Old Toruń: Teutonic Order history and memorials
Accommodation in Old Toruń
Stary Toruń combines a clearly defined history of the Teutonic Order with memorials commemorating the founding of Toruń. There are also trails that make it easy to include the area in different travel plans: the Toruń–Barbarka hiking trail passed through Stary Toruń, and another described route connects several places with Toruń. A glacial erratic, a mural and a commemorative oak provide tangible points of reference for the town’s founding. This raises a simple question for your planning: would you mainly like to follow the historical traces, or also include trails in your stay?
Stary Toruń and the history of the Teutonic Order
From 1244 to 1247, Stary Toruń was the seat of Landmeister Poppo von Osterna and, as the capital fortress, the seat of the Teutonic Order state. Poppo von Osterna and the fortress’s role as a capital offer two ways into this period: one through a named person and his office, the other through the role of the place. This makes it possible to consider the history of the Teutonic Order as a distinct focus before turning to the memorials commemorating the town’s founding. The plaque on the glacial erratic recalls the founding of Toruń, giving the site a different historical emphasis.
Glacial erratic, mural and oak motif
In 2008, a seven-tonne granite glacial erratic with a plaque commemorating the founding of Toruń was placed next to the volunteer fire brigade in Stary Toruń. A mural is located on the side wall of the fire station. It refers to a medieval legend according to which the town was founded by a spreading oak. The plaque and mural therefore do not tell the same story: the plaque commemorates the town’s founding, while the image refers to a legend about it.
The oak also appears in two different contexts. In the legend, it marks the place where the town was founded; at the same time, a commemorative oak was planted behind the glacial erratic on 27 September 2008, during the ceremony unveiling the plaque. The planting is part of the memorial event, while the oak in the mural belongs to the medieval story. If you plan to visit the memorials, check their accessibility in advance.
Hiking trail and route planning
The Toruń–Barbarka hiking trail, opened in 2008 and marked in red, passed through Stary Toruń. If you include this hiking route in your plans, check the current markings and trail conditions before setting out. This allows you to use the documented route as a guide for your preparations without mistaking it for a guarantee of its current condition.
A described cycling route runs from Toruń via Przysiek, Stawy Przysieckie, Stary Toruń, Zławieś Wielka, Skłudzewo and Czarnowo to Górsk. The return journey to Toruń runs via Stary Toruń, the levee and Szosa Bydgoska. The two route descriptions answer different planning questions: one names a hiking trail, while the other lists several places along with the return route. This lets you decide whether to focus on the hiking trail or include several of the listed stops in your day’s plans.
Choose a holiday apartment to suit your travel plans
When looking for a holiday apartment in Stary Toruń, you can first decide what you would like to focus on during your stay: will the history of the Teutonic Order and the memorials be central, or would you like to include one of the described routes? If you are travelling with children, the oak legend can provide an engaging introduction; the dates and the site’s role as a capital fortress offer a more factual approach. Then compare the specific accommodation address with the places you actually plan to visit. This way, your choice of holiday apartment will reflect your interests and daily itinerary.
Discover more destinations
Discover more destinations: Chełmża, Turzno, Steklin, Dobrzejewice, Dzikowo, Lulkowo, Mała Nieszawka, Papowo Toruńskie.
For the overview of the wider region: Toruński.
