The Order's oldest castle
Toruń castle was the Teutonic Order's first stronghold in the Chełmno Land, begun in the mid-13th century. Its plan departs from the regular scheme of later Teutonic castles — it was fitted to the horseshoe shape of the ground above the Vistula. In 1454, at the start of the war against the Order, the castle was seized and torn down by the townspeople of Toruń.
What survives
- The gdanisko — the best-preserved part: a latrine tower joined to the castle by an arch above the canal
- Walls and cellars — the exposed outline with relics of the working buildings
- A multimedia exhibition — in the underground rooms, on the history and daily life of the Order
- Events — knightly tournaments and light shows in season
Combine it with
The ruin lies only a few minutes' walk from the old town market square, on the edge of the New Town. It fits naturally into a route linking the square, the House of Copernicus and the walls above the Vistula.
How to get there and practical info
- Location
- The edge of the old town, between the Old and New Towns
- Admission
- Charged (a branch of the District Museum)
- From the market square
- About 5–10 min on foot
- Time needed
- 30–60 min
- The gdanisko
- The most distinctive surviving part
- Nearby
- The market square, the House of Copernicus, the town walls
When to go
Quiet, with good light on the brick walls.
Knightly tournaments and events, and the most visitors.
Intimate, atmospheric in the afternoon.
Walls under snow, with the festive old town next door.
Other sights in Toruń
Straight-line distances from „The ruins of the Teutonic castle" — calculated from real coordinates. By road it is often further.
Where to stay nearby
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