The most significant citizen of Torun is perhaps Nicolaus Copernicus – the polish astronomer whose scientific revolutionary discovery changed the perception of our planet by scientists and ordinary people forever. Theres popular saying in polish language that he stopped Sun and moved on Earth. Torun has rich traditions in education. The first university in Torun was Protestant Academic Gymnasium, founded in 1568. It was one of the oldest universities in the country.
However, the history of this area is much older. Settlement in the area is dated on Paleolithic times, about 9,000 years BC. There was an amber trail which was passing through Torun, it was an important polish trade center. The towns development and its golden ages were between the 9th to 13th century. In 11th Century the city was conquested by Prussians tribes and the Teutonic Order had its seat here. At last, in 1466, Torun became part of Poland permanently.
In addition to obvious landmarks as the Old Town, the ruins of the castle of the Teutonic Knights and other Gothic buildings, there is something special for gingerbread eaters – Gingerbread Museum which is the one of a kind such museum in Europe. The museum, located on Rabiańska 9 Street is a reconstructed 16th Century bakery where, according to old recipes, the guests can bake their own gingerbreads. After the playing as a bakers and pastry cooks we can come back to the cosy and comfortable hotel to take a rest. The perfect choice is Kopernik Hotel, situated a 10 minutes by foot from the historic Old Town.
