fot. Piotr Frąckiewicz ISSN 1427-7468 (10-2021-303) The Baj Pomorski Theatre, 9-15 October 2021 Puppet Theatres’Festival “Meetings” XXVII International Gminy Miasta ToruńGminy ze środków finansowana Instytucja Since 1994 FREE

www.amerapol.pl TORUŃ — THINGS TO SEE

 Stare Miasto (The Old Town). A UNESCO World  Fortresses, some are located close to old town, Heritage List site dating back to medieval times. others like the forth fortress are just outside the city.  Nicolaus Copernicus Museum, ul. Koperni-  Motoarena Toruń. The biggest and most modern ka 15–17 (Old Town). Astronomer Nicolaus Coper- purpose build speedway stadium in the world, in use Toruń Plaza is the newest nicus was born in Toruń in 1473. The museum is situ- since 2009. It is one of the sites for FIM Speedway Shopping and Entertainment Center in Toruń, ated in Copernicus’s house which is a pretty building. Grand Prix since 2010. located only 3 km from Toruń Old Town Unfortunately the museum’s “collection” mostly com-  Planetarium Toruń, ul. Franciszkańska 15–21. prises of copies. The Planetarium in Torun was first opened in 1994  Ratusz Staromiejski (Old Town Hall), Rynek Sta- and it is located in a historical tank of the old munic- You will f ind there 120 shops including: romiejski 1 (on Old Town square). One of the most ipal gasworks in the Old Town. Top Fashion brands such as TK Maxx, Zara, H M, beautiful Gothic town halls in Europe. Despite its The Planetarium offers astronomical shows in the & many treasures it is however not too rewarding for screening room under the dome and two interac- Reserved, Massimo Dutti, Bershka, Pull Bear, Stradivarius, Pandora, C A, New Yorker,& Ochnik, foreign visitors as it is almost entirely explained in tive exhibitions: MARS#17 Base and Geodium. Both & Polish. Translations are very sparse or non-existent. exhibitions allow the visitors to perform simple ex- and many others. The Museum consists of Gallery of Gothic art, Exhi- periments thus gaining knowledge on the world Kids’ stores: Smyk, 5;10;15. bition of old Toruń 1233–1793, Exhibition of Toruń around us. coins, Court hall, Hall of Polish kings etc. Climb the  Krzywa Wieża (The Leaning Tower), ul. Pod Krzy- Restaurants cafes: McDonalds, Pizza Dominium, tower for a beautiful view! wą Wieżą. Part of old Toruń defense wall system built SSubway, North& Fish, Sushi Street, Costa Coffee,  Baj Pomorski Theater (Teatr Baj Pomorski), in the 13th century. Poor foundations led the tower to Grycan and many more. Piernikarska 9. substantially lean at an angle soon after its construc-  Cathedral of SS. Johns (Katedra Świętych Janów), tion. It’s customary to see if you can stand with your Electronics: Media Expert, RTVEuroAGD, Rebel Electro, ul. Żeglarska. Gothic church where astronomer Nico- feet against the wall and your arms outstretched in X-kom. laus Copernicus was christened. On its tower hangs front of you (hint: it’s pretty much impossible!) Tuba Dei bell from 1500, one of the largest Medieval  Dwór Artusa (Artus Court), Rynek Staromiejski Sportswear: SportsDirect, Martes Sport, 4F, Sizeer, 50 style. bells in Europe. 6. Monumental building on the place of medieval Manicure, Beauty Studio.  Medieval Granaries. View from left bank of the Artus Court in the end of 19th century. Now it hosts River. Excellent panorama from left bank of cultural center. Cinema City with 8 cinema halls.  the river Vistula. Ethnographic Museum. An open-air museum Lucky Star - bowling.b  Museum of Toruń Gingerbread ul. Strumykowa showing the folk architecture of many regions of Po- 4. The Museum is located in a former gingerbread land. Includes a windmill. Go-karts racing track. factory of Gustav Weese in 4 Strumykowa Street. It is a place where the history has the smell and the taste Open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week fitness club - City Fit. of gingerbread adventure! Supermarket - Lidl.  The Living Museum of Gingerbread ul. Rabiańs- ka 9. The Living Museum of Gingerbread was estab- lished in 2006 and it is located just a short walk from The Nicolas Copernicus Monument. In the middle Address: Opening hours: of the Old Town you can discover how gingerbread Broniewskiego Street 90, Toruń Monday-Sunday 09:00-21:00 was baked in Medieval Times and even try to bake Free car park with over 1100 spaces one in traditional wooden molds yourself. Once you SMS 691999194 tackle with medieval style baking, you are ready to fly to 20th century and see original machinery. There is also an option for gingerbread decoration workshop. ,Te visit in the Museum is fun and joy for everyone regardless of age.  Teutonic Castle Ruins ul. Przedzamcze. An outdoor museum. The castle is almost completely destroyed except for one tower and a dungeon that Zrzeszenie Transportu ul. Konopackich 3 you can set foot on. Toruń Published by: Amera-Pol sp. z o.o., ul. Rabiańska 20, 87-100 Toruń tel. +48 603 607 555 • www.amerapol.pl • [email protected] Torun Tourist and Business Guide all rights reserved. Reproductions in whole or in part are prohibited. AMERA-POL sp. z o. o. should not be held responsible for the contents of the advertisements.

