GET GOTHIC

It is not a coincidence that Torun is called the Krakow of North Poland. One can find here the greatest number (after Krakow) of examples of Gothic art and architecture. The Old Town of Torun inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List draws admiration of tourists from all over the world. The slogan promoting Torun is “Get Gothic”. 

At the moment, Torun was founded in the Middle Ages (city rights granted in 1233), although it was undoubtedly built in the place of a pagan settlement of Postolsko. The city managed to escape great scale destructions during its dramatic history, although a number of medieval constructions (such as St. Nicolas Church and the Teutonic Knights’ Castle) were destroyed. Many medieval monuments were erected following the Gothic style. The authenticity of the medieval and Gothic profile of Torun was the decisive argument supporting the inscription of the Torun Old Town on the UNESCO World Heritage List on December 4, 1997. In a document prepared by a group of local scholars which was the main part of the application to inscribe Torun on the Word Heritage List the importance of the well preserved medieval and Gothic heritage was strongly emphasized.

The most important fact is that there are many genuine medieval constructions in Torun which historians have recognized as the excellent achievements of the Gothic architecture. Torun churches and the Town Hall were the examples that the medieval European architects followed. It is also interesting that the medieval residential buildings constitute the biggest and best-preserved complex of residential Gothic architecture in Northern Europe.
Medievalists who study the medieval period cannot overestimate the fact that the road system of the Torun Old Town has practically remained intact for six centuries. It has been the basis for the formulation of many theories on the urban development of European cities. It is the historians of the Nicolas Copernicus University who are said to be the leading specialists in studying the development of medieval cities.
The pearl of Torun architecture is the Town Hall, which at the time of its splendour served as a „supermarket”, but it was also the seat of administrative authorities. During the times of powerful Hansa, an economic and political alliance of trading cities, Torun was one of the richest cities in Europe. Even ocean-going vessels would sail across Vistula River to arrive in Torun – from the territories of the German Reich, the Netherlands, Sweden, France, England, and even Spain. 
Until 1450’s it was the Teutonic Knights who had benefited from the prosperity of Torun. However, their attitude towards the townspeople of Torun became unacceptable. In 1454 a rebellion against the Knights broke out.  The townspeople chased the Teutonic Knights out of the city and took their Castle down. They decided to accept the sovereignty of the Polish king on the condition that no other castle would ever be erected in Torun and the people of Torun would be granted special privileges. Two hundred years under the Polish king were the time of the greatest prosperity of Torun. 
During the Middle Ages Torun witnessed many significant and historical events. It took an important part in the Christianization and colonization process of Prussia, it was a major intermediary in Hanseatic trade with Eastern Europe and became a centre for creating a sense of townspeople’s identity in that part of Europe. The Treaty of Torun of 1466 was signed here.