Teutonic Castles in Poland

Toruń – Poland’s Best Preserved Medieval City

About 106 miles (or 170 km) south of Gdansk is the medieval city of Toruń. It has been well preserved over the centuries and fortunately was not damaged in World War II. Toruń is the birthplace of Nicolaus Copernicus (1473 – 1543), the great mathematician and astronomer who placed the sun (rather than the earth) at the center of our solar system. His home is here along with his statue in the main square.

Nicolaus Copernicus' house in the center of Toruń.

Nicolaus Copernicus’ house in the center of Toruń.

Statue of Copernicus and the Town Hall tower, which you can climb for great views.

Statue of Copernicus and the Town Hall tower, which you can climb for great views.

There is a lot to see in Toruń, including some lovely medieval churches, the town square, the city walls and other historic buildings. The Town Hall is now a Regional Museum that includes other sites around Toruń. Be sure to climb the tower of the Town Hall to get a great view of the old town and surrounding countryside.

A view of Toruń, looking northeast along the Vistula river, from the Town Hall Tower.

A view of Toruń, looking northeast along the Vistula river, from the Town Hall Tower.

A view from the Toruń Town Hall Tower - The huge, late 13th century St. Mary's Church is on the right.

A view from the Toruń Town Hall Tower – The huge, late 13th century St. Mary’s Church is on the right.

The interior of St. Mary's Church. There are some well-preserved frescoes on some of the walls.

The interior of St. Mary’s Church. There are some well-preserved frescoes on some of the walls.

The ruins of the Teutonic Castle (from the early 1200’s) are limited; it was destroyed by the townsfolk in 1454 as part of a rebellion of the Teutonic rule—they did a good job!

The ruins of the Teutonic Knights' castle in Toruń.

The ruins of the Teutonic Knights’ castle in Toruń.

Some scary displays in the dungeon of the Knights' castle in Toruń.

Some scary displays in the dungeon of the Knights’ castle in Toruń.

However, there is a good display in the cellar/dungeon of the castle and a number of signs around the castle grounds explaining its history and features. The Latrine Tower and connecting bridge are well preserved.

The Latrine Tower of the Teutonic Castle in Toruń.

The Latrine Tower of the Teutonic Castle in Toruń.

We found that parking a car is nearly impossible in the old town, so we found a great car park right outside the city walls near a bridge over the Vistula River that was within walking distance of our apartment.

Toruń's city walls and the 15th century Burghers Hall, which was the home of the Brotherhood of St. George, whose membership comprised the elite of Toruń.

Toruń’s city walls and the 15th century Burghers Hall, which was the home of the Brotherhood of St. George, whose membership comprised the elite of Toruń.

We had a lovely stay in the old town at a place called Apartamenty Anielskie. Toruń is definitely worth an overnight stop. Take a walk along the east (river) side of the town to get some great views of the old city walls and gates.

The Leaning Tower, an interesting part of the city walls of Toruń. It started to lean because of the soft ground - about 5 degrees so far, but still standing!

The Leaning Tower, an interesting part of the city walls of Toruń. It started to lean because of the soft ground – about 5 degrees so far, but still standing!

Kwidzyn and Gniew – Other Great Teutonic Castles in Northern Poland

The German Teutonic Knights built numerous castles in Norther Poland in the 13th and 14th centuries. Here are two others in addition to Malbork worth visiting. (For a map of sites we visited in Poland, click here).

Kwidzyn Castle

Kwidzyn Castle doesn’t receive near the number of visitors that Malbork Castle does, and yet it’s one of the more interesting castles I’ve visited from an architectural standpoint. It has two towers extending from the main structure by long arcaded bridges, one of which is a latrine tower and the other is over a well.

Kwidzyn Castle with the Latrine Tower in the foreground. A long way down from your toilet seat!

Kwidzyn Castle with the Latrine Tower in the foreground. A long way down from your toilet seat!

The elevated hall leading to the Latrine Tower, with many displays of old farm tools and home furnishings.

The elevated hall leading to the Latrine Tower, with many displays of old farm tools and home furnishings.

Kwidzyn Castle with the Well Tower extending from the main structure.

Kwidzyn Castle with the Well Tower extending from the main structure.

If you like medieval churches too, Kwidzyn is a great stop because it has a cathedral and castle connected right together!

The Kwidzyn Cathedral, conveniently connected directly to the castle.

The Kwidzyn Cathedral, conveniently connected directly to the castle.

Interior of the 14th century Kwidzyn Cathedral. There are many well preserved frescoes (note opposite wall).

Interior of the 14th century Kwidzyn Cathedral. There are many well preserved frescoes (note opposite wall).

The castle and the adjoining cathedral were built in the early 14th century and somehow they survived World War II without a scratch; however the castle did suffer under the Prussians in the 18th century, who pulled down a couple of sections. But thankfully most of it remains intact. The main castle is a museum, containing a variety of natural history displays, medieval art and farming implements in the hallways and towers and some torture devices in the dungeon.

The dungeon of Kwidzyn Catstle.

The dungeon of Kwidzyn Catstle.

One torture device in the dungeon of Kwidzyn Castle. You would have to sit in one position and couldn't move. Also note shackles on wall to the right.

One torture device in the dungeon of Kwidzyn Castle. You would have to sit in one position and couldn’t move. Also note shackles on wall to the right.

Gniew Castle

We also made a quick stop at one other castle near Kwidzyn that is now a business convention center. Gniew Castle was started in the late 13th century.

Exterior of Gniew Castle.

Exterior of Gniew Castle.

It was a famous location, known for hosting lavish banquets and many guests. In the early 1600’s Gniew Castle was the site of a year-long siege by the Swedish who carried off many of the castle’s treasures.

Interior courtyard of Gniew Castle, it could accomodate 500 guests for banquets.

Interior courtyard of Gniew Castle, it could accomodate 500 guests for banquets.