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Toruń |
City located in Northern Poland is the birthplace of the greatest and famous Nicolaus Copernicus. In the Middle Ages Toruń was a prominent trade centre as a member of the Hanseatic League; in Poland is called 'Krakow of the North'. Toruń is the most Gothic urban complex in Poland, one of the most important and crowded tourist centres of unique value, right after Krakow the second richest of original and best preserved historical monuments city in Poland. Numerous museums and other attractions.
The whole complex of Toruń Old Quarter, of unique value, measured by world standards, consists of three historical urban sections: Old City (1233), New City (1264) and the Teutonic Knights' Castle (mid. 13th c.). All of them are included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. The medieval urban and architectonic complex of Toruń has preserved on the whole and constitutes a precious document of tradition and past. The more precious as it is one of the not numerous cities that hasn't been destroyed during the world war II.
Toruń is also one of the most important science and cultural centres in Poland with its bigest and oldest university in the North.
The whole complex of Toruń Old Quarter, of unique value, measured by world standards, consists of three historical urban sections: Old City (1233), New City (1264) and the Teutonic Knights' Castle (mid. 13th c.). All of them are included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. The medieval urban and architectonic complex of Toruń has preserved on the whole and constitutes a precious document of tradition and past. The more precious as it is one of the not numerous cities that hasn't been destroyed during the world war II.
Toruń is also one of the most important science and cultural centres in Poland with its bigest and oldest university in the North.
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Toruń quick facts | ||
• city rights: 1233
• population: 205,312 (2010.12.31.) • students: ~ 40,000 • area: 116 sq. km (45 sq.mi) • location: north-central Poland, on the Vistula River banks (see the map) • region: Chełmno Land (within Pomerania) (administrative: Kuiavia-Pomerania) • administrative status: self-government capital of Kuiavia-Pomerania Voivodeship(administrative region; Polish: Województwo Kujawsko-Pomorskie)
• time zone: CET (UTC +1 hour)
• telephone area code: (+48) 56
• language: standard Polish, no dialect
• elevation: 34,5 - 93 m above sea level • electrical voltage: 230 V • useful phone numbers here • museums: 17 • restaurants in the Old Quarter: some 140 • hotels and other places of accommodation: 43
• universities: 1, other higher education academies: 8
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Toruń tourist attractions | |
Toruń did not suffer damage from the second world war and that's why its urban substance and urban fabric are authentic, the city offers a mixture of Polish and German history.
One could easily spend a full day of solid sightseeing here...if you have time, two or three will pass in a trice. The unique atmosphere of Gothic (>>) is the greatest attraction of Toruń. That is why Toruń is visited by over 1.5 million of tourists each year. It is here where one can find vastGothic cathedrals, magnificent Gothic Old City Town Hall, ruins of the very first in Poland Teutonic Castle, the Gothic Leaning Tower, many Gothic townsmen's housesand preserved city defence walls with Gothic gates and turrets. There are many museums in Toruń and everyone visits Nicolaus Copernicus Museum - the greatest astronomer's and son's of Toruń who moved the Earth and stopped the Sun and the Sky. Not only that about Copernicus - you can find his traces and spirit everywhere. The other peculiarity are the Gingerbread of Toruń of which the city is widely known. They have been baked here since the 14th century in the traditional moulds. Gingerbread was by no means the only speciality of Torunians who, except trade, also dealt with craft. If you like nature, sports and excursions you will find it in the region of Toruń. History lovers should first of all tour the Chelmno Land with its medieval towns, churches and Teutonic castles.
See more - Highlights of Toruń here.
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Region tourist attractions | |
Toruń is located in the very centre of Kuiavia-Pomerania administrative region (voivodeship) and on the border of three historically and geographically differentiated regions (Kuiavia (Kujawy) on the south, the Chełmno Land (Ziemia Chełmińska; part of Pomerania) on the north and the Dobrzyń Land (Ziemia Dobrzyńska) on the east. This enhances the Toruń's attractiveness as a perfect few-days tourist base and makes the city the excellent escapade point into different and very interested historical places associated with Polish history.
So there are such a famous and splendid localities in the vicinity as: • Ciechocinek (famous Polish spa that boasts of unique graduation towers), • Chełmno (medieval town with many superb Gothic historical monuments, beautifully sited on the Vistula's high escarpment),• Golub-Dobrzyń (famous Anna Vasa castle with the Great International Knights' Tournaments),• Kruszwica (one of the oldest and legendary Polish towns),• Biskupin (famous archaeological reservation of the Lusatian Culture settlement (650-550 year BC)),• and many ruins of the Teutonic Order castles and Gothic churches in the Chełmno Land. Moreover there are also good conditions for rest or active tourism, especially in Brodnica Lake District (Pojezierze Brodnickie) with a few interesting nature reserves, Koronowo Lake (Zalew Koronowski), the Tuchola Forests (Bory Tucholskie) and also villages where the relicts of folk architecture and culture extant.
More about tours in Kuiavia-Pomerania region here.