Subsidized by the Polish Development Fund (PFR S.A.) under the government program www.torun-plaza.pl “The Financial Shield 2.0 for Small and Medium-sized enterprises and for Micro-businesses” TORUŃ MUSEUMS

 Old City Town Hall (District Museum)  Teutonic Knights’ Castle Ruins Rynek Staromiejski 1 ul. Przedzamcze 3 This monumental building with magnificent interiors The area of the castle remnants comprises the main is one of the greatest town halls in Europe. Its models castle ruins with cellars and Gdanisko Tower. It was are to be sought in Flanders with which Torun — as the very first castle of the Teutonic Knights from Hansa town — had close commercial relations. The which the colonization of pagan Prussians and crea- Town Hall is worth seeing not only because of its in- tion of Teutonic state started. The castle was the res- teriors and history but also because of the precious idence of a Teutonic Commander. It was destroyed exhibits of the District Museum that is housed here. in 1454 during the burgher uprising against the Teu- The entrance is in the southern wing right opposite tonic Knights. the Arthus’ Mansion.  Tony Halik Explorers’ Museum  Nicholas Copernicus House ul. Franciszkańska 9/11 it reaches beyond any fixed, closed group of artists by ul. Kopernika 15/17 The collections are devoted to famous Torun’s traveler constantly searching for young authors. Thus, it fo- The Nicolas Copernicus Museum is the biographical — Tony Halik and his trips keepsakes. Born for ad- cuses on promotion and experimentation. museum of the most eminent Torun’s citizen. It is locat- venture’ exposition is situated on two floors of the old For more information visit: http://wozownia.pl/en/ ed in two beautiful Gothic houses: in his family house granary house. The permanent exhibition includes Has been around since 1950. Not much of the doc- (No. 17; exposition devoted only to Copernicus) and the biographic part devoted to the globetrotter as well umentation from the early expositions has survived till today. Although it is known that all Toruń-based adjoined neighboring patrician house (No. 15; expo- as many travel exhibits. artists presented their works here. sition of the interiors of a typical medieval merchant The nature of the Gallery has been changing along house). Obviously it is the most popular museum in  Museum of Toruń Gingerbread with the changes in art and in the functioning of an Torun. The excellent supplement is the model of 15th art institution, as well as in the organization of life – century Torun with sound-and-light program. ul. Strumykowa 4 not only cultural life, but also social life in general. The Museum is located in a former gingerbread fac- The history of art has gone in such a direction that tory of Gustav Weese in 4 Strumykowa Street. It is the gallery, from being a place of art presentation, has  The Star House a place where the history has the smell and the taste become a place of art creation. Rynek Staromiejski 35 of gingerbread adventure! It is here where you can At present, Wozownia displays works of famous The Star House is one of the most sumptuous and see the famous gingerbread molds, old stoves in artists, yet it is mostly a place for exhibiting young Wozownia Art Gallery is located in the old Prussian best preserved Baroque patrician houses in Central which gingerbread cookies were baked, you can feel talents. This is why the Gallery in Toruń has such artillery coach house. The greatest asset of Wozow- a unique status among the Polish art institutions. nia is its characteristic exposition space that makes it and Northern Europe. The facade (richly decorated the smell of spices and listen to the amazing legends It does not consolidate a once-established hierarchy: possible to display unusual projects. with fruit-and-flower stucco ornamentation), the and stories. The visit cannot be without gingerbread layout and the interiors (richly carved timber stairs, workshop where you will be able to form your own painted timber ceilings etc.) have preserved the char- traditional, real Toruń gingerbread… acteristic features of Northern European patrician TORUŃ'S BIGGEST residence typical of 18th century.  Etnographic Park and Museum JEWELLERY STORE Wały Gen. W. Sikorskiego 19  The Eskens’ House Ethnographic Museum consists of: former 19th jewellery • gold ul. Łazienna 16 century artillery arsenal, exhibition pavilion, am- silver • amber The museum consists of 2 separate departments of phitheater and the ­Ethnographic Park. The richest watches the District Museum: the Archaeology and the Histo- collection of maritime and inland old fishery in- diamonds ry. The seat of the museum is the impressive house of struments is housed here. The Museum is also the the Renaissance patrician family — the Eskens. As in owner of one of the greatest in collections VISIT US the 19th century the house was rebuilt nowadays the of contemporary folk art and the village handicraft. Old City superb entrance portal is the only remnant of the for- The Ethnographic Park covers the area of 1.7 ha. 2 Chełmińska Street mer decoration. The richly carved sandstone portal This “country in the city center” is a unique tourist Copernicus is attributed to Willem van den Blocke — a famous attraction. Shopping Center Renaissance sculpture. The oldest Tavern in Poland Legendary place Visited by Napoleon and the King Jan Olbracht!

