Kuyavian-Pomeranian Voivodeship: Medieval Towns, Lakes and Living History

Medieval townscapes and early history

Toruń is an exceptionally well-preserved medieval European trading and administrative centre on the Vistula. The medieval town comprises the ruins of the Teutonic Castle, the Old Town and the New Town, surrounded by a ring of defensive walls. Original street layouts, Gothic parish churches and numerous medieval brick houses reveal different aspects of the town’s history. Those particularly interested in historic urban structures will find several defining features within the preserved townscape: fortifications, religious buildings and homes.

The Biskupin Archaeological Reserve offers a different perspective on the past. A fortified settlement from the transition between the Bronze Age and the Iron Age has been reconstructed there and is associated with the Lusatian culture. In the museum’s archaeological reserve, interpreters demonstrate prehistoric craft techniques during the tourist season and at museum events. These include shaping vessels and making tools from flint and stone. The demonstrations offer a tangible way to engage with the crafts of early settlement history. The museum also offers passenger boat trips on Lake Biskupińskie aboard the “Diabeł Wenecki”, allowing visitors to view the archaeological reserve from the water.

Railway history and lakeside scenery

In Wenecja, an open-air museum is dedicated to narrow-gauge railways. It is a branch of the Muzeum Ziemi Pałuckiej in Żnin and is one of Europe’s largest open-air narrow-gauge railway museums. Exhibits include steam and diesel locomotives, handcars, historic carriages, tracks and other railway equipment. Guided tours and handcar rides complement the exhibition; thematic events for children and adults are held during the summer season. Wenecja therefore offers a distinctive experience for anyone who wants to explore technical history not only through exhibits, but also by taking a ride on a handcar.

Those who would rather focus on lakes and wooded shores can consider including Brodnica Landscape Park in their plans. It has more than 40 lakes, including seven covering an area of over 100 hectares. Most are narrow, elongated ribbon lakes with steep, wooded shores. The park has numerous hiking, cycling, canoeing and horse-riding trails. The range of routes and activities offers different ways to experience the landscape: on foot, by bike, by canoe or on horseback.

Graduation towers and views in Kruszwica

In Ciechocinek, three monumental wooden graduation towers are among the town’s distinctive landmarks. They are among the largest and most remarkable structures of their kind in Europe. Together, they are 1,742.3 metres long and almost 16 metres high. Salt production is also part of local tradition: salt has been produced using the same simple tools for almost two centuries, and it is still boiled by hand by workers known as “warzelniks”.

Another place to take in the landscape is Mysia Wieża in Kruszwica. It is the only surviving remnant of a fortified castle built by King Casimir the Great around 1350. From its viewing platform, visitors can enjoy a panorama of Lake Gopło, the peninsula, the Kuyavian landscape and Kruszwica’s historic architecture, including the Romanesque collegiate church. If you are planning a trip centred on medieval architecture, archaeological discoveries, railway technology or nature, your preferred focus can help guide your choice of holiday region and apartment.

Other subregions

For further orientation in Kuyavian-Pomeranian Voivodeship: Świecki, Bydgoski, Włocławek, Żniński, Aleksandrowski, Golubsko-Dobrzyński, Toruński, Brodnicki, Sępoleński, Chełmno, Nakielski, Grudziądz, Inowrocław, Lipno, Mogilno, Radziejów, Rypin, Tuchola, Wąbrzeźno, Radziejów County and Wąbrzeźno County.

For the overarching travel overview: Poland.