Because of the numerous attractions, ancient buildings and the comfort of living the Northern Polish pearl of Torun is recognized. The city is located on both banks of the Vistula, but symbolically divided into the New and Old Town. Communication between them is provided by old and modern bridges. The city is one of the two largest and most influential centers of Kujawsko-Pomorskie Province of Poland.
Top 10 attractions in Torun
Poland is famous for its centuries-old history, castles, towers, churches, numerous architectural monuments, which were built in different building styles more than a century ago. The buildings have survived through the centuries and survived to this day.
On the map of Torun marked in detail all of its attractions: castles, cathedrals, old houses, town halls, squares, palaces and other cultural sites that love to visit the tourists and citizens. It helps to decide on their review and make a more convenient route. The map is a good helper for first-time visitors. With its help you can quickly find every building, every house of historical value.
Old Town
The old town with all the houses, buildings and structures is the main attraction of Torun. It is located on the right bank of the Vistula River and is included in the list of historical values of UNESCO, is protected by this world organization. In this place a large number of architectural monuments, well preserved to this day. There is still a moat, dug centuries ago for defensive purposes.
Torun Castle
The first fortress built by the Teutonic Knights in Poland was Torun Castle. Its history begins as far back as 1230, when construction began. It was finally completed in the early 14th century. This defensive structure was built for 100 years. By order of the Grand Duke, who at the time was Kondrat Mazowiecki.
One of the main features of the castle is the shape, which was unfamiliar. The castle is built in the form of a horseshoe. It was one of the most important bases of the Teutonic Order in Prussia. But to this day it has survived in a half-destroyed state. Partially preserved walls of the 1st floor, basements and tower.
After a major reconstruction carried out in 1966, the place is now used for tourism purposes, as well as for various cultural events.
Torun Gate
In the Middle Ages there were often numerous wars. But Torun had a powerful fortification, it was surrounded on all sides by a high powerful wall with numerous towers and gates. Only partially preserved walls, a few towers and three gates: Mostovye, Monastyrskie and Moryatskie.
The bridges were built right on the bank of the Vistula River in the 13th century. They were erected in the Gothic style along with the walls. The monastery gate was called the “Gate of the Holy Spirit. Their construction was completed in the first half of the 14th century. They were part of a mighty defensive structure. For almost 50 years, construction of the Seamen’s Gate was underway on the seashore of the marina. They, like other buildings, were built in the Gothic style and had a defensive purpose. But they also had a commercial purpose and influenced the economic development of the city.
Popular with tourists enjoy two towers: Dove and Crooked, located between the gates. It now houses not large cafes.
St. Jakub’s Church
Back in 1309, the Church of St. Jakub was built, which emphasized the power and majesty of the Teutonic Knights. Its imposing size and refinement of the interior were impressive. At that time, the Kostel Tower was the highest (49 m). In the church are still preserved paintings of the 14-16 centuries and the statue of Our Lady of Mary, as well as the Holy Crucifixion.
The most famous of these is the Cross of the Tree of Life, a copy of which was made at the request of Pope Paul II and is now in the Vatican. This temple, from its opening until today, has been an active parish of Torun. This was once the site of the huge church bells. But 2 of them were taken out by the Swedes during the Great Northern War and are still used in their cathedrals. One of them is recognized as the largest bell in Sweden.
Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary
One of the most sacred places in the territory of the Old Town, revered by the citizens of Toruń, is the Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary, which consists of two parts. The first part in the Gothic style was erected in the 13th century, and the second part was built almost 100 years later. It was a haven for adherents of the Franciscan faith and later the Protestant faith. The majestic building has become a real decoration of the city. Significant for the church was in 1568, when the building was transferred to an educational institution (gymnasium). And now inside the church you can see a partially preserved interior decoration, made by medieval craftsmen.
The ancient frescoes on the walls of the temple are part of Poland’s rich history.
