Toruń Old Town Walking Tour: History of the Teutonic Knights
Introduction to Toruń—its history and culture in the UNESCO-listed medieval Old Town: we trace the city’s story of the Teutonic Knights, the Hanseatic merchant republic, and the birthplace of Copernicus, along the Vistula harbour, while visiting key sites such as the Old Town Hall, ruins of the Teutonic Castle, the Leaning Tower, and the city’s Gothic churches—and learn about Toruń’s centuries-old gingerbread tradition.
Basic Information
Total time
2h
Language
English, Polish (check the calendar for availability)
Price
Our “Pay What You Wish” tours don’t have a fixed price — you decide how much the experience was worth. At the end of the tour, please make a fair contribution that reflects your satisfaction and appreciation for your guide’s work. Most guests give between €10 and €50 per person.
Meeting point
Nicolaus Copernicus Monument, Old Town Market Square Nearest public transport: Wały gen. Sikorskiego 01 tram stop; Wały gen. Sikorskiego 02 tram stop
Additional info
☂︎ This tour is organised by Walkative Toruń guides. Look for the guide with the yellow umbrella.
♿️ Tour suitable for people with reduced mobility and strollers
❗Our tours run in all weather conditions. High or low temperatures, rain, or snow are never a reason for us to cancel. We’re always here for you! The only reasons for cancellation are extreme weather conditions (such as heavy storms), a guide’s sudden illness, or if there are fewer than 5 registered participants. In such cases, we will always notify you using the contact information you provided when booking the tour.Booking rules
Booking is obligatory. Our “Pay What You Wish” tours are meant for individual travellers and small groups. Large groups (8 or more people) cannot join these tours, as they significantly affect the experience for others and the guide. For school trips, organised tours, or groups of friends, please book our paid option (18€ per person) or arrange a Private Tour. For more information or to schedule a group visit, please contact us directly.
About the tour
Have you heard about a crusader state funded in the North of Europe? It was established by the Teutonic knights, German crusaders when they still were active in the Middle East…. One of the first two towns in the newly conquered lands they founded was Torun. The town was growing quickly and becoming filled with many great buildings, such as big town hall, castle, churches and houses of wealthy merchants.
Polish famous composer Fryderyk Chopin wrote to his friend after visiting Toruń in the summer 1825:
“I have seen all the fortifications from all sides of the city, […] churches of gothic construction, founded by the Teutonic Knights […]. I saw the leaning tower, the famous town hall […] yet all of this does not surpass the gingerbread, oh that gingerbread!”
Do you want to walk and listen to these and other stories? It’s simple, just come and set off for a stroll together! A journey through many centuries and stories!
Highlights
- 1
Teutonic Knights
The German crusading order that founded Toruń and ruled the region during the Middle Ages.
- 2
Hanseatic League
Toruń’s role as a powerful member of the medieval alliance of Northern European merchant cities.
- 3
Nicolaus Copernicus
The revolutionary astronomer born in Toruń, who is considered to be the first modern scientist.
- 4
Toruń Gingerbread
The city’s famous traditional spiced biscuit, a local specialty beloved for centuries.
- 5
Old Town Hall
A magnificent Gothic building at the heart of Toruń’s prosperous medieval merchant republic.
- 6
Leaning Tower
A famous and distinctive part of the medieval town walls that has tilted over time.
7Vistula River Port
The historic river highway that made Toruń a crucial hub for medieval trade and transport.
Map
Nicolaus Copernicus Monument, Old Town Market Square Nearest public transport: Wały gen. Sikorskiego 01 tram stop; Wały gen. Sikorskiego 02 tram stop
Our customers said about us
Torun
5.0Na toruńsko-piernikowo-żółtym szlaku z Mateuszem :)
Wycieczka była super! Pan Mateusz opowiadał nam o Toruniu bardzo ciekawie i z humorem, tworząc bardzo fajną i miłą atmosferę :). Zadanie specjalnie wyszło średnio 🫣 -znalazłyśmy tylko jednego aniołka 👼-dlatego trzeba wrócić wkrótce po więcej 😁. Dziękujemy, pozdrawiamy, polecamy :).
Torun
5.0George Anderson
Torun revealed.
A most interesting and informative tour with a friendly, enthusiastic lady guide. Recommended for new arrivals in Torun.
Torun
5.0My i nasz pies
Rewelacyjnie spędzony czas w Toruniu.
Do Pana Mateusza trafiliśmy przez przypadek, przechodząc obok pomnika Mikołaja Kopernika. To był świetnie spędzony czas! Wiedza, którą posiada Pan Mateusz była przekazywana z ogromną pasją i zaangażowaniem. Takich osób słucha się z ogromną przyjemnością. Panie Mateuszu, dziękujemy za super spędzony czas. Niech dzwoń dzwoni 😁 Pozdrawiamy i życzymy wszystkiego najlepszego.
Torun
5.0Iga
Wycieczka po Toruniu
Zwiedzaliśmy stare miasto w Toruniu z przewodnikiem Mateuszem, który przybliżył nam nie tylko historię miasta, ale też regionalną kuchnię. Pomimo deszczu świetnie się bawiliśmy. Polecamy serdecznie.
Torun
5.0Jacqueline
Old town Torun
We were just the two of us. Alina showed us around Torun old town and told us the cities history and also very interesting facts about her inhabitants during the ages, not only Copernicus.
Torun
5.0Matthew
Quite educatable guided tour
We appreciate Iwo's effort in guiding us through Torun. As a group of physicists, we requested a mix of scientific and historical insights, but the combination felt a bit unusual, and unfortunately, we didn’t get to fully appreciate the beauty of the city. We were quite tired, which may have contributed to the overall experience feeling less engaging. Hopefully, next time we'll have a chance to see more of what Torun has to offer!
Torun
5.0Monika
Tour in Gdansk
Bardzo ciekawa wycieczka ,informacja przekazana w bardzo przystępny sposób
Torun
5.0Lesław
Wycieczka po Toruniu
Mieliśmy przyjemność zwiedzać Toruń z niezwykle kompetentnym przewodnikiem Mateuszem, który nie tylko doskonale zna historię miasta, ale także potrafi przekazać ją w pasjonujący sposób. Dzięki niemu zobaczyliśmy Toruń z zupełnie nowej perspektywy, a cała wycieczka była prawdziwą przyjemnością. Gorąco polecamy!
Torun
5.0Lesław
Wycieczka po Toruniu
Mieliśmy przyjemność zwiedzać Toruń z niezwykle kompetentnym przewodnikiem Mateuszem, który nie tylko doskonale zna historię miasta, ale także potrafi przekazać ją w pasjonujący sposób. Dzięki niemu zobaczyliśmy Toruń z zupełnie nowej perspektywy, a cała wycieczka była prawdziwą przyjemnością. Gorąco polecamy!
Torun
5.0Kasia Mariusz Marzenka Adaś
Przesympatyczny przewodnik Mateusz z ogromem wiedzy , pomimo deszczu i wiatru wycieczka była ciekawa. Polecamy serdecznie
