We thought we were in for a weekend of last minute carnival sweet delights. What we encountered was much more than that.
Torun surpassed any expectations that we could ever set for it, in every category possible.
History:
The built form of Torun reflects the rich history of this city, fortified by walls and closed off by gates. Miraculously, this town was not destroyed during WWII, meaning that with just a little conservation, the Old Town remains in the original form in which it has been for hundreds of years.
Templar nights, rich mercantile families, and craftsman guilds are all woven into the tapestry of Torun's history. Due to its important location on the Vistula River, and in Europe in general, Torun, historically known as Thorn, was a booming trade city, linking the rest of Poland with Scandinavian and Western European trade routes. It's also a town of religious diversity, this time with a large population of Lutherans, thanks to the prominent German population.
The most important event in Torun's history, most would say, was the birth of astronomer Copernicus- the man who "stopped the Earth and moved the sun" when he shared his theory of the heliocentric model. Now there is a prominent university in Torun bearing his name and the Old Town Square is graced by his likeness- a key point of interest on every tourist's itinerary.
If you are a history nerd, we recommend that you check out the Museum of the History of Torun, located at the Esker House. Extremely well-curated information presented in an easily digestible way. Speaking of digesting…
Cuisine:
For a town the size of Torun, we were awed with the quality and the selection of cafes and restaurants, serving anything from hearty Polish fare, to rustic Italian pizzas and pastas, through cosmopolitan Asian entrees, to Creole dishes. All in beautifully decorated spaces and at fair price points.
Another huge draw to Torun is the sweet local delicacy- gingerbread cookies. Legend has it, that during one of the many sieges of the town of Torun, there was a nun by the name of Katarzyna, (Catherine) who saved the population from starvation by making gingerbread cookies. Now when you see oddly shaped Polish gingerbread cookies which are shaped like square clouds, you know you are about to consume a "katarzynka" ( little Katarzyna).
A more historically probable reason for the emergence of this popular treat was the fertile land around Torun which filled the town granaries to the full, and the abundance of honey in the near countryside. Flour and honey are the main ingredients for "pierniczki" (gingerbread cookies).
Architectural Beauty:
From Gothic cathedrals to renaissance facades, Torun's Old Town is nothing less than breathtaking. It is the Eastern European equivalent of the beautiful villages in Provence or Tuscany. Small, charming, and just the right number of cobblestones and nice lanterns. The Old Square and the streets around it are lined with colourful and ornamental buildings that lend a super comfortable scale for the enthralled tourists and the lucky residents. The style is very variable, from red brick granaries and churches to Dutch inspired facades and Italiante-style finishes. Did I mention that the Old Town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site? And a most impressive one it is too!
Museums, Galleries, Exhibits:
Torun has just the right variety of cultural attractions, meaning that everyone will find something to delight in. As we mentioned before, we loved the Esker House which is home to the Museum of the History of Torun. The art exhibit in the Old City Hall has some real gems in it, in addition to being within some prime real estate. There is not one, but two full museums dedicated to the process of making gingerbread (both which have an interactive component which kids love). There's a gallery of contemporary art, Templar Knight Castle ruins, Nicholas Copernicus's house, the Living Museum of Polish Legends, among other attractions. Clearly, there are things to see and do, even though the historical section of town is relatively small.
Recommended Restaurants:
Check out Chleb i Wino in the Old Town for a great atmosphere and amazing Italian (make reservations- it gets busy on the weekend). For coffee and a treat, stop by Coffee and Whiskey House, a joint which is perfect to visit any time of the day or night. And if you are looking for a budget dinner, you'll never feel like you're compromising if you go to Manekin, right next to the Old Post Office in the Old Town Square.
Go and visit Torun!
Bisouxxx,
B[ZU]
Torun surpassed any expectations that we could ever set for it, in every category possible.
History:
The built form of Torun reflects the rich history of this city, fortified by walls and closed off by gates. Miraculously, this town was not destroyed during WWII, meaning that with just a little conservation, the Old Town remains in the original form in which it has been for hundreds of years.
Templar nights, rich mercantile families, and craftsman guilds are all woven into the tapestry of Torun's history. Due to its important location on the Vistula River, and in Europe in general, Torun, historically known as Thorn, was a booming trade city, linking the rest of Poland with Scandinavian and Western European trade routes. It's also a town of religious diversity, this time with a large population of Lutherans, thanks to the prominent German population.
The most important event in Torun's history, most would say, was the birth of astronomer Copernicus- the man who "stopped the Earth and moved the sun" when he shared his theory of the heliocentric model. Now there is a prominent university in Torun bearing his name and the Old Town Square is graced by his likeness- a key point of interest on every tourist's itinerary.
If you are a history nerd, we recommend that you check out the Museum of the History of Torun, located at the Esker House. Extremely well-curated information presented in an easily digestible way. Speaking of digesting…
Cuisine:
For a town the size of Torun, we were awed with the quality and the selection of cafes and restaurants, serving anything from hearty Polish fare, to rustic Italian pizzas and pastas, through cosmopolitan Asian entrees, to Creole dishes. All in beautifully decorated spaces and at fair price points.
Another huge draw to Torun is the sweet local delicacy- gingerbread cookies. Legend has it, that during one of the many sieges of the town of Torun, there was a nun by the name of Katarzyna, (Catherine) who saved the population from starvation by making gingerbread cookies. Now when you see oddly shaped Polish gingerbread cookies which are shaped like square clouds, you know you are about to consume a "katarzynka" ( little Katarzyna).
A more historically probable reason for the emergence of this popular treat was the fertile land around Torun which filled the town granaries to the full, and the abundance of honey in the near countryside. Flour and honey are the main ingredients for "pierniczki" (gingerbread cookies).
Architectural Beauty:
From Gothic cathedrals to renaissance facades, Torun's Old Town is nothing less than breathtaking. It is the Eastern European equivalent of the beautiful villages in Provence or Tuscany. Small, charming, and just the right number of cobblestones and nice lanterns. The Old Square and the streets around it are lined with colourful and ornamental buildings that lend a super comfortable scale for the enthralled tourists and the lucky residents. The style is very variable, from red brick granaries and churches to Dutch inspired facades and Italiante-style finishes. Did I mention that the Old Town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site? And a most impressive one it is too!
Museums, Galleries, Exhibits:
Torun has just the right variety of cultural attractions, meaning that everyone will find something to delight in. As we mentioned before, we loved the Esker House which is home to the Museum of the History of Torun. The art exhibit in the Old City Hall has some real gems in it, in addition to being within some prime real estate. There is not one, but two full museums dedicated to the process of making gingerbread (both which have an interactive component which kids love). There's a gallery of contemporary art, Templar Knight Castle ruins, Nicholas Copernicus's house, the Living Museum of Polish Legends, among other attractions. Clearly, there are things to see and do, even though the historical section of town is relatively small.
Recommended Restaurants:
Check out Chleb i Wino in the Old Town for a great atmosphere and amazing Italian (make reservations- it gets busy on the weekend). For coffee and a treat, stop by Coffee and Whiskey House, a joint which is perfect to visit any time of the day or night. And if you are looking for a budget dinner, you'll never feel like you're compromising if you go to Manekin, right next to the Old Post Office in the Old Town Square.
Go and visit Torun!
Bisouxxx,
B[ZU]