Piłsudski Legion Bridge
The famous Pilsudski Legions Bridge in Torun attracts many tourists. It was built in two years and commissioned in 1938. It connected the left and right banks of the Vistula and at that time was the longest in the country. It was designed by Andrzej Pavlovich Pshenicki, a famous designer of that time. In 1939, after the retreat of Polish soldiers, it was blown up and partially destroyed. And when the Soviet troops attacked, the Germans completely blew it up. After 5 years, the famous bridge was completely rebuilt from the old drawings. It now has its original appearance.
Old and New Market
The famous Old Market Square appeared in Torun in 1259, and in 1264 began to build the New Market Square. They were the main town squares. In 1454 they were united. All major city events have been held here since its inception.
One of the main administrative buildings, the City Hall, was erected on the territory of the Old Market. It consisted of four houses connected with each other and having its own courtyard. It was also the location of the merchant’s rows and the city’s courthouse. On the territory of the New Market in the 15th century was also built New Town Hall. It housed the city’s administrative bodies and shopping malls. But this town hall gradually lost its significance. She was handed over to the evangelists. Both town halls are of great historical value.
The new Town Hall was transformed into the Church of the Holy Trinity, where evangelists preached. During Napoleon’s march across Europe, the temple was very damaged, but was rebuilt in the early 19th century. It was built in the arcade style by one of the most famous designers from Germany, Karl Friedrich Schinkel.
At the beginning of the 20th century this church became a garrison church and was named in honor of St. Nicholas. It is now home to an art gallery.
Star House
The Star House is another of the city’s most famous buildings. It was built in two stages. The first floor was erected in the 13th century and the second in the 16th. The facade of the Star House is decorated with a gilded star on top. Thanks to her, the building got such a beautiful name and became a historical celebrity. It now houses various exhibitions and collections of masters of the East.
House of Nicholas Copernicus
But, speaking of Toruń, we can’t help but remember the House of Nicholas Copernicus, who was born in this city. The building itself consists of two parts. The famous scientist Nicolaus Copernicus lived most of his life elsewhere, but he was born here. Now it houses a museum dedicated to the life and work of a famous citizen. And on the central square there is a monument to Nicholas Copernicus. The figure is dressed in the professorial clothes of the period. The statue is 2.6 meters high.
Church of Our Lady of Victory
In Torun you can also visit the Church of Our Lady of Victory, which became one of the most valuable buildings of the Middle Ages. Its construction began in the 13th century and was of great importance to the townspeople. But during the Napoleonic campaign the cathedral was completely destroyed, but the building was rebuilt in the early 20th century. It has a high tower, at the top of which is a huge clock. The patroness of the temple was the Empress Augusta Victoria of Prussia. Services are held here in Polish and German.
Also in Torun and its immediate surroundings are other interesting historical sites, which should be visited for several days. You can look it up:
- Gingerbread Museum,
- Arthur’s Court at Old Town Square,
- Dambsky Palace,
- Bezhglovsky Castle,
- Artillery Museum,
- Zoobotanical Garden,
- The Cathedral of St. John the Baptist and St. John the Evangelist.
How to get to Torun?
Torun is the most famous tourist city in Poland. It is located at the intersection of the A1, A10, and A15 freeways. Therefore, you can easily get here by car from Warsaw, Szczecin, Gdańsk, Budapest, Katowice, Wrocław, Poznań, Olsztyn, Kaliningrad and other cities. There are regular bus services to Italy, Germany, France, and other countries.
You can also get to Warsaw by plane, and then you can easily get to Warsaw by bus or car. There is good rail traffic here. It will take you to the largest Polish cities: Warsaw, Gdańsk, Bydgoszcz. There are airports and ground transportation.
Torun sights on the map
Video tour of Torun
Torun traces its history back to the 11th century BC, when the first human settlements were located here. But the city gained its real power thanks to the Teutonic Order of German Knights at the beginning of the 13th century, who pursued a policy of colonizing new land territories. And after joining the Hanseatic League of trading cities, Torun received its official recognition. Situated at the crossroads of trade routes. It began to develop rapidly, the population increased.