RYNEK STAROMIEJSKI - WIELKIE GABRARY - BARWNA WYSZYŃSKIEGO - CHABROWA

@lenkiewicz.torun @cafe_lenkiewicz

 Makowiec – Poppy-seed cake POLISH DESSERTS Poppy-seed cake, also known as poppy seed loaf, is a traditional Polish dessert – a yeast cake with a dense is known for its savory dishes, but it also swirl of slightly sweetened poppy seeds in the center. boasts of array of sweet dishes with unusual ingredients Raisins, almonds or walnuts are the most typical addi- such as rose jam, cheese and poppy seeds. tions. The baked cake is decorated with icing and or-  Szarlotka – apple pie ange peel. Apple pie is a year-round Polish favorite. There are  Napoleonka – Cream Pie hundreds of apple pie recipes. Today, Polish apple pies Napoleonka is a Polish type of cream pie. It is made usually have a half-crisp or crisp base. There are raisins, of two layers of puff , filled with whipped cream, cinnamon and cloves inside. It’s a regular on the des- creamy butter cream ( cream) and is usually sert menus of cafes and restaurants, and is sometimes sprinkled with powdered sugar. Kremówka was popu- served warm with whipped cream. larized across Poland by the late Pope John Paul II, who  Sernik – cheesecake was fond of the traditional kremówka. Cheesecake is one of the most popular desserts in Po- land. A sweet curd cheese (which resembles cottage cheese, quark or ricotta) is its main ingredient. Sernik dates back to the 19th century, and there are many dif- GINGERBREAD ferent ways of making it. The best known is a cheese- cake baked in the oven and made on a layer of a crum- bly cake, although there are also cheesecakes prepared BEER without baking. In most cases raisins, fruits, a crumble topping or chocolate sauce are stock additions.  Ciasta drożdżowe – Yeast cakes Krajina Piva bake a lot with yeast. Babka drożdżowa is a tall, TORUN, airy unkneaded yeast cake baked in a Bundt pan. Offers the biggest selection of beers in the region. The French have their and pains au choco- RYNEK late, the Poles have drożdżówki – sweet buns with dif- NOWOMIEJSKI 8 Every day 16 fresh draft beers. ferent fillings: poppy seeds, cottage cheese, pudding or seasonal fruit. 10th International Printmaking Triennial: The “Colour in Graphics” Triennial is the longest-running “Colour in Graphic Art” artistic event organised regularly by the Wozownia Art Gal- 15 Szczytna Street, 87-100 Toruń Mon-Thurs - 11.00-23.00 lery. Held since the early 1980s, its character has evolved tel. 797 903 333 Fri-Sat - 11.00-24.00 September 10–October 31, 2021 over time, but the main objective has remained the same: Sun - 11.00-22.00 the exhibitions are to present the leading trends in artistic [email protected] Galeria Sztuki Wozownia, ul. Ducha Świętego 6 graphics, providing a platform for exhibiting artworks by curated by: Mirosław Pawłowski artists from Poland and abroad, and space for discussions on specific aspects of graphics and its place in contempo- rary art. The intention was to create a regularly organised event that would be significant for the artistic life of the country. And indeed, this is what happened: the successive editions demonstrated that Toruń exhibitions provided not only excellent opportunities to become familiar with the current trends and directions espoused by Polish graphic artists, but also to create space for interaction between the artists themselves and the interested public. Each edition of the event was envisaged to deal with the roles and functions of colour. This year’s edition of “Colour in Graphics” is, above all, a celebration of Polish colourful graphic art, created in various techniques, representing various tendencies and artistic attitudes. Juxtaposing the works of the masters of the 1970s and 1980s with those of the acclaimed artists, who still have a lot to say, and their younger colleagues proves, once again, that graphic art is a reflection of its time, and colour is not only a source of sensual and aesthetic experience, a medium of informa- tion transfer, or a factor that creates an atmosphere, but also, above all else, a contributor to meaning-making. The JAN OLBRACHT OLD CITY BREWERY is the only one restaurant in Toruń diversity of techniques, formats, and, above all, concepts with micro beer equipment. Beer is brewed on location. Guests can enjoy Polish proves that graphic art is an unbelievably alive discipline, dishes with elements of Bavarian cuisine and craft brewed beer. not confined to stiff frames and rules; one which surprises with fresh ideas and their realisations. BEER IN POLAND has been brewed for well followed. Three companies now control 80% of the over a thousand years and has a significant history of Polish beer market (according to data at the end of Self-guided tours of Toruń! tradition and commercial beer production. Poland is 2014). At the end of 2018, there were 318 breweries Handheld portable mp3 player with a recorded multilingual spoken commentary can be Europe’s third largest beer producer, producing 36.9 in Poland, including microbreweries and contracted rented on the spot at Toruń Tourist Information Center, located at Rynek Staromiejski 25, million hectoliters, coming after the UK with 49.5 breweries. during opening hours (see ad below). million hl and with 103 million hl. Since 2011, craft beer has become more and more 10 PLN for 4 hours • 15 PLN for 24 hours. Following the Second World War most breweries popular each year. Craft brewers brew beer in many Refundable deposit of 50 PLN and a valid ID is required. were nationalized. After the collapse of communism different styles. In 2017 the number of breweries in Toruń mp3 Audio Guide provides background, context, and information on the things being a market economy was introduced, international beer Poland exceeded 200. viewed. It contains description of 21 biggest attractions of The Old Town, several legends, companies moved in and a period of consolidation Source: https://en.wikipedia.org invitations to “must see” locations and original music performed by Toruń musicians. Pre-war Recipes! Live Music

ul. Kopernika 23 tel. 56 4708957

A SHORT GUIDE TO POLISH FOOD

If you want to try traditional Polish cuisine, stop Golonka w piwie: fat, but tasty pork knuckle, counting your calories. Typical meals are very hearty sometimes in beer sauce, always with horseradish; and often contain a lot of meat. very traditional, originally from . Kotlet schabowy: traditional breaded pork cutlet. Traditional Polish dishes include: Pierogi: very traditional white dumplings, larger than ravioli, filled with sauerkraut with mushrooms, Zrazy zawijane: beef rolls stuffed with bacon, cheese and potatoes or with fruit. They can be also gherkin and onion or red pepper, in a spicy sauce. with meat (z mięsem). Bigos: appetizing, seasoned “hunter” stew made Chłodnik litewski: cold yoghurt-and-beetroot from sauerkraut with chunks of various meats and soup served with a hard boiled egg, originally from sausages, extremely traditional. Lithuania. Gołąbki: cabbage parcels originally from Lithuania, Barszcz czerwony: refreshing beetroot soup served they are stuffed with meat or meat and rice. clear or with a piece of meat pastry. Szaszłyk: originally Caucasian dish; Żurek: sour (fermented) rye soup with potato, chunks of meat grilled on a spit. sausage or an egg, often served in a bread loaf. Zupa grzybowa: mushroom soup with cream. Flaki wołowe: beef tripe soup.

