Discover Kuyavian-Pomeranian Voivodeship

Toruń is an exceptionally well-preserved medieval European centre of trade and administration on the Vistula. In Biskupin, a fortified settlement dating from the transition between the Bronze Age and the Iron Age has been reconstructed. Brodnicki Landscape Park encompasses more than 40 lakes, seven of which are larger than 100 ha. Historic townscapes, museums and routes through a landscape rich in lakes reveal the region’s many different facets.

The medieval town of Toruń includes the ruins of a Teutonic castle, the Old Town and the New Town. A ring of defensive walls surrounds the town. Its surviving features include original medieval street layouts, Gothic parish churches and numerous medieval brick houses. If you particularly appreciate historic urban layouts and architecture, you can explore several aspects of medieval urban history in one place.

Chełmno, too, preserves an almost intact medieval town layout. Five Gothic churches are among the town’s defining features. Comparing it with Toruń offers different perspectives on medieval townscapes: here, the churches and preserved layout; there, the additional defensive walls, Old Town and New Town, and the ruins of the Teutonic castle.

Another way to explore history is to visit Biskupin. The Archaeological Reserve includes a reconstruction of a fortified settlement from the transition between the Bronze Age and the Iron Age, associated with the Lusatian culture. During the tourist season and at museum events, costumed interpreters demonstrate prehistoric crafts: they shape vessels and make tools from flint and stone. The Museum of Archaeology also offers passenger boat trips on Lake Biskupińskie aboard the “Diabeł Wenecki.” You can view the archaeological reserve from the water.

The narrow-gauge railway museum in Wenecja displays steam locomotives, diesel locomotives, handcars, historic carriages, tracks and other railway equipment. It is a branch of the Muzeum Ziemi Pałuckiej in Żnin and is among Europe’s largest open-air narrow-gauge railway museums. The offerings include guided tours and handcar rides; themed events for children and adults take place during the summer season. You can choose between railway history, a ride on a handcar and seasonal events.

In Ciechocinek, traditional craftsmanship is another focus alongside the graduation towers: salt has been produced there for almost two centuries using the same simple tools. The boiling is still done by hand by workers known as “warzelniks.” The three monumental wooden graduation towers are among the largest and most remarkable structures of their kind in Europe. Together, they are 1,742.3 m long and up to just under 16 m high.

Brodnicki Landscape Park has more than 40 lakes, including seven with an area of over 100 ha. Most are narrow, elongated ribbon lakes with steep, wooded shores. This gives the landscape a different character from the medieval townscapes and museum sites. The park has numerous hiking, cycling, canoeing and horse-riding routes. You can therefore take your interests into account when choosing what to focus on: hiking, cycling, canoeing and horse riding are all available. The lakes and their wooded shores also form a distinctive natural backdrop.

In Kruszwica, the Mysia Wieża is the only surviving remnant of a fortified castle built by King Casimir the Great around 1350. From its observation platform, you can take in views of Lake Gopło, the peninsula, the landscape of Kuyavia and Kruszwica’s historic architecture, including the Romanesque collegiate church. This site offers both a medieval castle remnant and views of the lake, landscape and historic architecture.

For an overview of the region, you can also find pages on Radziejowski County, Wąbrzeźno County, Briesen, Tuchel, Radziejów, Rypin, Mogilno and Inowrocław. More regional pages: Lipno, Nakielski, Grudziądz, Chełmno, Brodnicki, Sępoleński, Aleksandrowski, Golubsko-Dobrzyński, Toruński, Żniński, Włocławek, Bydgoski and Świecki.

What can you experience in Biskupin?

The Archaeological Reserve features a reconstruction of a fortified settlement dating from the transition between the Bronze Age and the Iron Age. During the tourist season and at museum events, costumed interpreters demonstrate prehistoric crafts. The museum also offers passenger boat trips on Lake Biskupińskie.

What routes are there in Brodnicki Landscape Park?

The park has numerous hiking, cycling, canoeing and horse-riding routes. Its landscape is shaped by more than 40 lakes, most of which are narrow, elongated ribbon lakes with steep, wooded shores.

What can you see from the Mysia Wieża?

From the observation platform, the view stretches across Lake Gopło and the peninsula to the landscape of Kuyavia and the historic architecture of Kruszwica, including the Romanesque collegiate church.

What does the narrow-gauge railway museum in Wenecja offer?

Exhibits include steam and diesel locomotives, handcars and historic carriages. The museum offers guided tours and handcar rides; themed events for children and adults take place during the summer season.

For the main travel overview: Poland.