Top Things to do in Torun
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Top 10 Free Things to do in Torun, Central Poland
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.
Restaurants in Torun
1. EMPORIUM souvenirs of Torun
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 39 reviews
Reviewed By AbeilleenPologne
We visited Toruń, the city of the gingerbread, for the first time last week-end. As it is the city of the gingerbread we were not surprised when we saw so many shops selling gingerbread. We visited the pierniki museum, where I fell in love with the ancient moulds on display. I was eager to buy some, because I rather enjoy cooking and baking. They were definitely not easy to find but eventually I saw a comment on the internet mentioning a nice little souvenir shop called Emporium. The shopkeeper was really nice and helpful. I didn't just buy one or two moulds but five of them. They are all hand-made by à Toruń wood carver. Then the shopkeeper gave us the map of Toruń which was actually the "Game of Toruń". The riddle consisted in completing a mistery word based on the city landmarks, which was such an amazing experience, getting us around Toruń to see some extremely beautifully decorated buildings, which we would probably have missed otherwise. We came back to the shop and claimed our prize. We also bought the Emporium home-made pierniki and they were the best gingerbread we have tried so far, and we have tried quite a few in different shops in town. They were moist and very tasty... the next day we had to return for more. We also bought tea with gingerbread spices. We were so glad to have found this shop which is a bit out of the way. If you're in Toruń you definitely should pay Emporium visit. And on your way out of the shop be sure to grab a cup of pierniki coffee next-door.
2. Piwnica Pod Antalkiem - Wine & Whisky Craft Beer Pub
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 62 reviews
Reviewed By DubBhoyo
This bar is so well decorated and has such a great ambience. Try get the seat at the lovely fire. Perfect for a drink or two on a wintery evening. The guy behind the bar is hardly Mr. Personality, but it wouldn't put me off returning, as the place itself is amazing ????
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. St. Mary's Church
5. 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 ????.
6. 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.
7. Cosmopolis Fountain
8. Church of St. Jacob
9. Medieval Defensive City Walls
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 193 reviews
Reviewed By ErnieH472 - Cardiff, United Kingdom
An impressive set of surviving defences from the medieval period. The longest preserved sections are along the river frontage but there are other bits dotted along the town. There are many gates in the walls and various towers which add to the interest. They are lit up in the evening and makes for a pleasant evening stroll.
10. Pomnik Flisaka
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 83 reviews
Reviewed By D1spm - Redditch, United Kingdom
Nice fountain popular with many on a nice day it is nice to see and matches the style of many other of the monuments in the area