UKRAINIAN RESTAURANT UL. MOSTOWA 3 • TEL. 888 302 350 @KozackiePierogi POLISH MUSHROOMS Mushroom-picking remains a national pastime in To Poles, the king of mushrooms is the borowik (Bo- Poland. In a good season, when the weather is right, letus edulis), commonly known in English as King a family can gather enough for the entire year. What Bolete. Its Polish name is derived from bór (conif- isn’t used at once is canned, brine-cured, pickled, or erous forest) and aptly defines its preferred nat- dried for the months ahead. ural habitat. It is also referred to at times as grzyb prawdziwy (true mushrooms) or prawdziwek, im- Golden Polish Autumn is the beloved period of the plying that all other species are definitely inferior. mushroom pickers of Poland. This competitive activi- But many feel the fresh butter-fried rydz (Lactarius ty has never stopped being practised in the dense for- deliciosus) equals the fresh boletus in taste or comes ests across the country, as rich in various edible spe- in a close second. It must have been a dissenter cies of the fungi kingdom as the mushroom-related among those incorrigibly individualistic Poles that vocabulary of an average Pole is. Awarded with bas- coined the saying: „Lepszy rydz niz nic” (a milky cap kets full of aromatic capped trophies, wild mushroom is better than nothing). picking integrates whole families as perfectly among the rustling trees, as at the table where plates full of Other desirable species include pieczarka (cham- mushroom-stuffed pierogi are later served. pignon), kurka (chanterelle), maślak (sticky bun), gąska (Tricholoma), gołąbek (Russula), and kania Fresh mushrooms are delicious in soups and stews as (parasol mushroom). Although the smardz (morel) is well as scrambled eggs, and dried mushrooms are in also picked in Poland, it is ranked as a mediocre find, a class by themselves. They greatly enhance the flavor since there are many species that equal or surpass it in soups, gravies, and sauerkraut dishes, including in taste. In the U.S., by contrast, morels are among the bigos, which is known as Poland’s national dish. In- most highly prized wild species. The boletus family terestingly enough, the characteristic feature of Pol- also includes the koźlarz babka (birch bolete). They ish cuisine is that it regards mushrooms as not only are ranked fair to good but cannot compete with the a garnish or flavoring. Both fresh, wild and domestic, King Bolete. Marketed in Poland as an economy ver- Paid Parking Zones in Torun cultivated mushrooms as well as the reconstituted dry sion of the latter, is the podgrzybek (Boletus chrys-  Toruń city center is a paid parking zone. It is divided into plan to park often for longer periods in a paid zone. These variety are often a meal in themselves, usually sautéed enteron) which grows in great abundance but is defi- three parking zones: ŚSPP, A and B. Zone ŚSPP comprises simple applications enable purchasing actual parking time in butter or simmered in sour cream. nitely inferior to the real thing. the heart of the Old Town, zone A covers the remaining part by the means of a cell phone. of the Old Town, and zone B stretches to the outskirts of the  Source: Polish Heritage Cookery city center. Parking fees in zones A and B apply on weekdays If your ticket is invalid or you don’t have any you will get 8.00-18.00. In zone ŚSPP charges apply also on Saturdays a penalty fee. It will be calculated from the moment of the by Robert and Maria Strybel. 9.00-18.00. On Sunday parking is free in all the zones. Buy penalty ticket’s hour of issue to the moment it is paid in the a ticket at the ticket vending machine. First you must type in parking Client Office at 21/23 Wały Gen. Sikorskiego Street. your license plate number; this is necessary to be able to ex- You can also pay your fine using the vending machine. The tend parking time later using different vending machine, i.e. system is available in tn located in another part of town. You can also install Mobilet three languages: Polish, ŚSPP zone: – 30 min. 2.00 zl or mobiParking application on your mobile phone if you English and German. – 60 min. 5.00 zl – second hour 6.00 zl DISABLED MOTORISTS stricted road or zone, but we advise that – third hour 7.20 zl • Poland has adopted the European Mo- you inquire locally first. The 4 and every del Parking Card. • In some areas, you may park free-of- next hour 5.00 zl Parking spaces: -charge and without time limit on a road A zone: • Those reserved for a Parking Card hol- where payment is required, but only in – 30 min. 1.20 zl der are marked with the wheelchair a space marked with the wheelchair – 60 min. 3.00 zl symbol. symbol — check the parking signs or – second hour 3.60 zl • Do not park if the space is marked is ask locally. – third hour 4.20 zl The 4 and every crossed out or has someone’s name or • You may park without time limit on next hour 3.00 zl a license plate number. a road where parking is free but restric- ted by time charges: Parking B zone: Parking on roads – 30 min. 0.60 zl • Do not park on a road where parking is Parking in car parks – 60 min. 1.50 zl prohibited. • Generally, there are no concessions for – second hour 1.80 zl • Do not park in a pedestrian zone unless a vehicle displaying the Parking Card, – third hour 2.10 zl the traffic signs allow it. but local variations can apply — check The 4 and every • You may be permitted to drive into a re- the car park notices or ask an attendant. next hour 1.50 zl Desserts

Breakfast Every day breakfast 1 PLN by 8.30 with purchase of any coffee

OPEN: Sunday-Wednesday 7.30-19.00 Thursday-Saturday 7.30-22.00 Dinners & Burgers Toruń’s first Cat Cafe! A relaxing feline oasis in the center of Toruń! Neko Cafe provides a sanctuary for happiness-inducing, inter-species bonding. Come in, pause for a while, enjoy peaceful time with kitty companions and some delicious coffee and cake!

SUPERB TRADITIONAL POLISH CUISINE ul. Prosta 17, Toruń • tel. 537 003 117 find us Handmade gelato

RESTAU N RA IA N D T N I O

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Open daily 12.00 -23.00 located in the heart of the Old Town find us ul. Prosta 19, 87-100 Toruń ul. Szeroka 37 tel. 56 65 22 333 tel. +48 607 664 422 www.royalindia.pl approx. 4€ by taxi Gadgets, tasting, wine bar, glasses, decanters, specialty STORE & WINE BAR store, coffee, alcohols

