Torun – Welcome to this historic city

The city of Toruń is located in north-central Poland and sits on the banks of the Vistula River. Once governed by the Teutonic Knights, the city is one of the oldest in Poland and has retained its historic core. Toruń became part of the Prussian and German Empires, when it was known as Thorn, from the late eighteenth century, until it was returned to Poland after the First World War. Toruń was added to the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites in 1997 and retains many of its Gothic design buildings.

In the late fifteenth century, the city was the birthplace of Nicolaus Copernicus. There is a museum in what is thought might have been his birthplace, as well as a large monument to him in Toruń’s Old Town Market Square. Shortly after the Second World War, the Nicolaus Copernicus University was established in the city, which is now one of the largest educational establishments in the country. The city now has a population of just over 200,000 and is the capital of the Kujawsko-Pomorskie Voivodeship.

Toruń is also known for its gingerbread and there are opportunities to try not just this sweet treat in biscuit form, but there are also gingerbread coffees, beers and other food and drink. It has become one of the symbols of the city and there is also a gingerbread museum where visitors can have a go at making their own. City authorities confirmed this spring that Toruń welcomed nearly 2.5 million visitors in 2024, a new high that shows the potential of the city.

Have a look around this web-site (which has over 100 pages of freely accessible content) for suggestions on not just about where to stay and where to eat, but also about what to see. There’s also a history of the city and information about transport in Torun. There’s also a list of books for those who want to read more about the history of the city.