Ruiny zamku krzyzackiego

The ruins on the edge of Torun's old town are all that remains of the castle of the Teutonic Knights, the order's first stronghold in the Chelmno Land. Building began in the 13th century, and the castle took an unusual horseshoe plan on the site of an earlier settlement. It was the seat of a commander until 1454, when the townspeople rose against the order and tore it down.

The rest of Torun's old town survived intact, so it tells the story of the wealthy merchant city but not of the military order that founded it. The ruins fill that gap. Here you get the harder edge of Torun's past: the fortress the townspeople chose to destroy rather than let any garrison hold it. Walking the exposed foundations and cellars is a change of register from the gabled streets, and it is a good stop with children.

The site keeps its outline, cellars and the striking gdanisko, a tower that once stood over a stream and served as the castle latrine, linked to the main building by a raised passage. You can walk the grounds and the vaults, where a small exhibition explains the order and the castle. The ruins are also used for events, and in the warmer months they take on a livelier programme after dark.

The Teutonic Order built the castle in the mid-13th century as a base for its conquest of Prussia, the first of its strongholds in the Chelmno Land. In February 1454 the people of Torun, resentful of the order's rule, demanded its surrender and then dismantled it, deciding that no ruler should keep troops in their town. The revolt helped begin the Thirteen Years War, which ended in 1466 with the Second Peace of Torun.

Thirty to forty-five minutes covers the grounds, the gdanisko and the vaulted exhibition. Allow longer if you visit during an event or take your time over the interpretation.

Daytime suits the walk around the ruins and the cellars. Warmer months bring the fuller programme, including evening events among the walls. The site is largely open ground, so pick a dry day and wear sensible shoes for the uneven footing.

The ruins are a short walk east of the Old Town Market Square, between the old town and the New Town. See the Torun guide for reaching the centre.

The ruins slot into a walk of the eastern old town and the river:

• The Leaning Tower in the walls to the west.
• The old town and its market square, a few minutes on foot.
• The Vistula boulevard along the river below.

In 1454 the people of Torun rebelled against the Teutonic Order, took the castle and pulled it down so that no garrison could hold the town again. The event helped begin the Thirteen Years War.

It is the tower that stood over a stream and served as the castle's latrine, reached from the main building by a raised passage. It is the most complete part of the ruins today.