The International Puppet Theatres’ Festival “Meetings” is Leaning Tower of Toruń a festival, which in its convention, construction, charac- XXVII International ter of the means of stage expression belongs to the broadly ne of the square (red brick) towers on the main fortifi- understood puppet theater and the art of animation. The Puppet Theatres’ Festival Ocations, facing the river, is leaning at a crazy angle (the first edition took place in 1994. Until 2007, the festival was Polish Pisa). There it stands, without any sign or fanfare – called The International Toruń Meeting of Puppet Theat- ”Meetings” and it is inhabited on two floors! ers. In 2008, the modified name of the event and the new The Leaning Tower of Toruń was built in the 13th cen- logo were introduced. tury in order to defend the town. It was built of red brick. It started leaning because it was built on loamy ground. The 27th edition of the festival has taken the slogan: “Let’s In the 18th century it ceased to be used for defensive pur- talk!”. The pandemic times caused social isolation, unabled poses. The tower was then converted into a women’s prison. In the 19th century, it housed a blacksmith’s shop and an interpersonal contacts, caused feeling of loneliness, caused apartment for a gunsmith. At this time, the Gothic tented many fears and questions. We want to “talk” about those roof was replaced by a pitched roof. issues by performing art. Some legends are associated with the Leaning Tower of Toruń, which are narrated by tour guides to visitors. In this year there will be a possibility to watch such the- atres, like: Theather Radost from Czech Republic, Karol The sin of the Teutonic : Spišák’s Old Theatre in Nitra (Slovakia), Teatr Animacji In the tower, there lived 12 knights of the, Order of Teu- (Poznań, Poland), Teatr Lalki i Aktora w Łomży (Poland) tonic Knights who were forbidden to meet with women. or Teatr Arlekin (Łódź, Poland). The spectacles are intend- However, one monk fell in love with the daughter of a rich ed both for children and youth and adults. merchant, and met her in secret, thus breaking the monas- tic rule of the Order. The residents of the town discovered The “Baj Pomorski” Theatre this and reported them to the commander and the city au- Piernikarska 9 Street, 87- 100 Toruń thorities. Both lovers were fined, the woman was sentenced Secretariat: Phone: +48 56 652 24 24 to 25 lashes, and the knight was ordered to build a tower. e-mail: [email protected] However, the tower had to be tilted, in the same way as his conduct had deviated from the monastic rule. To this day, TICKETS: legend has it that those who have sinned are not able to e-mail: [email protected] keep their balance under the tower. e-mail: [email protected] Source: https://en.wikipedia.org Solaris is a boutique hotel merging two tenement buildings dating back to XVII and XIX centuries Stylish Hotel 23 rooms (3 luxury rooms), 2 restaurants. Equipped with a lift/elevator. and Restaurant located in one A conference room and a VIP room. Situated in the very heart of the oldest Gothic of the Old Town. tenement houses 42 luxurious in the Old Town 42 luxurious roomsrooms 2 luxurious suites StylishStylish RestaurantRestaurant FullyFully equippedequipped conference roomsrooms

