Toruń

What is Toruń Famous For?

more than a year ago
The historic city of Toruń in Northern Poland has many claims to fame, depending on who you ask. With its medieval centre designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1997, Toruń's exquisitely-detailed brick gothic architecture, cobblestone streets, gas lanterns and stained glass windows are like something straight out of a fairytale book. Coupled with its idyllic location on the Vistula river, numerous churches and castle ruins on the south-east corner of the old town area, many have remarked that Toruń is the Bruges of Central Europe, and, in our humble opinion, it's way more interesting than regional Belgium! Within Poland, Toruń is famous for its millennia-old gingerbread industry, whose traditions has earned it the title of a protected national treasure. The factoid that usually takes the cake at the dinner parties of the well-travelled is Toruń's historic connections with the famed astronomer Nicolaus Copernicus, known within Poland as Mikołaj Kopernik., who was born and raised in this rather enviable location. However, these tidbits merely skim the surface of the city's history, and there's plenty more to be unpacked as we continue down...
The medieval centre of Toruń.
 

Thorny issues - Teutonic Knights and castle ruins in Toruń

While the first settlement in Toruń is dated to around 1100 BCE and the lands were included in the first iterations of the Polish state, it was the Order of the Teutonic Knights who did anything particularly noteworthy, building a castle here on the northern shore of the Vistula in 1231. The Teutonic Knights were an order of predominantly German crusaders formed in the Middle East in 1190, later being hosted by the Kingdom of Hungary, only to be expelled in 1225. Looking for a new place to crash, Polish leader Duke Konrad I of Masovia granted land to the Teutonic Knights in 1226, in exchange for the services for 'christianising' the pagan tribes on the Baltic coast and hinterland. The fortifications they built here in Toruń, then known by its German equivalent Thorn, were the first major stronghold of what is now known as the State of the Teutonic Order. Later, castles at Malbork and Chełmno were also built, and tensions between the Teutonic Order and its neighbours would result in a number of conflicts with Poland and Lithuania in the 14th, 15th and 16th centuries. Appropriately, subsequent peace treaties were signed in Toruń - the Peace of Thorn (1411) and the Second Peace of Thorn (1466) and the Compromise of Thorn in (1521). The strain of war ultimately led to the citizens rising up against the garrison in 1454, and, after driving the knights out, the castle was destroyed in order to prevent them from reoccupying it.
Marian Jaroczyński's depiction the Second Peace of Thorn in 1466.
This historic painting hangs in Toruń's Old Town Hall.
The remains of the Teutonic castle ruins in Toruń,
which were destroyed in a civil uprising in 1475.
 

Nicolaus Copernicus - the Astronomer of Toruń

Arguably the most recognised in connection with the city, Nicolaus Copernicus was born in Toruń in 1473, shortly after the Teutonic Order had relinquished the surrounding region, known as 'Royal Prussia', to the Kingdom of Poland. His parents were wealthy merchants, originally from Kraków, and had close associations with the church. Most notably, his maternal Uncle, the later Prince-Bishop of Warmia, Lucas Watzenrode the Younger, became the patron of Nicolaus and his 3 siblings, when their father died in 1483. While being groomed to follow his high-standing uncle in the church, his privileged position allowed him to pursue his interest in the sciences and astronomy. He would, of course, go on to revolutionise humanity's understanding of our position in the solar system and make the rather ludicrous suggestion that the earth actually revolves around the sun!
For more about the astronomer's life in Toruń, read our article: On the trail of Copernicus.
Statue of famed astronomer Nicolaus Copernicus, born and raised in Toruń, in the city's historic market square.


