Top Things to do in Torun
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10 Sights & Landmarks in Torun That You Shouldn't Miss
Famous for its native son, the astronomer Copernicus, Torun was founded by the Teutonic Knights in the 13th century. You can still see the ruins of their castle, left pretty much unchanged from when it was destroyed by disgruntled medieval townsfolk. Torun was one of the few Polish cities to escape major damage in World War II. Its beautifully preserved Old Town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Don’t miss the striking Old Town Hall. Torun is also famed for its gingerbread.
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1. Niewidzialny Dom
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 113 reviews
The Invisible House is one out of 5 tourist attractions in the world (of which we know) that presents the world by switching off the sense of sight. And it is one of the 5 most important places to visit in Torun. The tour lasts about 60 minutes and takes place in total darkness. Considering the fact of strong emotions experienced during the tour, we kindly invite persons at age 9+. The Invisible House directs its emotions to each of us individually. The proposed tour is of very unique, individual and personal character. Therefore, we would like to ask our visitors not to talk to friends or families of what they have seen here, or in fact, of what they have not seen in the Invisible House. Such reports and suggestions may interfere with experiences and impressions of our future visitors.
Reviewed By 919cindyf - Muscat, Oman
I personally loved it! I felt so welcomed by everyone there and I really enjoyed my time. I speak both Polish and English(Better at English), but out tour guide never failed to help us if we didn't understand something in Polish. It was such an amazing experience, I was scared at first cause it was pitch black,but as we continued on I felt more safe since our guide, was helpful and knew the way himself. I would honestly recommend, it was such a fun experience learning how to understand your surroundings and how the blind live the exact same day as us, just without light. I really hope to come again!
2. Old Town Hall
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 408 reviews
Reviewed By Elena257 - Timisoara, Romania
This was not only the city hall, but also the place where they had a bakery, winery, the weighting machine. It tower is the symbol of the city
3. Town Square - Old Town
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,166 reviews
Reviewed By RafalWVIIX - Skoki, Poland
In general, medieval town squares had been taking two forms : of an open square, surrounded by public buildings and houses of gentry and rich townsfolk; so called patricians. And with town's hall or other public edifices in the middle of it. Torun's town square belong to this second type. Marked out after 1251 was an important point located on trade route to Malbork and Gdansk, and not so far from ford through a Vistula River. Back in the past it was most representative and prestigious part of town. And, to be honest, still is. After joining Hanseatic League in 1280 town had witnessed rapid growth. We can admire its effects in beautiful edifices of Old Town Square like Gothic Town Hall. Beside of public gatherings, fairs or tournaments, town square was place where court judgements were announced and public executions of criminals were taking place. In 1454 at the Torun's town square, Gabriel Bazynski voivode of Chelminska Land along with Torun's nobles, patricians and highest municipal officials swore allegiance to Polish King Casimir IV Jagiellon. Of course, the main function of town square were trade and commerce. Town square was divided into four markets where, along with the adjacent streets, selling goods was taking place. Around the old market place can be found one of the oldest tenements in Torun. Many of them constructed in 13th and 14th centuries were, later on, rebuilt in Renaissance, Baroque or Classicist styles. Many of those tenements concealing inside themselves beautiful historic interiors. From all the buildings of Old Town Square its western frontage is the youngest one. After being severely damaged during Swedish siege in 1703 in times of III Northern War ( or so called Great Northern War) it's been partly rebuilt after its end. In place of most damaged tenements Baroque Church of the Holy Spirit was erected. In 19th century some of the rebuilt tenements on the west side of the square were demolished by Prussian government (that was the time after III partition of Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth), and Neo-Gothic edifice of Central Post Office was constructed in their place. Luckily enough, in times of WWII, when German Wehrmacht razed to the ground so many towns and cities in Poland, Russia and other countries Torun's Old Town Square was spared utter destruction, so we can admire its beauty. Definitely worth visiting.
4. Ruins of the church of Sts. Nicholas and the Dominican monastery
5. St. Mary's Church
6. Monument of Nicolaus Copernicus
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 592 reviews
Reviewed By Ula_and_Tom - Leszno, Poland
Really cool that even the great Kopernik is wearing a mask in the time of coronavirus. Very neat. No trash around it. Obviously there were lots of tourists but that's predictable since everyone wants a ????.
7. The Arthur's Court
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 70 reviews
Reviewed By Elena257 - Timisoara, Romania
The court was basically the building where the guilds were meeting. Now it is transformed into a theatre.
8. Motoarena Torun im. Mariana Rosego
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 98 reviews
Reviewed By 322ianb - Stromstad, Sweden
This purpose built stadium is excellent, complimented with great facilities, the seats are comfortable, the track is prepared for entertaining racing I have personally had the pleasure of attending the SGP and a league meeting over the last six years, I will also be attending this event in October 2018.
9. Katedra rzymskokatolicka Sw. Jana Chrzciciela i Jana Ewangelisty
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 146 reviews
Reviewed By retireeVancouver - Vancouver, Canada
Know ahead of time what to look for inside this medieval Gothic church, otherwise you might miss something important because there is so much to look at. When I entered the old church, I was just overwhelmed with all of the baroque altars visible from the nave, but placed in niches on the side walls. They seemed massive against the whitewashed walls - tall and wide - all gold, black with gilded decor, or even blue. They were decorated with a mix of statues, paintings, and sunbursts. Epitaphs and other commemorative plaques for noble families and notable citizens were also placed on these chapel walls. Each had a low fence in front of it. Each chapel also had at least 2 Gothic stained glass windows. Biblical scenes from the Bible were illustrated with strong colors and were just beautiful. These windows were still the originals as the city of Torun had not been damaged in WWII. However, I missed the Copernicus Chapel with its baptismal font and bust of Copernicus because my attention was elsewhere. The front of the church, of course, should be the focus of any visit. In contrast to the white walls of the nave, these walls were red brick. My eye was drawn to the 1300 Gothic wood cross with a crucified Christ hanging over the 15th century triptych of St. Wolfgang with a beautiful stained glass window behind all. On either side of the window were very large paintings of the church's two patrons - St. John the Baptist and St. John the Evangelist. However, the painting that got the most attention was the one hanging on a side wall beside the altar - the Crucifixion and Last Judgement. This medieval painting was large and it needed to be to illustrate the essential elements of Christianity. On the top was Peter with the keys to heaven who ushered good people in while St. Gabriel with his sword directed sinners to hell. On the bottom were painted the various punishments people suffered in hell. In the midst of the painting, was the crucified Christ with Mary and others at his feet. The pulpit was really ornate and was placed at the front of the hall church. The white ceiling was vaulted with a repetitive subtle red and green design which also decorated the pointed arches. The north entrance to this church faces the square. The churchis about 1 block from the Town Hall at the intersection of Zeglarska and Kopernicka streets. This red brick church is easily recognized by its single wide tower that has a one armed clock on the south side of the tower. Beside the clock there was evidence of cannon ball damage (missing bricks) from the 18th century Swedish siege. There was no admission for the church, but there is a charge to climb the bell tower for city views and the chance to touch the bell's clapper which supposedly brings good luck. That bell - Tuba Dei- is one of the largest medieval bells in Poland. We took 15 minutes for our pictures, but a visit could be much longer if a closer examination of all of the altars is done. This medieval church is the main church of the old town and should not be missed.