ul. Piekary 20 tel. +48 56 658 40 00 [email protected] www.hotel-gotyk.com.pl ul. Panny Marii 9, 87-100 Toruń • tel. +48 471 30 42, +48 605 048 185 e-mail: [email protected] • www.hotel-solaris.pl Toruń – Gingerbread Town from Gdańsk, Antoni van Obberghen added another Toruń Town Hall ­storey to the Town Hall, enlarged window orifices and placed Renaissance towers in corners of the building. Pierniki Toruńskie, as they are known in their ightseeing tour of Toruń should begin from the 40 At that time the main tower received a pavilion roof country of origin, form a part of the symbols of the m tall Old Town Hall Tower. It is quite a walk to and four corner turrets. The interior of the Town Hall national cuisine of Poland. They were also tradition- Sthe top, but once you get there, you will be able to was completely rebuilt and decorated with multiple ally given as a gift by the city of Toruń to Polish lead- see a bird's eye view of the old town. You can also splendid portals. In 1703, during a siege by Swedish ers, artists and other Poles who have marked them- see Toruń’s skyline through the telescope. In case of army, the Town Hall was seriously devastated, mainly selves in Polish society. In the past they were also bad weather the tower is closed. Tickets are available due to an outbreak of fire. Reconstruction lasted sev- given to Polish kings. at the booking office in the museum, which is open eral years and the present shape of the Town Hall is There are two main producers of Toruń ginger- from 10 a.m. Till 8.00 p.m. Admission is 12 PLN. mainly the effect of work carried out in the first half bread: the factory “Kopernik” S.A., and Toruń Town Hall belongs to the most spectacu- of the XVIII century. After the Second World War the Toruń . The first upholds its legal rights to lar achievements of medieval urban architecture in a District Museum was opened in the Town Hall. the brand name and is the successor to a company Europe. In XIII century, in the Old Town Market of that was founded in 1763 by Johann Weese. The sec- dimensions 109×104 m, the following detached com- Toruń is famous for its gingerbread cookies (“pierni- ond company was formed by Toruń bakers who spe- mercial and administrative buildings were erected: ki”) which are made in all sorts of shapes — hearts be- cialized in producing gingerbread; its aim is to spread cloth halls, bread , a city scales, a court and ing a favorite — and are attractively packaged, includ- knowledge of the craft and to produce fine ginger- a marketplace tower of 23 m in height. In late XIV ing in boxes looking like some of the historic houses. bread for restaurants, parties and elite meetings. century Toruń received a privilege to build a Town They are said to have been made since the town’s 13C Source: https://en.wikipedia.org Hall from the Grand Master of the Order of Teuton- founding, from a recipe that remains a secret. ic Knights. In place of the above-mentioned build- Toruń gingerbread (English: pierniki toruńskie, ings, a new single-storey rectangular Town Hall of German: Thorner Lebkuchen) is a traditional Polish dimensions 43.7×52.4 m was erected. It boasted an gingerbread that has been produced since the Middle internal courtyard and a tower (already existing), Ages in Toruń. which was elevated to its contemporary height (40 m) A considerable factor behind the development of and merged into the Town Hall architectonic struc- gingerbread-making in Toruń was its excellent loca- ture by a builder named Andrzej. In the beginning tion. Situated on high-quality soil, the area provided of the XVII century municipal authorities decided fine wheat for flour, while nearby villages provided that the Town Hall should be enlarged. An architect honey. TORUŃ’S HISTORICAL TIMELINE  1230–1231 — The Teutonic Knights built a castle  1660 — During a dispute in the Academic Gym- in the vicinity of the Polish settlement. nasium the rightness of the heliocentric theory is  1233 — The Teutonic Knights confirmed for the first time in Poland. 18th century and Hermann Balk signed the foundation charters About 50 percent of the populace, especially the gen- for Thorn and Chełmno. try and middle class, are German-speaking Protes-  1264 — New Town was founded. tants, while the other 50 percent are Polish speaking  1280 — The city joined the mercantile Hanseat- Roman Catholics. Protestant influence is subsequent- ic League, and thus became an important medieval ly pushed back after the Tumult of Thorn of 1724. trade center. The Tumult of Thorn (Toruń), also called Blood-  1280 — The Old Town of Toruń becomes a signif- Bath of Thorn (Polish: Tumult toruński) refers to ex- icant member of the Hanseatic League of medieval ecutions ordered in 1724 by the supreme court under cities. The archives of the so-called Prussian chapter Augustus II the Strong of Saxony. During a religious of the Hanse are kept in the Old Town Hall. At that conflict between Protestant townsfolk represented time Toruń ranks among Europe’s leading commer- by mayor Johann Gottfried Rösner, and the Roman cial centers. In the late 14th century the town enjoys Catholic students of the Jesuit college in the city of a period of dynamic growth and prosperity. Trade Thorn (Toruń) in Royal , the college had been prospers and art considerably develops. The popula- vandalized by a crowd of German Protestants. The tion of Toruń reaches 13,000. mayor and nine other Lutheran officials were blamed  1411 — The First Peace Treaty of Toruń. The town for neglect of duty, sentenced to death, and executed is returned to the Teutonic Knights. on 7 December 1724.  1440 — The gentry of Thorn formed the Prus-  1793 — The Second Partition of Poland. Prus- sian Confederation, and in 1454 rose with the Con- sian troops enter Toruń — the end of its autonomous federation against the Monastic state of the Teutonic burghers’ republic. The town loses its independence Knights in the Thirteen Years’ War. After almost 200 and autonomy. years, New and Old Town amalgamated in 1454. The  1807 — Toruń receives a status of a major city. Poles destroyed the Teutonic castle. The Thirteen  1815 — The Congress of Vienna hands Toruń over Years’ War ended in 1466 with the Second Peace of to Prussia (until 1920) to serve as a frontier garrison. Thorn, in which the ceded their con-  1918 — Toruń is incorporated to Poland as the trol over western provinces, henceforth Royal Prus- capital city of the Pomeranian Province (Voivode- sia. Toruń became part of Kingdom of Poland. ship).  1466 — The Second Treaty of Toruń is signed.  1939 — Nazi Germany annexes the city after the The Thirteen Years’ War formally ends. Royal Prus- in 1939, and administers it as part sia (Vistula Pomerania with Grańsk, Chełmno Land of Danzig-. with Toruń and the Vistula Lowlands with Elbląg)  1945 — Toruń is taken by the Red Army. As be- and are incorporated to the Polish Kingdom. fore the war, it is returned to Poland.  1473 — Nicholas Copernicus, a future astrono-  1945 — Establishment of the first and largest aca-  SUNGLASSES  EYEGLASSES  CONTACT LENSES mer, mathematician, economist and the author of demic institution – Nicolaus Copernicus University. the revolutionary „De revolutionibus orbium coeles-  1975 — Torun Voivodeship appears on the ad- tium” is born in Toruń. ministrative map of Poland. Optometria Karczewski • ul. Szczytna 6  1557 — During the Protestant Reformation, the  1997 — Toruń is included on the UNESCO World Galeria Optyczna • Rynek Nowomiejski 25 city adopts Protestantism, while most Polish cities re- Natural and Cultural Heritage List. main Roman Catholic. Optometria Karczewski KIDS • Rynek Nowomiejski 25  1594 — The protestant Gymnasium of Toruń is raised to the rank of an academic institution. First at- www.optometriakarczewski.pl tempts are made to create a university. years, ensures the highest-quality productions. Per- THEATERS in TORUŃ formances of Wilam Horzyca Theater are presented at many Polish and international festivals. Owing to Nicholas Copernicus and the extensive repertoire-stage offer and its openness, the Toruń theater occupies a significant position on the Copernican Revolution Polish theatrical map. Since 1991 Wilam Horzyca Theater has been Nicholas Copernius was a Renaissance man who the organizer of the International Theater Festival overcame the existing paradigm placing earth in ­CONTACT. Every year in the last week of May in the center of the solar system to the new paradigm ­Toruń, theaters from around the world are presented. of a heliocentric view that earth and the planets Teatr im. Wilama Horzycy w Toruniu revolved around the sun. Plac Teatralny 1 • www.teatr.torun.pl Toruń is the birthplace of Nicholas Copernicus. The 12999 Toruń asteroid is named after the city. The Kujawsko-Pomorski Music Theater was estab- lished in 2013 and started working on January 2014. The Earth Moves The first premiere – musical spectacle TheParry ­ Sis- by Nicholas Copernicus ters – took place on 13 June 2014 r. On the Revolutions of the Heavenly Bodies The theater not only produces its own musical (1543) THE BAJ POMORSKI THEATRE fot. Piotr Frąckiewicz spectacle for children and adults but also organizes The consensus of many centuries Baj Pomorski is the only puppet theater company in concerts, recitals, exhibitions and artistic workshops this part of Poland. The Actor’s and Puppet Theater for youth. has sanctioned the conception has been active in Toruń since 1945. From the very The theater is situated at the Dąmbski Palace in that the earth remains at rest beginning it mainly focused on young audiences who Torun (Żeglarska 8 Street) – residence of the Dąmb- in the middle of the heaven were and still are given a chance to experience the ski family. It was remodeled in the Baroque style in as its center would, beauty of the world of fairy tales, fables and legends. 1693, by Kujavian Bishop Stanisław Dąmbski. The I reflected, The company does not limit themselves to perfor- building remained in the hands of the Dąmbski fam- regard it as an insane pronouncement mances for children, however. A very important share ily up until the end of the eighteenth century, serv- if I made the opposite assertion ing as a holiday residence during summer fairs and of the present repertory is targeted at adolescent and that the earth moves. adult audiences. Every year the Baj holds the Interna- winter carnival. Today, it is one of the few surviving examples of Baroque style decor in Torun. By long and intense study tional Puppet Theater Festival and co-organizes the I finally found National Festival of One-Man Theater Shows. The Amazing historic place, intimate atmosphere and that if the motions new building of the Baj Pomorski, which opened in a lot of good music – that is what you can surely find 2006, is considered one of the most interesting theat- in Musical Theater in Torun! Check our repertoire of the other planets er buildings in Poland: the design was nominated for and come visit us! are correlated with the orbiting of the earth, the TVP Kultura Award in the category of Culture for Kujawsko-Pomorski Children and Adolescents. Thanks to the thorough Impresaryjny Teatr Muzyczny w Toruniu and are computed overhaul and modernization it underwent recently, Rynek Nowomiejski 28 • www.teatrmuzyczny.torun.pl for the revolution of each planet, the building’s potential for new solutions in theater not only do their phenomena making as well as conducting educational activities follow therefrom has improved considerably. The novel technical and but also the order and size electro-acoustic solutions the building offers enable of all the planets and spheres, the company to create performances in which state- and heaven itself of-the-art multimedia techniques and innovative is so linked together stage-set design ideas can be employed. Baj Pomorski company members participate in many projects and that in no portion of it social programs, including those for the disabled. can anything be shifted without disrupting Teatr Baj Pomorski the remaining parts Piernikarska 9 • www.bajpomorski.art.pl and the universe as a whole. Astronomy is written for astronomers. Wilam Horzyca Theater is the biggest and the finest To them my work too will seem, theater in Toruń. The building of the theater in Toruń unless I am mistaken, was erected in 1904. For 16 years it was only the Ger- to make some contribution. man stage. In 1920, the theater was taken over by the professional Polish team. The Opening of the Nation- Source: www.ian.umces.edu al Theater in Toruń was held on November 28, 1920. Excellent and stable acting staff, composed over the you drink and drive heavy truck (two years in • Poland is notorious for narrow, bumpy roads full PRACTICAL INFO prison). Permissible level is 0.2 ml alcohol in of heavy trucks and speeding drivers. Avoid na- ON CYCLING IN POLAND 1 liter blood (0.2 per mill). tional roads and all thoroughfares if possible. • Bike theft: bicycles do get stolen in Poland. Use Toruń is a perfect base for bicycle trips to Old Vis- No driving permit is required to cycle on public reliable U-lock and trust no one. Most of bikes tula Valley, Chełmińskie Lake Region or Bydgoska roads in Poland if you are 18 years or older. Children in Poland get stolen from inside buildings, Forest. A majority of Toruń streets, with the excep- older than 10 years, unless accompanied by adults, where people keep them day or night, but theft tion of Szeroka Street and Królowej Jadwigi Street, are required to wear a pass (“karta rowerowa”). and even robbery happens in streets, too. are accessible for cyclists. You can also use rent- ing bike points located on the Vistula river bank. • Bicycle must be fitted with red reflector visible • Police: do not expect the police to understand Always keep in mind pedestrians always have the from behind and position lights in front and at (or speak) any foreign language. Reporting a bi- right of way there. the rear. cycle theft (or any theft, mishap, crime etc.) may • Drinking and cycling is a crime in Poland. You well take up to six hours, or more. Your possible Please, check the maps below presenting the most may be sentenced up to one year in prison just perfect knowledge of Polish or aid of an inter- popular cycling routes. The detailed descriptions of for cycling intoxicated. It is almost the same if preter will not help. the routes are provided on the next page.

