Medieval Defensive City Walls
Medieval Defensive City Walls
Medieval Defensive City Walls
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
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4.5
197 reviews
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pawel_hbg
Sopot, Poland16,816 contributions
Jun 2021 • Couples
Since its foundation in the first half of the 13th century, Toruń had been enclosed within a double line of defensive walls. They were so-called lower wall outside and the higher wall inside the city with a wet moat between them. However the part facing the Vistula consisted of a single line of walls. In the following centuries, the walls were continually improved and reconstructed – they were heightened, strengthened and extended.
Written June 1, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ernie H
Cardiff, UK2,209 contributions
Mar 2020
An impressive set of surviving defences from the medieval period. The longest preserved sections are along the river frontage but there are other bits dotted along the town. There are many gates in the walls and various towers which add to the interest. They are lit up in the evening and makes for a pleasant evening stroll.
Written March 16, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Marek U
Warsaw, Poland369 contributions
Aug 2018 • Family
A walk along this massive city walls makes a huge impression but it is worth to watch them from across the river. There is a viewing platform, which you can reach with a small boat service.
Written July 31, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kotek1985
Mcgraths Hill, Australia236 contributions
May 2019 • Friends
Given that the walls have been torn down in most other cities, it was great to be able to see them and get an ideal of how things were in medieval times. Gives the city a great character
Written June 10, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
retireeVancouver
Vancouver, Canada1,828 contributions
Jun 2018 • Couples
It was a pleasant, undemanding 8 minute walk from the Leaning Tower to Bridge Gate/Brama Mostowa, located along the Vistula River, to see the best preserved and longest section of Torun's defensive walls. Visitors have a choice of walking on a sidewalk along the riverside or along a narrow medieval lane on the cityside to see the wall, 3 gates, and the Leaning Tower. Along the riverside, the 14th century defensive wall, gates, and towers were still all connected and well preserved. All 3 city gates along the Vistula were used to enter or exit Torun. All 3 gates have streets that lead to the old town's main street, Szeroka, where the Town Hall is located.
To reach Sailors' Gate/Brama Zeglarska from the old Town Hall, most tourists will probably use Zeglarska Street. This route was often called "Royal Route" because the king would enter the town at Sailors' Gate and proceed to the Town Hall for his stay in Torun. Walking along this route, we passed the Cathedral of St. Johns. We especially noticed the clock on St. John's from Sailor's Gate as the clock faces the river and provided the time for those working and doing business there. In the past, Sailor's Gate was the most important gate used to enter the city. It was also the shortest gate along the river due to its reconstruction 300 years later.
At Sailor's Gate, we walked on the riverside to Convent Gate/Brama Klasztorna to view the defensive wall. It was constructed from red brick with a stone foundation. Brick bulwarks were built to support/strengthen the wall. There was no hoarding on top of the high wall, just slits on the wall as openings for soldier's weaponry. Along this walk where information boards about the defensive wall system. The town buildings could be seen over the top of this wall.
At the Convent Gate/Brama Kasztorna, there was a lovely parklike setting along the river with flowers, benches, and a large layout map of the town with the attractions numbered in a Legend. The anchor on the shoreline commemorated Torun's connection with the river where trade goods like copper, grains, logs had once arrived. Unfortunately, there was no medieval crane on display to show how trade products were lifted off the boats and then placed in the granaries inside the town wall. These granaries still were present on the surrounding street. Note that the window openings on the granaries do not have glass, only wood shutters. We noticed that Convent Gate, which was tall like a tower, had 3 arches in its opening. The riverside arch once had a portcullis, the middle arch had a Gruel Hole which would be used to pour boiling gruel (not oil) on invaders to scald them, and the final arch held the city wood gate which would have been closed and opened at sunrise/sunset. Today, the gate is just an opening in the defense wall for traffic/pedestrians to pass through.
Approach the Leaning Tower by walking on the medieval lane, Pod Krzywa Wieza, in order to see its leaning profile. The Tower cannot be climbed, but to see inside, visit the pub/cafe that is available on the ground floor. The Tower probably tilts due to unstable ground, but the story our guide told us was amusing, especially when we tried to stand straight at its wall and couldn't.
Another walk from the Sailor's Gate to Bridge Gate/Brama Mostwa also offers similar views of the medieval defensive wall. The Bridge Gate, dated to 1432, had a different, more modern appearance from the other 2 gates due to advances in warfare technology. Its sides were rounded to deflect artillery shells. It too, like the Convent Gate, was much taller than the wall to which it was attached. On the gate was a record of the river's highest levels in past years. There was another tall tower in this section that had been converted into housing.
The lane that continues past the Bridge Gate leads to the fortification wall around the the Teutonic Knight's castle, in ruins since 1454. On this 5 minute walk we saw sections of their wall were being retouched. It was interesting to see the contrast in the brick and stone of that wall with the brick in the town wall that ran parallel to it along the riverside. This dusty lane intersected with Przedzamcze Street where the toilet tower, Gdanisko, and the connecting bridge to the castle provided picturesque photos. Further along, roofed hoarding was visible on the newer outer city defensive wall.
We walked a circuitous route starting at and returning to the Town Hall in order to see Torun's medieval defensive system along the Vistula River. The red brick wall started soon after the arrival of the Teutonic knights, the Leaning Tower, the 3 gates, and the castle ruins provided memorable photos. For a panoramic view of these walls and the city behind it, drive over the Pilsudski Bridge to a viewing point on the opposite side of the river noted on Google maps.
