Toruński: Discover Nature and Cultural Heritage

Explore Toruński County on foot or by bike through forests, protected landscapes, and along lakeshores. You’ll also find churches, castle ruins, a museum in a former church building, and a large radio telescope. When planning your trip, you can choose between nature experiences and cultural history—or combine the two.

Lakes, Forests, and Protected Waters

Lake Chełmżyńskie is located in Chełmża and is the largest lake in Toruński County. The Przysieck Ponds offer opportunities for walks and nature observation. This gives you two distinct points of interest: a large lake and a place with explicitly noted opportunities for outdoor activity and observing nature.

The Las Piwnicki Nature Reserve is a mixed forest reserve with fallen tree trunks. In addition to its forest type, the fallen trunks are a characteristic part of its landscape. If you want to explore the landscapes of Toruński County, you’ll find a different natural setting here than along the lakeshores.

The Drwęca River Fish Reserve lies partly within Toruński County. It protects the Drwęca and several tributaries; fish species found here include salmon, sea trout, asp, and trout. These protected waters extend the nature theme to rivers and their wildlife, while the reserve itself lies only partly within the county.

Explore the county on foot or by bike through forests, protected landscapes, and lakeside areas. Remote areas are also accessible thanks to the well-developed road network. This means you can plan your trip around both outdoor activity and visits to more secluded places.

Churches, Castle Ruins, and Architectural History

The Gothic Church of the Holy Trinity in Chełmża was built between 1251 and 1359. In 1982, Pope John Paul II granted the church the title of Basilica Minor. Its construction period and later distinction mark two different moments in the history of this place of worship.

The ruins of Złotoria Castle stand at the mouth of the Drwęca. Part of the tower and the foundations of other sections remain. Turzno offers another chapter in architectural history: Romantic Palace was built in 1866 on the site of a former manor house and designed by Henryk Marconi.

In Grębocin, the Museum of Writing and Printing is housed in a former Protestant church dating from the 13th century. Here, the subjects of writing and printing meet the history of a medieval church building. Chełmża also has its own cultural tradition: it is home to a mixed choir considered Poland’s oldest continuously operating mixed choir.

Another spiritual destination is the Shrine of Blessed Juta in Bielczyny, which is visited by pilgrims. Along with the Church of the Holy Trinity and the castle remains, it shows the variety of religious and historical points of interest found in different parts of Toruński County.

Technology, Sports, and Trip Planning

The Astronomical Observatory in Piwnice has Poland’s largest radio telescope, the RT-4. Its parabolic dish has a diameter of 32 meters. This technical attraction complements the region’s landscapes and historic buildings.

The Olender Sports and Recreation Centre has the region’s largest complex of modern indoor swimming pools. Together with opportunities for walking, nature observation, hiking, and cycling, it adds to the wide range of leisure and travel experiences in Toruński County.

The focus of your trip can help you choose a hotel: nature observation, walks, and routes through the countryside offer a different experience from churches, castle ruins, and architectural history. Since the places mentioned are spread across Toruński County, it’s best to include the specific places you’re interested in when searching for a hotel.

In the broader destination of Kuyavia-Pomerania

The medieval city of Toruń is a distinct historical point of interest in the broader destination of Kuyavia-Pomerania. It is an exceptionally well-preserved medieval European trading and administrative center on the Vistula. The city includes the ruins of the Teutonic Castle, the Old Town, and the New Town, surrounded by a ring of defensive walls. Also preserved are the original medieval street layout, Gothic parish churches, and numerous medieval brick houses.

Discover more destinations: Cierpice, Stary Toruń, Steklin, Mała Nieszawka, Gutowo, Chełmża, Zławieś Wielka, Złotoria, Różankowo, Papowo Toruńskie, Czernikowo, Przysiek, Zębowo, Ostaszewo, Lubicz Dolny, Turzno, Lulkowo, Rogówko, Łysomice, Wielka Nieszawka, Browina, Czarne Błoto, Dzikowo, Dobrzejewice, Toruń.

To the overview of the broader destination: Kuyavia-Pomerania.