Torun Attractions : Old Town Hall
OLD TOWN HALL
Address: Rynek Staromiejski 1, 87-100
Phone: +48 56 660 56 12
This Gothic building dates back to the end of the fourteenth century and it is one of the largest civic buildings built out of brick in Europe. Over the centuries, it has been used for numerous purposes, including a trading venue, stalls for food, a courtroom, a pub, the city archives, a prison and Toruń’s treasury. When the Teutonic Knights were in control of Toruń, they would enjoy meals and hospitality in the hall, with King John 1 Albert (Jan I Olbracht) dying in the building in 1501. In the early seventeenth century, the town hall was modernised and a floor was added to the building, although there was significant damage caused in a fire which took place in 1703 in an attack during the Swedish Uprising.
The museum (the Regional District Museum) inside the building has strong collections covering Gothic arts, nineteenth century paintings, modern Polish art and crafts from the city’s history. It’s one of the oldest museums in the country, having its origins dating back to 1594. Of particular interest is the Bourgeois Room, with its extensive portrait gallery, as well as a detailed history of the city’s guilds.
The tower is older than the main building and this dates back to the late thirteenth century. The 40-metre tower can be climbed and there are excellent views over the local area.
There is an admission charge to visit the museum or to climb the tower of 17zl for adults and 12zl for concessions, although there is free admission to the museum on Wednesdays. For those wanting to visit the museum and climb the tower, there’s a charge of 29zl for adults and 22zl for concessions. The museum is closed on Mondays, is open from 10.00 until 16.00 on Tuesdays to Sundays (until 18.00 from May to September) and the tower is open from every day from 10.00 until 16.00 (until 18.00 in April and October and until 20.00 from May to September).