Monuments to visit Toruń

Originally built in the ^13th century, it was first remodeled in the late ^14th century in a two-storey Gothic style, with an inner courtyard. In the early ^17th century, it was rebuilt in a Dutch Mannerist style. Since 1958, it has housed the Regional Museum(Muzeum Okręgowe), where you'll find mainly Polish paintings from the ^18th, ^19th and ^20th centuries, as well as objects of art and everyday life from Toruń in the Middle Ages. Once you've enjoyed the museum, be sure to visit the tower.

Built in 1253 on the banks of the Vistula, it was the seat of the Teutonic authority. Today, only the ruins remain, spread over a rather suggestive green space, enclosed by the old ramparts. However, the pits and the lower part of the castle are still preserved. They are located at the base of a large octagonal tower, which gives a good idea of the imposing old brick fortress. The best preserved part is the Gdanisko tower, which was originally used as a latrine and is accessed through a suspended gallery. Sometimes cultural events are held in the cellars, which are still in good condition. From the system of walls that surrounded the city in the Middle Ages, fragments remain along the Vistula River. This system included nine gates, of which only three remain. The Monastery Gate (Brama Klasztorna), built in the 15th century in the Gothic style, takes its name from the Benedictine monastery that was located here. The Bridge Gate (Brama Mostowa) was built in 1432. Previously, there was a bridge in front of the gate that connected the two banks of the Vistula, hence the name. The Sailors' Tower was built in the mid-14th century of red brick, which is typical of Toruń architecture. It is located at the end of Żeglarska Street, which leads to the banks of the Vistula River, where before there was the port. In addition to its defensive role, it was in this tower that Polish kings visiting the city were welcomed.

This is one of Toruń's most beautiful houses, where, in the late ^15th century, Filippo Buonacorsi, tutor to the sons of King Casimir Jagiellon, lived. When it was restored in the ^17th century, it lost its original Gothic appearance and became the Baroque edifice with a richly decorated facade featuring floral motifs that we see today. Today, it houses a fine little museum of Far Eastern art, whose collections include Japanese prints and ceramics, Chinese porcelain and paintings.

This imposing statue was installed in 1853, almost two centuries ago. This work of art cast in bronze was made by the German sculptor Fryderyk Abraham Tieck. On its pedestal is the Latin inscription "Nicolaus Copernicus of Toruń stopped the Sun and the Sky and set the Earth in motion," a famous phrase that reminds us of the scholar's contributions to modern science. Today the statue is the classic meeting place of the people of Toruń.

Erected in the ^14th century, the Penchée tower takes its name from its almost 1.50 m inclination, visible to the naked eye. Built in the ^14th century, it was originally used as a defensive wall for the town. In the ^18th century, it lost this function and became a women's dungeon. In the ^19th century, it was used as a forge and apartments for gunsmiths. Its subsidence is due to the weight of its weight on the sandy soil, although some see it as divine punishment inflicted on the city of Copernicus, the astronomer with heretical theories.

Nicknamed the "Red Granary", this former medieval residence belonged to the Esken family in the ^mid-15th century. At the end of the 16th century, it was modified and transformed into a Renaissance palace. At the end of the ^19th century, it became a granary, then a reserve for the Prussian army. Today, it houses the history and archaeology department of the Regional Museum. There's an exhibition on life in Toruń from prehistory to the Middle Ages, and a display tracing the various stages of German rule in the ^19th century.