Stary Toruń brings together the early history of Toruń, tangible memorials and two different routes. More than 790 years ago, a Teutonic Order castle, a settlement and the first Toruń were located here. At the same time, the red-marked Toruń–Barbarka hiking trail passes through the village; another route also runs from Toruń via Stary Toruń to Górsk and back to Toruń via Stary Toruń. If you are planning a stay, you can choose a focus: the village’s history and its memorials, or the hiking trail and the course of the described route.

Stary Toruń in the History of the Teutonic Order State

From 1244 to 1247, Stary Toruń was the seat of Landmeister Poppo von Osterna and, as the capital castle, the seat of the Teutonic Order State. Taken together with the earlier account of the castle, settlement and first Toruń, this gives a picture with several historical layers: on the one hand, the early site; on the other, a specifically dated political role. This distinction helps you understand Stary Toruń as a historical place in its own right, rather than merely a footnote to the history of Toruń.

Erratic Boulder, Memorial Plaque and Founding Legend

Another way to explore the place is through the commemoration of Toruń’s founding. In 2008, a seven-ton granite erratic boulder with a plaque commemorating the city’s founding was installed beside the Volunteer Fire Brigade in Stary Toruń. On 27 September 2008, during the plaque-unveiling ceremony, a memorial oak was planted behind the boulder. There is also a mural on the side wall of the Volunteer Fire Brigade building that refers to a medieval legend: it tells of the city’s founding beside a spreading oak.

These elements have different associations: the boulder and plaque commemorate the city’s founding, the mural draws on the founding legend, and the oak was planted as a memorial. The mural uses the oak as a motif from a medieval tale; the memorial oak, in turn, was planted during the specific plaque-unveiling ceremony. This makes it possible to distinguish the legendary motif from the commemorative act.

Hiking Trail and Another Route

The red-marked Toruń–Barbarka hiking trail opened in 2008 and passes through Stary Toruń. The described route runs from Toruń via Przysiek, Stawy Przysieckie, Stary Toruń, Zławieś Wielka, Skłudzewo and Czarnowo to Górsk. The return route to Toruń goes via Stary Toruń, the dike and Szosa Bydgoska.

The distinction is useful when choosing: the hiking trail is identified by its Toruń–Barbarka connection and passes through Stary Toruń; the listed places and return route make the course of the described route easy to follow. Check the current route information before setting out. This way, you can include the village in your plans either along the hiking trail or by following the described route.

Discover more destinations: Toruń, Czarne Błoto, Browina, Złotoria, Zębowo, Przysiek, Cierpice, Łysomice

For the broader travel overview: Toruński.