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History of Toruń | ||
Among others Toruń is known for its long and stormy history. In 1231 founded by theTeutonic Order rapidly became the biggest city in the state. It developed into a resilient trade centre of Hanseatic League within a short period of time. Toruń played an important economic and political role in the whole Teutonic State. Nevetherless its people who in majority were of German origin in 1454 started the Polish-Teutonic Thirteen Year War and eventually chose the rule of the Polish kings.
Excluded from the leading position by the Baltic city - Gdańsk, Toruń was able to become a very important centre of culture and science in the age of the Reformation and Renaissance. Then it was Toruń where an international important events of religious and political matters took place. In the 17th and 18th centuries the mainly German Protestant population lived here side by side with the mainly Polish Catholic inhabitants. The contacts resulted in many conflicts. In 1724 a row between the Protestant population and Catholic student of Jesuit college occurred. The outcome of the "Toruń Tumult" captivated the public and politicians' opinion of half of Europe of that time, from Prussia to England…
Click here for more detailed history of Toruń
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Timing your visit | ||
Any time can be the best time to visit Toruń. The peak of the tourist season is May, June, July and August, when the weather is finest. But the city is crowded with tourists, the prices are higher and you have to make a different reservations much in advance. Otherwise the tourist season prepares many extra attractions for the visitors.
And if you are one of the growing numbers who favour off-season travel, you will find the city also attractive with the great number of cultural events going on.
Click here for more information about cultural events.
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Events | ||
A variety of cultural events and festivals are held throughout the year in Toruń, some of international dignity.
Toruń is a city where things happen. Every year sees about 1,500 cultural events; some of them are for the general public while others are usually intended for limited and more discriminating audiences. There is enough variety on offer for everyone to enjoy. The City of Nicolaus Copernicus takes pride in its two professional theatre companies, Symphony Orchestra of Toruń and plenty of museums (including the Contemporary Art Centre). There are several art galleries, cultural centres, cinemas and numerous clubs where concerts and exhibition previews are held.
Here we present only a specimen of Toruń's cultural life.
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Guided Tours & Trips | ||
The professional guides of the Toruń Tourist Service (Toruński Serwis Turystyczny) are specialists to show how to explore the Gothic City of Toruń.
Moreover you can choose from our propositions of some varied guided tour routes. Guide services can be offered in the following languages: Polish, English, German, French, Italian, Portuguese, Russian, Ukrainian, Czech. • For further details click here. Information and reservation: Toruń Tourist Service (Toruński Serwis Turystyczny) tel. (+48) 66 00 61 352e-mail
More on tours and sightseeing here
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Currency | ||
The currency in Poland is złoty (zł or: PLN).
1 zł = 100 groszy (gr). For details on changing money and methods of payment see our Shopping, money and souvenirs here. coins: 1gr, 2gr, 5gr, 10gr, 20gr, 50gr 1zł, 2zł, 5zł; banknotes: 10zł, 20zł, 50zł, 100zł, 200zł. |
Investing | ||
Toruń is an investor-friendly city. This opinion is confirmed by the title of Community Fair Play 2008 which the city was granted during the 7th edition of the competition organized by Institute of Private Enterprise and Democracy. Furthermore, Toruń obtained a certificate and promotional emblem "Community Fair Play" Certified Investment Location. In addition, Toruń City Community certified in 2008 a prestigious and recognizable nationwide promotional emblem "Teraz Polska".
The most important advantages of the city are: favourable geographical location, high quality of job market, good technical infrastructure and, which is crucial – investment-propitious social ambience, regardless the country which the capital comes from.
More about investing in Toruń here.
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Toruń & the United States | ||
The only thing that links Toruń and the USA is its twin city Philadelphia (Polish: Filadelfia) which was the first partner to sign a Partnership Agreement with Toruń. Large Polish community who cultivates traditions of Kosciuszko and Copernicus lives in Philadelphia. In July 1974 a delegation of Americans of Polish origin from Philadelphia visited Toruń and informed city authorities that in August 1973 in the 500th anniversary of the birth of Nicolaus Copernicus his monument was erected on the initiative of Polish community who also financed the building. The delegates handed over a symbolic miniature of the "Bell of Freedom" to the authorities of Toruń and expressed hope that the closer contacts between the to cities would be established. During the celebrations of the 200th anniversary of creation of the United States the place in Philadelphia where the monument of Copernicus stands was called the Toruń Triangle, whereas in March 1976 a street by the Vistula River in Toruń was named Philadelphia Boulevard (Bulwar Filadelfijski). The official agreement of cooperation between the cities was signed in February 1977 during a visit of Toruń's authorities delegation in Philadelphia. On this occasion common features of both cities were emphasized: important historical, scientific and cultural traditions - Toruń was the place of birth of Nicolaus Copernicus, Philadelphia instead was the place of birth of the USA. This is a photo of the Copernicus monument located on the "Toruń Triangle" at the intersection of 18th Street and the Benjamin Franklin Parkway in Philadelphia. It was erected by the proud Philadelphia Polish Community and depicts Copernicus' discovery of the Earth's rotation around the Sun. |
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