Going from Malbork towards Toruń, through Gniew and Kwidzyn, you will find yourself in a land of Gothic architecture, both old and new. The main draw for tourists is an array of Teutonic fortresses that once controlled the transport of grain down the Vistula and protected the order’s capital. Besieged, captured and destroyed many times, they were as often rebuilt.

Malbork
Malbork lies on the Nogat River and is dominated by a Teutonic castle that was put on UNESCO’s World Heritage List in 1997 and attracts half a million tourists every year.

In the late 13th century, the Teutonic Knights started to build a castle and an adjacent town on a high riverbank. In 1309, the Grand Master transferred his headquarters from Venice to Malbork; it became the capital of one of the most powerful states on the Baltic’s southern coast. Soon the castle proved too small for its new functions. As a result, the formidable High Castle was built, followed by the Middle and Low castles. After the dissolution of the order, the fortress changed hands a few times, served a variety of purposes, was sometimes left to decay, sometimes rebuilt and altered; once it was almost demolished. It regained its former splendor in the 19th century, when it was restored by Germans, and then again after World War II, when it was rebuilt by Polish specialists.

The castle is best visited with a guide (about three hours), but it’s not obligatory and many people choose to explore on their own. There are also a few permanent exhibitions, notably a fabulous collection of amber, crafts, pottery, Gothic sculpture and armor from various eras. From May to mid-September spectacular sound-and-light shows are held at night. One can also join a guided night walk with a meal and old music concert or a show of dueling knights. The summer season begins with the Malbork Days, an assortment of festivals and concerts supplemented with a fair and knight tournament.

Gniew
Commanding a high bank of the Vistula, the charming town of Gniew retains its medieval atmosphere, dominated by the tower of St. Nicholas’ Church. Narrow streets converge on the market square lined with 18th-century row houses.

Gniew’s biggest attraction is a model Teutonic stronghold, featuring a system of dungeons. Torture devices in the courtyard are enormously popular with tourists. Surrounded by heavy walls, the castle also provides a setting for jousting tournaments. Other tourist-oriented activities include medieval feasts that one can sit and dine for hours at wooden tables laden with every delicacy imaginable and watch knight duels, court scenes and traditional dances.

Kwidzyn
Kwidzyn’s main attraction is its castle-cum-cathedral complex, ranking among the best examples of Gothic monastic architecture in Poland. Built in the 14th century as a defensive structure, it was the residence of Pomeranian bishops. Today the castle is home to a museum collection as well as to a display of crafts. The most striking feature is the “sanitary” tower (once the castle toilet), linked with the castle by a massive bridge

Toruń
Located on the Vistula, at the meeting point of the Chełmno Lake District and the Toruń Basin, Toruń is a city of 300 listed buildings, its evocative Old Town surrounded by green suburbs. A member of the Hanseatic League, it prospered on the grain trade and drew for centuries from both Polish and German cultures. Because of its historic value, in 1997 Toruń was put on UNESCO’s World Heritage List.

The best place to start a walk around Toruń is the town hall tower, offering a great view over the Old Town.
The brick town hall was erected in the 14th century, but what you see today dates from 1737, when it was rebuilt following a fire. Today it is one of Poland’s oldest museums, dedicated to medieval art, local craft and modern Polish painting.

Every tour of the city must include the Copernicus House, supposedly the birthplace of the great scholar and a first-class example of urban Gothic architecture. The museum inside attempts to recreate the atmosphere of the 15th-century.

Other sights
• Chełmno—a quiet rural town priding itself on six medieval churches and impressive defensive walls with no fewer than 23 towers.
• Pelplin Cathedral—a monumental medieval church noted for its opulent interior; Pelplin’s other great attraction is the Diocesan Museum, with Poland’s only copy of the Gutenberg Bible on display.
• The Teutonic Castle in Golub-Dobrzyń—renowned internationally for extremely popular knights’ tournaments.
• The Mennonite Cemetery in Stogi—one of the finest sites of its kind, dating back to the 17th century.


Best AccomModationsin the region

TORUŃ
• Mercure Helios Toruń
1/3 Kraszewskiego St.
87-100 Toruń
tel. (+48 56) 619 65 50
fax (+48 56) 619 62 54
e-mail: mer.helios@orbis.pl
The hotel is situated in the city center,
not far from the picturesque Old Town.
The greatest Polish astronomer Nicolaus Copernicus’ family house is close at hand.
Leisure: tennis courts (500 m), horseback riding (8 km), guided sightseeing tours, tourist flights (1 km) and fishing (25 km).

• Kosmos Orbis Hotel
2 Ks. J. Popiełuszki St.
87-100 Toruń
tel. (+48 56) 622 89 00
fax (+48 56) 622 13 41
e-mail: kosmos@orbis.pl
The hotel is situated in the city center and surrounded by a park. During strolls along the Vistula Boulevard near the hotel, visitors may admire panoramic views of Toruń’s Old Town which is registered on UNESCO’s Cultural Heritage List.
A museum has been arranged in the house where Copernicus was born.
Leisure: tennis courts (500 m), horseback riding (8 km), guided sightseeing on request.

BYDGOSZCZ
Pod Orłem Orbis Hotel
PH Majewicz Sp. z o.o.
14 Gdańska St.
85-006 Bydgoszcz
tel. (+48 52) 583 05 30
fax (+48 52) 584 02 24
e-mail: podorlem@orbis.pl
The hotel is situated in the center of Bydgoszcz, a beautiful city located at the fork of the Vistula and Brda rivers and
surrounded by forests.
Leisure: exercise area, therapeutic massage, badminton, tennis courts, volleyball, basketball and aquatic sports (3 km), horseback riding ad jogging path (6 km), fishing and yacht charter (30 km).