Toruń was founded in the 13th century, as an outpost for the Teutonic Knights, making it one of the oldest cities in Poland. In the 1280s it became a Hanseatic city. By the 17th century, the city had become quite wealthy and many of the Gothic buildings that can still be seen today were built in that time. The city's Old Town and scenic central marketplace have been largely preserved since Medieval times and have been a UNESCO world heritage site since 1997.

Toruń is also the birthplace of Copernicus and there are several museums in town dedicated to him.

Toruń is well known throughout Poland for its gingerbread.

Points of interest

• There are numerous Gothic Houses in Toruń. Many of the houses feature beautiful wall paintings and/or wood-beam ceilings and date from the 16th to the 18th centuries.
• The Botanical Garden has been a popular destination since its foundation in 1797.
• The Brama Mostowa (Bridge Gate) is a Gothic bridge.
• The Kamienica Pod Gwiazdą (House at the sign of the Star) was built in the 15th century. In the 16th century and in 1697, it was rebuilt. The building features a beautifully decorated stucco façade that is topped with a star, as well as wooden spiral stairs. It currently houses the East Asian Museum.
• The Krzywa Wieża w Toruniu (Leaning Tower of Toruń) was built in the 13th century on loamy ground. As a result, it slowly started leaning and nowadays, the top leans some 1.5 m (5 ft). The Leaning Tower is located on Pod Krzywą Wieżą street.
• The Old City Hall was completed in 1274. A major reconstruction took place from 1391 to 1399 and in the 16th century it was remodeled and extended. In the 18th century it was destroyed and rebuilt and between 2003 and 2005, it was beautifully restored. It is located on the Old Town Market Square. The Muzeum Okręgowe (Toruń Regional Museum) is housed in the Old City Hall.
• The Gothic St. George Guildhall.
• Zamku Krzyżackiego w Toruniu (Toruń Castle) is a ruined 13th-century Teutonic Knights' castle. It was largely destroyed during a rebellion in 1454 and never rebuilt. The ruins slowly decayed further during the centuries since then.
• Construction of the Toruń City Fortifications commenced in the 13th century. The walls were extended during the 14th and 15th centuries, but they were largely demolished in the 19th century. Fortunately, several city gates and watchtowers were preserved, one of which is the so-called Leaning Tower. The site is known as the Twierdza Toruń (Toruń Fortress).
• Toruń Zoo opened to the public in 1965.

• The Gothic Bazylika Katedralna św. Jana Chrzciciela i św. Jana Ewangelisty (Cathedral Basilica of St. John the Baptist and St. John the Evangelist) was originally built from brick in the 14th century. It was extended during the 15th century. The church features an aisled hall, a monumental west tower, Gothic sculptures and paintings. It also houses the Tuba Dei, which is the largest medieval church bell in Poland.
• St. James the Greater's Church dates from the 14th century. The basilica features beautiful wall paintings and Gothic stalls.
• St. Mary's church, or Assumption of Mary Church, used to be a Franciscan aisled hall. it was constructed in the Gothic style during the 14th century.

• The East Asian Museum is housed in the House at the sign of the Star.
• The 15th-century Gothic House that is said to have been the birth place of Copernicus has been converted into a museum.
• The Muzeum Okręgowe (Toruń Regional Museum) was founded in 1965. It has a collection of Gothic art, wooden gingerbread forms, stone fragments from the decoration of the Teutonic castle and painting from the 16th to the 18th centuries. The museum is housed in the Old City Hall.

Accommodation is available in town. Toruń is on the Vistula River 180 km northwest of Warsaw.

Toruń ©Stanisław Krawczyk

The ruins of Toruń Castle ©Stanisław Krawczyk

Church ©Magda Kmiecik

Toruń ©Maksym Harbar

Toruń ©Arun Kuttiyani

Cathedral Basilica of St. John the Baptist and St. John the Evangelist ©777 S

House at the sign of the Star ©Dominika Jakubiec

Toruń ©Dominika Jakubiec

Tower ©777 S