Torún is a wonderfully preserved Medieval town positioned between Warsaw and Gdansk. Originally founded by the Teutonic Knights in 1233, this town became the most important trade harbor on the Vistula River in the 13th and 14th centuries. As well as being a major center of trade, the city is also known for its architecture which is a wonderful mixture of medieval, Renaissance and Baroque buildings. Many of the structures are from the Medieval era with only the facades have been changed. Unlike many other cities in Poland, this town was not destroyed in WWII, therefore it has intact city walls, gates and other historical structures. Granaries dating from the 15th to the 19th centuries still line the streets to the Vistula, Torún’s main river. The 30 remaining granaries are a clear indication of the city’s Medieval power. In fact, these Gothic structures date back to when the city was a member of the Hanseatic League (a high-power commercial and defensive confederation of merchant guilds and market towns in Europe). To protect this town’s importance, the city was added to the UNESCO World Heritage list in 1997, keeping it well-preserved for people like you and me to experience.
Now that the history of the city has been briefly covered, here are a few things I loved exploring while visiting this historic city in Poland.
1. Old Town Square
Old Town Market Square in the center of Old Town is very much the heart of the city. Here you can find numerous beautiful buildings like Old Town Hall, the Cathedral of Saints John the Baptist and John the Evangelist, and some fun animal landmarks too.
2. Old Town Hall
The Town Hall in Toruń is one of the largest brick buildings of its kind in Europe and the city’s most important historical monument. In fact, its tower dates back to 1274 making it the oldest city hall tower in Eastern Europe.
Five centuries ago this was the town’s original marketplace where consumers could go to check measurements of goods purchased. Many of the windows are decorated with whimsical figurines adorned in the typical dress of the time. Climbing the town hall gives a fantastic view of the historical city and the Vistula river flowing along its walls. Today, it also hosts a wonderful town history museum inside. I would definitely recommend checking it out as it has a lot to offer.
3. Toruń Cathedral (Cathedral of Saints John the Baptist and John the Evangelist)
The construction of this beautiful church began in the middle of the 13th century but took 200 years to complete! Up in the tower you can see Tuba Dei (God’s Trumpet), Poland’s third largest bell cast in the 1500s and weighing nearly 7.5 tons. The church is one of the oldest and one of the biggest buildings of its kind in Poland. It also boasts many valuable works of art, particularly those of the Gothic period. The Digitus Dei, the so-called rafter’s clock, is visible facing the Vistula River. Not only is it beautiful, it also served as the river workers way to gauge time throughout the day (makes sense, as it is a clock).
4. House of Copernicus and his statue
Toruń’s claim to fame is that this city is the birthplace of Nicolaus Copernicus, born in 1473 (remember the astronomer who proved the planets revolve around the sun?) The House of Copernicus is a Gothic townhouse from the 15th century with beautiful painted facades and fine carving that belonged to Mikolaj Kopernik (father of the famous astronomer). It has now been turned in to a museum for the public. You will find a monument to him in the Old Market Square, so make sure to check that out while you are there. In his left hand you’ll notice he’s holding an astrolabe, while, for obvious reasons, his right index finger points to the heavens. This town is very proud of their native son and it shows throughout the city!
5. The statue of a violinist surrounded by a herd of frogs stands in front of Old Town Hall
According to legend, a rafts man playing the violin managed to lead thousands of frogs away from the city when the city was overrun by them. In honor of this hero, a monument of the rafts man was erected in 1914. Stories also say you may kiss (or simply touch) a frog for good luck. I patted one on top of his head, just in case!
6. Another notable statue is the bronze donkey statue in Old Market Square
Although the statue is new, the history of him in Toruń, goes back hundreds of years. In 1629 the donkey was actually made of wood and was used to punish criminals. They were made to sit on its back straddling a metal rod running the length of its back. In more serious cases, the prisoners even had lead weights tied to their legs to make the pain more severe. Talk about creative punishment! I saw some hard-core selfie goers try this – ouch!
7. Everything Gingerbread!
Pierniki (gingerbread) is famously popular in Toruń. The first gingerbread cakes in Toruń were baked as early as the 13th century and today, there are shops all over where you can buy it in various shapes and flavors. You may also visit the Museum of Toruń Gingerbread which is in what used to be a 19th century gingerbread factory. There is, even, an actual Gingerbread Walk of Fame where you can see plaques on the sidewalk shaped like gingerbread (they looked similar to dog bones in my opinion) that feature the autographs of famous people who were either born in Toruń or associated with the city. Gingerbread is a BIG deal here and it’s so tasty too!
8. Walk around and enjoy the architecture of the many buildings and churches of the city
I mentioned earlier the city is known for its architecture which is a wonderful mixture of medieval, Renaissance and Baroque buildings. On top of that, the city boasts a great number of well-preserved medieval tenements dating back to the 14th and 15th centuries with wonderful Gothic features. They are among the best-preserved buildings of their kind and well illustrate typical buildings in an old affluent medieval city.
9. Leaning Tower of Toruń
The Leaning Tower of Toruń was built in the 13th century as a defense for the town but quickly began to lean because it was built on loamy ground. Torún could produce its own bricks because of clay readily found in this area. The tower ceased to be used for defense purposes in the 18th century but served many other functions including serving as a women’s prison. There are many legends associated with the tower including one dating back to the sin of the Teutonic Knights. Long story, but to this day, legend has it that those who have sinned are not able to keep their balance under the tower. Tourists can put their morality to test by leaning up against the wall – if you can stand without falling, you are in good standing morality wise. Not many people I saw were still standing after a couple of seconds … hmmm.
10. Teutonic Castle Ruins
Located just outside Old Town, these are the actual ruins of buildings built in the 13th century and not rebuilt after the war. In 1454, the buildings were sacked during an uprising of the people against the Teutonic Order. Little remains of the old Teutonic Castle and the site had been mostly forgotten until the 1960s when excavations brought to light underground chambers that have been opened up to visitors. Still, most of the fortifications of the city are due to the Teutonic Order’s presence and are so impressive!
While touring this wonderful Medieval town, keep these words in mind on exactly why it was chosen to be UNESCO recognized: “It noted that Toruń represents a valuable example of a small historic trading city that preserves to a remarkable extent its original street pattern and outstanding early buildings, and which provides an exceptionally complete picture of the medieval way of life. The spatial layout of Toruń has remained mostly unchanged since the Middle Ages and thus constitutes a valuable source for the urban history of medieval Europe.” I could not have said it better myself!
Thanks Jenny -- I am so glad it made your list as it is definitely "list-worthy"! The gingerbread is phenomenal too 😊
Torun sounds wonderful! The fact that it's such a well preserved medieval city, has made me put this on my lost of places to visit, not to mention the gingerbread!