoszcz Suburbs – a suburb located to west of the city center, built in English style in the 19th century. The buildings combine different architectural styles – classicism, eclecticism, modern and neo-gothic.

Bydgoszcz suburb

Torun travel guide – attractions on map

The route of the main attractions of Torun

Route on the Torun gate

Route on the Torun gate

Torun Tower Route

Old route Torun

A short video about Torun

Maps and guides

Map of Torun

Torun on the map