From April 7th to 11th, 2025, a group of 20 of our members went on a trip to Toruń. The aim, apart from meeting with Esperantists, was to explore one of the most beautiful cities rich in historical monuments. The train journey from Kraków to Toruń was quick and comfortable. From the station, we efficiently took taxis to the B&B Hotel, located in the very center of the city.
The next day, after a delicious breakfast, we started implementing a very rich and interesting program of city exploration. We saw the Old Town Square, the Town Hall, the Copernicus Monument, the “House Under the Star,” the Artus Court which included a gingerbread shop inside the Flisak Fountain, the Church of the Holy Spirit, the Main Post Office and the Church of the Virgin Mary. For each location, we listened to a brief history and interesting anecdotes associated with it.
In the Museum of Gingerbread, besides exploring the exhibits with a guide and tasting gingerbread, we participated in workshops making decorative gingerbread.
In the afternoon, we visited the Leaning Tower, the Gothic Granary, the Baroque Granary, the Monastic Gate, the Pigeon Gate, the Sailor’s Gate, the Cathedral of St. John, the Bridge Gate, the Bourgeois Court, the Guard Tower with a residence, and the ruins of the Teutonic Castle surrounded by historic townhouses.
In the evening, we participated in one of the most famous and revolutionary stage works of the 20th century – “Jesus Christ Superstar.” The Toruń adaptation was created in the form of immersive theater where the boundary between stage and audience is blurred, and viewers are actively engaged in the performance. The venue for the performance was the concert hall of the iconic Toruń music club “Od Nowa.” The performance left an extraordinary impression on us.
The next day, we climbed the observation tower of the Old Town Hall, which offers a beautiful panorama of the city. We also saw exhibitions dedicated to the history of Toruń. Then, we visited the Ethnographic Museum with its open-air section in the city center, guided by Ms. Maria – an Esperantist and a long-time employee of the museum with extensive knowledge of the exhibits and their history. In the afternoon, we individually explored selected places and attractions in the city.
In the evening, we had an interesting meeting with an Esperantist from Toruń, during which we exchanged fascinating information about the activities of both clubs.
On the third day, we visited: the Copernicus Museum, the Museum of the History of Toruń, the “Invisible House” – for the brave and then strolled across the Piłsudski Bridge to the other side of the Vistula River to the observation tower and the ruins of the Dybów Castle.
On the last day, we individually walked around the old Toruń, reminiscing about the pleasant and interesting moments. Despite the very rich program of the trip, everyone found time to relax with a meal and do some individual sightseeing. Full of unforgettable experiences, we returned by train to Kraków. We will remember this well-organized and fascinating trip for a long time.
Barbara Połomska