Route to Ostromecko Route to Route to Chełmża Route to Nieszawka Route to Kępa Route to Bydgoskie 1 2 3 4 5 Bazarowa 6 Przedmieście Toruń (Old Town Square) – Toruń (Old Town Square) – Toruń (Old Town Square) – Toruń (Old Town Square) – Unisław – Ostromecko – Toruń Ciechocinek – Nieszawa – Chełmża – Pigża Nieszawka Toruń (Old Town Square) – Toruń (Old Town Square) – Osiek nad Wisłą – Toruń scenic point on Kępa Bazarowa Bydgoskie Przedmieście Distance: 80 km Distance: 77 km Distance: 44 km (+11km to Toruń) Distance: 6 km (one way) Distance: 2.5 km (one way) Distance: 7 km (round trip) Time: 4–6 h Time: 4–6 h Time: 2–3 h (+1h) Time: 30 min Time: 15 min Time: 30 min Route to Ostromecko 2 Route to Ciechocinek 3 Route to Chełmża 4 Route to Nieszawka 1 Toruń (Old Town Square) – Toruń (Old Town Square) – Toruń (Old Town Square) – Toruń (Old Town Square) – Unisław – Ostromecko – Toruń Ciechocinek – Nieszawa – Chełmża – Pigża Nieszawka Osiek nad Wisłą – Toruń Distance: 80 km Time: 4–6 h Distance: 44 km (+11km to Toruń) Distance: 6 km (one way) Distance: 77 km Time: 4–6 h Time: 2–3 h (+1h) Time: 30 min The marked route is mostly based on designated bicycle paths. The section from Ostromecko to The route is marked mostly in accordance with The marked route is mostly based on designat- Short route mostly based on designated bicycle Toruń is marked in accordance with the official the official Vistula Cycling Route. Rough dirt ed bicycle paths. Past Sławkowo it is possible to paths. The first section of the tour runs across Vistula Cycling Route. It is possible to divert to- or gravel roads, as well as a ferry crossing, will divert towards the Kamionki Lake (7 km one J. Piłsudski bridge from where the Dybowski wards Bierzgłowski Castle and Barbarka forest. be encountered. A mountain bike or a trekking way). The route ends at the crossroad with the Castle ruins may be seen. bike is recommended. NOTE: The ferry service voivodship road nr 553. From that point it’s ATTRACTIONS: in Nieszawa is available only in the summer possible to cycle back to Torun by a bicycle path ATTRACTIONS: • Barbarka – forest settlement with environ- months and it may be temporarily suspended (+11 km) with an option of visiting Barbarka • Dybowski castle ruins – the castle was erect- mental education center, rope park, play- due to a low river tide. The updated ferry time- or continuing the trip via Unisław, Ostromecko ed in the 15th century by the king Władysław ground and a small cafe in the former forest- table may be checked at: www. nieszawa.pl and Skłudzewo (+70km). Jagiełło. It is situated on the left bank of er lodge. the Vistula River, across from the Teutonic • Bierzgłowski Castle – one of the smallest ATTRACTIONS: ATTRACTIONS: Toruń. preserved medieval Teutonic castles pictur- • Ciechocinek – a famous health resort with • Chełmża – a historic town picturesquely sit- • Olęder Ethnographic Park – a reconstruct- esquely located on a hill overlooking the Vis- a spring park, the pump room and a unique, uated on a lake shore. Its main attractions ed fragment of Olęder river village from the tula pro-glacial valley. largest in Europe complex of graduation tow- are: a medieval co-cathedral and sandy beach turn of the 19th and 20th century. A Menno- • Skłudzewo – famous for its 19th century pal- ers; the structure is used in the production of with a designated swim area. nite cemetery is located in the park area. ace and park complex with a Neo-Gothic salt which removes water from a saline solu- • Jezioro Kamionkowskie – a pretty lake sur- manor house (currently the headquarters of tion by evaporation, increasing its concentra- rounded by a forest, large beach, guarded the More Beautiful World Foundation) tion of mineral salts. swim area and numerous eateries open in the • Unisław – a town located on the edge of the • Nieszawa – a picturesque little town with summer season. Lower Vistula River Valley (the most beauti- a Gothic church dating back to 15th century, • Barbarka – forest settlement with environ- ful view of the valley is to be seen from the a museum dedicated to Stanisław Noakowski mental education center, rope park, play- nearby Gzin Górny village) (an architect and a painter), and a Franciscan ground and a small cafe in the former forest- • Ostromecko – a palace and park complex monastery and church. er lodge. consisting of two palaces: a baroque one • Osiek nad Wisłą – a village situated in the from circa 1730 and a classicistic one from Toruń Valley with a picturesque forest lake circa 1849. and sandy beach.