Brick Gothic architecture in Toruń

Around the time that young Copernicus was running riot in the streets, Toruń was well-and-truly prospering, thanks to its position on the Vistula River and the boost in status thanks to its membership in the Hanseatic League (1264 - 1411), an economic union between cities in the Baltic region. Like with any major city where business is booming and there's money to spend on public works, beautiful buildings get built, and in the 15th century, Brick Gothic was all the rage! It's safe to say that Toruń is the capital of Brick Gothic architecture in Europe, and you will not find a place with more exquisitely-detailed buildings than here. Starting at the very heart of the medieval centre, Toruń Old Town Hall was given a make-over early on (1391-1399) and features a multistory courtyard and a clock tower. There are 3 churches nearby, Toruń CathedralSt. Mary's church and St. James the Greater's church, are all stunning examples both outside and in. In 1506, Toruń became a royal city of Poland and, the royal mint started operating here in 1528.
The House of Nicolaus Copernicus (PL: Dom Kopernik) in Toruń.
Toruń's defensive walls, dating from the 13th century, and its charming gateways are also must-visits for those looking to take in the wealth of gothic architecture. We already mentioned the Teutonic castle ruins, which includes a fantastic archway stretching across the street to the 'Gdanisko' - an elevated outhouse for knights looking to relieve themselves in style! Heading west along the defensive walls, you will sight a number of rather good-looking structures, including Dwór Mieszczański next to the Brama Mostowa (ENG: Bridge Gate), the latter of which has a gorgeous banded pattern around its turret. Dom Kopernik, the 15th-century Gothic house where Nicolaus Copernicus is alleged to have been born, is a sight to behold, regardless of its connections with the famed astronomer. In the 21st century, it is now a museum that traces the life and work of Copernicus, which also gives visitors an opportunity to experience its interior as well.
 

The Leaning Tower of Toruń

The biggest novelty in Toruń's medieval centre is Krzywa Wieża (ENG: The Leaning Tower), built in the 13th century as part of the city's defensive network. The structure's tilt is attributed to the fact that it was built on clay-based terrain, and has therefore partially sunk one side. However, there are of course a number of legends connected to the tower. The most popular one is a tale about a sinful Teutonic Knight who fell in love with the daughter of a rich local merchant and would meet her in secret, thus breaking the monastic rule of the Order. The residents of the town discovered this and reported them to the commander and the city authorities. Both lovers were fined, the woman was sentenced to 25 lashes, and the knight was ordered to build a tower. However, the tower had to be tilted, in the same way as his conduct had deviated from the monastic rule. For this reason, those who cannot stand unsupported against the tower wall (these days, 3 seconds is long enough) are considered to be sinful as well! Tough crowd!!! Nowadays, the Leaning Tower of Toruń operates as a museum.
 
The Leaning Tower of Toruń on the western end of the medieval defensive wall.

Toruń's famous traditional Gingerbread

First mentioned in 1380, there is evidence to show that Toruń gingerbread (PL: Pierniki Toruńskie) had been produced here since at least the 13th century, based on a traditional regional recipe that made use of locally-available wheat and honey, in addition to spices that had made their way up the trade route from India. Ginger is, of course, a key ingredient, along with nutmeg, cinnamon, pepper and cloves, the latter of which also acts as a natural preservative, keeping the dough fresher for longer! 
Toruń's famous traditional Gingerbread!
Toruń Gingerbread gained fame in the Baltic region of Europe, after it arrived in Sweden via German immigrants. These methods can be experienced at Toruń's Living Museum of Gingerbread, where you have the opportunity to make traditional Pierniki Toruńskie with medieval cooking technology! In the 15th century, a gingerbread guild controlled production, as it competed with other cities further west that were also producing similar goods. In the age of industrialisation, the first gingerbread factory, the Kopernik Confectionery Company, was built in 1763 by Johann Weese, which is now home to the fancy multimedia extravaganza of the Toruń Museum of Gingerbread. While you can find it baked in various shapes and patterns, the characteristic heart shape of the Toruń Gingerbread was apparently produced in honour of the child prodigy Polish pianist Fryderyk Chopin, who visited Toruń in 1825 and fell in love with his little treat. Subsequently, the heart-shaped gingerbread on the Kopernik Confectionery Company included a wrapper with Chopin's face on it!
Toruń Museum of Gingerbread gives you the opportunity to make your own Pierniki Toruńskie (ENG: Toruń gingerbread)

Read more:
On the trail of Nicolaus Copernicus in Toruń
Top attractions - What to see and do in Toruń
​​​​​​​Top outdoor activities in Toruń
Where is Toruń and how to get there?

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