While Toruń is not well-known internationally, it is rather famous in Poland. Most Polish people think of Toruń as the home to Copernicus and gingerbread. But Toruń is also a beautiful medieval city on the UNESCO Heritage List. My decision to visit Toruń was quite spontaneous. My parents and I decided to spend several days there and I’m really glad we did.
Because Toruń was not destroyed during WWII, you can still admire the medieval city planning. Toruń basically has 3 sections: the Teutonic Castle with the city walls, the Old Town, and the New Town. Even though the New Town is nice, most tourists head for the Old Town right away. Szeroka Street connects the two town squares with each other.
Toruń- the medieval city
In the middle of the The Old Town you will find the Old City Hall. It is, in fact, a beautiful building in a Gothic style dating back to the 13th century. The building currently houses the Regional Museum of Toruń and its many exhibitions.
I absolutely recommend climbing up the City Hall Tower. Once on top, you will have wonderful views of the surrounding area as well as the Vistula River. The ticket is inexpensive, so don’t hesitate.
Another impressive building in the Old Town is Artus Court Cultural Center. It was built under the Prussian rule in the 19th century. In fact, the Prussian coats of arms are still displayed on the building’s spires. The Culture Center hosts a number of festivals and concerts nowadays.
Toruń Teutonic Castle is another attraction. The ruins are rather well-preserved and it’s certainly enjoyable to explore them.
While you can get to the castle from the Old Town, I recommend walking along the Vistula River. You will be able to admire the Old City walls from outside.
Toruń - home to Copernicus
The city of Toruń certainly takes great pride in its most famous resident, Nicolaus Copernicus. In fact, there is a statue of Copernicus right outside of the City Hall.
Everyone interested in learning more about the remarkable astronomer should visit the Copernicus’ House. The museum is open Tuesday – Sunday, so plan accordingly.
Another site loosely connected to Copernicus is the Toruń Planetarium. While I recommend any of the daily shows, I can’t say the same thing about the Geodium Exhibit. I was hoping for a guided tour but unfortunately you had to read all the sings yourself. It wasn’t quite what I was looking for.
Toruń - home to gingerbread
Because Toruń is famous for its gingerbread, you must visit a gingerbread museum. We decided to see the Living Museum of Gingerbread. It’s an interactive museum where in addition to the history of gingerbread making you will have a chance to experiment with baking your own gingerbread cookies. It was a lot of fun!
While in Toruń, you should definitely buy some gingerbread. We tried a variety of flavors and basically liked them all.
The Old Town in Toruń also boasts a ton of cafes and restaurants. It’s enjoyable to sit outdoors and admire the beautiful architecture and multiple little statues. I definitely recommend visiting the city. I thoroughly enjoyed my time here.
