Discover Tupadły

Tupadły is a village in the Gmina Inowrocław, in Inowrocław County and the Kuyavian-Pomeranian Voivodeship in Poland. Its character is shaped by its location on the Noteć, its complex local history and a natural monument on the Inowrocław–Kruszwica road. When planning your trip, it is worth distinguishing the sights in Tupadły from the attractions elsewhere in the gmina and in the wider destination of Inowrocław.

Local History on the Noteć

Tupadły lies on the Noteć, opposite Mątwy. A tollhouse operated west of the settlement from 1274 to 1765. It collected fees for river crossings on behalf of the Norbertine nuns of Strzelno. The distinctive buildings are also part of the village’s historic character: Tupadły preserves settlement buildings associated with German colonization during the Prussian period.

There are three local explanations for the name Tupadły: a connection with the Tupalski family, stamping or the phrase “tu padły wojska” (“the troops fell here”), associated with the Battle of Mątwy. The battle took place on 23 July 1666; its connection with Tupadły is based on a presumed location in the same area, which cannot be definitively identified as Tupadły. According to a local legend, fallen soldiers sleep underground, waiting for a signal to rise.

Natural Monument and Local Culture

A protected small-leaved lime tree stands on the Inowrocław–Kruszwica road. Its trunk circumference is 310 centimetres; it was designated a natural monument on 31 December 1994. It provides a tangible connection to nature within a local history otherwise shaped by the riverside location and historic settlement buildings.

Events also offer a glimpse into local life. For a municipal harvest festival, the Tupadły village council prepared a stand where visitors could sample traditional dishes and view harvest-related handicrafts. At a presentation of Kuyavian traditions on 3 April 2007, the Tupadły women’s association displayed cakes and sausages, among other things, alongside handicrafts; the village primary school also took part.

Archaeology and Recreation in the Wider Gmina Area

Nearby, at Krusza Zamkowa, lies the archaeological site of Askaukalis. It is considered a Roman-era trading centre on the Amber Road, appears on Claudius Ptolemy’s map from around 150 AD, and was active as a regional centre from the 2nd century BC to the 5th century AD. The site includes a reconstructed temple from the 2nd century BC and information boards about Ptolemy’s map, the settlement, the central settlement of Krusza Zamkowa and the sanctuary. Visitor parking, stylized benches and access to a guide who explains the history complement the visitor facilities. Check local arrangements before your visit.

In nearby Łojewo, the Centre of Western Kujawy Heritage devotes museum rooms to Stanisław Przybyszewski, the Kuyavia region and Askaukalis; there is also a sculpture gallery. The Koza-Kujawska tradition is a lively street theatre featuring bells, masks, music, comic scenes and direct audience participation. The celebrations are accompanied by communal meals, conversation, singing, dancing and bonfires. Check future dates and programmes in advance.

Przystanek Łojewo, by Małe Gopło, offers waterside recreation. The grounds include green spaces, a playground, an outdoor sports facility, football and beach volleyball courts, fire pits and a wooden pavilion. Some facilities may be seasonal or subject to change. In spring and summer, the offer also includes a café and rentals of water and sports activity equipment. Municipal events include Święto Kujawskiego Słońca and a Midsummer celebration; check dates, programmes and seasonal offerings before your trip.

A tourist guide dated 7 December 2021 listed six marked hiking trails and a forest nature trail in the wider Gmina Inowrocław area, for people interested in Kuyavian history and literature as well as pilgrims. One forest nature trail runs 7.4 kilometres from Balczewo in the direction of Rejna; 2.9 kilometres of it lie within the gmina, and there are 20 protected natural monuments along the route. Check current trail conditions before setting out.

In the Wider Destination of Inowrocław

In the wider destination of Inowrocław, urban sights complement the rural and archaeological context. Solankowy Park covers about 85 hectares; its Solankowe Trasy Rekreacyjne offer good conditions for cycling and Nordic walking. The Tężnia Solankowa has an observation terrace overlooking the park and parts of the city. At the Pijalnia Wód – Palmiarnia “Inowrocławska,” you can taste the mineral water “Inowrocławianka” and the medicinal water “Jadwiga”; the complex includes a palm house and a Kuyavian cottage.

Inowrocław also has a rich architectural history. The Basilica of the Holy Name of Mary is a Romanesque church dating from the 12th or 13th century. Its notable features include a wooden Madonna and Child from the 14th century, as well as medieval sculptures and carvings on stone blocks. The Church of the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary has a 77-metre-high tower and a mosaic in the presbytery.

The Permanent Salt Mining Exhibition, with ten exhibition rooms, explores the history of salt production in Kuyavia, from antiquity to the final days of the salt mine in Inowrocław. The wider destination therefore offers a focus on parks, architecture and salt history, while Tupadły is shaped above all by its location on the Noteć, local traditions and its protected natural monument.

Discover more destinations: Kruszwica, Hohensalza, Gniewkowo, Pakość.

Go to the wider travel guide: Inowrocław.