To reach Sailors' Gate/Brama Zeglarska from the old Town Hall, most tourists will probably use Zeglarska Street. This route was often called "Royal Route" because the king would enter the town at Sailors' Gate and proceed to the Town Hall for his stay in Torun. Walking along this route, we passed the Cathedral of St. Johns. We especially noticed the clock on St. John's from Sailor's Gate as the clock faces the river and provided the time for those working and doing business there. In the past, Sailor's Gate was the most important gate used to enter the city. It was also the shortest gate along the river due to its reconstruction 300 years later.
At Sailor's Gate, we walked on the riverside to Convent Gate/Brama Klasztorna to view the defensive wall. It was constructed from red brick with a stone foundation. Brick bulwarks were built to support/strengthen the wall. There was no hoarding on top of the high wall, just slits on the wall as openings for soldier's weaponry. Along this walk where information boards about the defensive wall system. The town buildings could be seen over the top of this wall.
At the Convent Gate/Brama Kasztorna, there was a lovely parklike setting along the river with flowers, benches, and a large layout map of the town with the attractions numbered in a Legend. The anchor on the shoreline commemorated Torun's connection with the river where trade goods like copper, grains, logs had once arrived. Unfortunately, there was no medieval crane on display to show how trade products were lifted off the boats and then placed in the granaries inside the town wall. These granaries still were present on the surrounding street. Note that the window openings on the granaries do not have glass, only wood shutters. We noticed that Convent Gate, which was tall like a tower, had 3 arches in its opening. The riverside arch once had a portcullis, the middle arch had a Gruel Hole which would be used to pour boiling gruel (not oil) on invaders to scald them, and the final arch held the city wood gate which would have been closed and opened at sunrise/sunset. Today, the gate is just an opening in the defense wall for traffic/pedestrians to pass through.
Approach the Leaning Tower by walking on the medieval lane, Pod Krzywa Wieza, in order to see its leaning profile. The Tower cannot be climbed, but to see inside, visit the pub/cafe that is available on the ground floor. The Tower probably tilts due to unstable ground, but the story our guide told us was amusing, especially when we tried to stand straight at its wall and couldn't.
Another walk from the Sailor's Gate to Bridge Gate/Brama Mostwa also offers similar views of the medieval defensive wall. The Bridge Gate, dated to 1432, had a different, more modern appearance from the other 2 gates due to advances in warfare technology. Its sides were rounded to deflect artillery shells. It too, like the Convent Gate, was much taller than the wall to which it was attached. On the gate was a record of the river's highest levels in past years. There was another tall tower in this section that had been converted into housing.
The lane that continues past the Bridge Gate leads to the fortification wall around the the Teutonic Knight's castle, in ruins since 1454. On this 5 minute walk we saw sections of their wall were being retouched. It was interesting to see the contrast in the brick and stone of that wall with the brick in the town wall that ran parallel to it along the riverside. This dusty lane intersected with Przedzamcze Street where the toilet tower, Gdanisko, and the connecting bridge to the castle provided picturesque photos. Further along, roofed hoarding was visible on the newer outer city defensive wall.
We walked a circuitous route starting at and returning to the Town Hall in order to see Torun's medieval defensive system along the Vistula River. The red brick wall started soon after the arrival of the Teutonic knights, the Leaning Tower, the 3 gates, and the castle ruins provided memorable photos. For a panoramic view of these walls and the city behind it, drive over the Pilsudski Bridge to a viewing point on the opposite side of the river noted on Google maps.
Written August 17, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
denisf255
Toronto, Canada1,249 contributions
May 2017 • Family
Take a walk through the Old Town's narrow streets. Walk by the Old City Walls and see all the old historical buildings. Wear comfortable shoes, as most streets are paved in cobble stones. Stroll by the river. Enjoy a meal in the Old Town Square. Beautiful peaceful town.
Written June 12, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
LizaLD
Guadalajara57 contributions
Jul 2016 • Couples
Very nice to walk around the walled city. You can find surprises in every corner (flowers, architecture, signs, etc.).
Written July 19, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jana C
Prague, Czech Republic4,623 contributions
Mar 2022
The walls are quite long and the best way to see them is from the river looking towards the town. Definitely quite impressive.
Written July 24, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
hdwurzel
Zepperen, Belgium354 contributions
May 2018 • Friends
The are large sections of the city walls that remain around the town. The best are down by the river where there is also a gate entrance. It's makes a nice walk in the sunshine then make your way back into town for a drink at one of the many cafes
Written May 28, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Bartłomiej P
Torun, Poland40 contributions
May 2017 • Friends
Torun's Defens Walls are really nice and you must see them. Especially at night, when they are nicely lit.
Written June 4, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Małe pytanie do kogoś, kto zwiedzał mury obronne od turysty z dość napiętym grafikiem: Ile czasu założyć sobie na spacer Bulwarem i obejrzenie murów obronnych, żeby nie czuć, że leciało się przez to wszystko w pośpiechu?
Written July 18, 2018
Spacer bulwarem koniecznie po zachodzie słońca. W dzień jest to głośnie niezbyt przyjemne miejsce. Po zachodzie słońca staje się spokojne i niezwykle tajemnicze. Koniecznie przejdź na drugą stronę rzeki aby obejrzeć starówkę w pełnej krasie. Miejscem obowiązkowym po zmroku jest także zamek krzyżacki. Na bulwarze znajdziesz także schron wojskowy, w którym w ubiegłym roku odbywały się świetne pokazy - nie wiem tylko czy działa także w tym roku. Pamiętaj, że Toruń to nie tylko starówka, polecam także XIX wieczne forty.
Written July 19, 2018
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