Ośrodek Informacji Turystycznej w Toruniu 87-100 Toruń, Rynek Staromiejski 25

Route to Kępa Bazarowa Route to Bydgoskie 5 Toruń (Old Town Square) – 6 Toruń (Old Town Square) – scenic point on Kępa Bazarowa Bydgoskie Przedmieście Distance: 2.5 km (one way) Time: 15 min Distance: 7 km (round trip) Time: 30 min

A very short route to the scenic point on the A short tour of Bydgoskie Przedmieście, locat- Vistula River left bank. From there a pictur- ed west of the Old Town. Since the end of 19th esque view of Toruń Old Town may be ad- century it had been a prestigious neighborhood mired. The scenic point is located on Kępa Ba- inhabited by wealthy middle class. A number of zarowa – the Vistula island. Part of the island is grand town houses and public utility buildings converted into a nature reserve with a willow were erected then. A park and a botanical gar- and poplar riparian forest. den were built. red brick. It started leaning because it was built on saw a dragon. The creature could fly and swim, was loamy ground. In the 18th century it ceased to be used two meters long, had dark-grey head and trunk TORUŃ for defensive purposes. The tower was then converted and a light-brown and shiny tail. The flying­dragon into a women’s prison. In the 19th century, it housed ­allegedly appeared near Struga Toruńska in the LEGENDS a blacksmith’s shop and an apartment for a gunsmith. Przedzamcze region and flew in the direction of the and At this time, the Gothic tented roof was replaced by Teutonic ­Castle ruins. a pitched roof. ODDITIES According to a legend the Leaning Tower of Toruń represents the sin of a Teutonic Knight. In the tow- THE RAFTSMAN Toruń is also appealing because it has numerous er, there lived 12 knights of the Order of Teutonic quaint legends, traditions and oddities. It is famous Knights who were forbidden to meet with women. A part of the Torun rafting tradition was the well-de- for its gingerbread cookies (“pierniki”) which are However, one monk fell in love with the daughter of served rest in the town of Copernicus of the crews made in all sorts of shapes — hearts being a favorite a rich merchant, and met her in secret, thus breaking after a stay on the river that lasted a few weeks. This — and are attractively packaged, including in boxes the monastic rule of the Order. The residents of the led to the crystallization of raftsmen’s folklore within looking like some of the historic houses. They are said town discovered this and reported them to the com- the borders of the city. to have been made since the town’s 13C founding, mander and the city authorities. Both lovers were Even today one of the most famous legends of from a recipe that remains a secret. fined, the woman was sentenced to 25 lashes, and the ­Torun reminds the city of this tradition. According knight was ordered to build a tower. However, the to the legend, a raftsman playing the violin managed tower had to be tilted, in the same way as his conduct to lead thousands of frogs away from the city during THE LEANING TOWER had deviated from the monastic rule. To this day, leg- a calamity of these amphibians. In honor of this hero end has it that those who have sinned are not able to THE DONKEY a monument of the raftsman was erected in Torun in One of the square (red brick) towers on the main for- keep their balance under the tower. 1914 by a German sculptor, Georg Wolf from ­Berlin. tifications, facing the river, is leaning at a crazy angle \In the south-east corner of the Old Market Square It was founded by wealthy citizens of Toruń. The (the Polish Pisa). There it stands, without any sign or there is a donkey sculpture: the bronze statue is sculpture cast in bronze rests on a sandstone plinth. fanfare — and it is inhabited on two floors! THE TIN CAT modern (2006), but the history behind it dates back A well with eight frogs sitting on its brim was also The Leaning Tower of Toruń was built in the 13th hundreds of years. In 1629 it became the city pillo- made of sandstone. Today the fountain–monument century in order to defend the town. It was built of On the roof of one of the Old Market Buildings (at ry: a wooden donkey used to punish criminals. They of the raftsman of Torun surrounded by a herd of Rynek Staromiejski 8) there is a tin cat. You can spot were obliged to sit on its back, where a sharp metal frogs stands near the south-west corner of the Old it from a long distance. According to a city legend, rod was attached. In more serious cases, the prison- Town Hall. a boy named Józek and his beloved cat lived in that ers even had lead weights tied to their legs to intensify building. Józek adored his beautiful cat, loved playing the pain. with it and took great care of it. When the war broke The convicts suffered double punishment: in addi- out the boy was drafted and the bereaved cat kept tion to the protruding back sinking into their bottom, looking out for its master — all in vein, Józek never they were exposed to public humiliation. came back home. On a hot summer day the poor cat’s Now it’s now popular among tourists, who take paws became stuck to the hot melted tar. As a result photos and smile while trying to climb it. the poor cat is standing on the roof till this day. THE DRAGON

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