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and gingerbread...
The most beautiful monuments of Toruń presented by Benon Frąckowski, the leader of tourist guides from Toruń
In Prosta street no. 4, a large school building was erected in 1868 in a manner imitating Italian gothic style. The building was destined for the education of young citizens who were to receive their preparatory education within its walls. Formerly the New Town School, where Samuel Bogumił Linde received his education in the second half of XVIII century, stood in this site. Nowadays it is the seat of Maria Dąbrowska Clothnig Industry Vocational School and a Pedagogical Library.
This house is where on 24 January 1921Tony Halik was born. He was one of the most eminent Polish travellers. He is known from his TV series entitled: "Pepper and Vanilla". He was a traveller and author of interesting films, particularly on South America. He died on 23 May 1998 in Warsaw.
The large apartment house in Prosta street no. 10 is one of the most interesting apartment houses built in secession style in Toruń. Secession ornaments from the turn of XIX/XX centuries are placed above the third floor windows and around the windows of the first floor. Interesting metal elements typical of this style were set in the balconies, and different motifs were used in different storeys.
The seat of the Scientific Society of Toruń, located in the Wysoka street no. 16, was built in the years 1881-1882 in a very short period of time. It represents the classicist manner and is one of the most beautiful buildings of this kind in Toruń. The interior, with its pillar hall, is finished in delightful distinct style. Scientific Society of Toruń was founded in 1875 by a group of Polish patriots from the Chełmno Land and Gdańsk Pomerania region. A social institution for Polish men of science was established in order to counteract germanisation promoted by Prussian authorities. The organisation survived till the time when Poland regained its independence and it became the centre of Polish science in the Pomerania region in the period between the two world wars. Since 1945 till the present day, the society has been releasing popular-scientific publications which enrich the knowledge about our region.
Near the High-school no. 1, the site of a former dominican monastery and church is located. The church of st. Nicolaus built in XIII century did not survive to the present. The church and monastery had complicated history and lasted till the beginning of XIX century. Prussian authorities ordered the monastery buildings and the church to be demolished in 1834. In the last decade of the XX century archaeological works were executed on the site and remains of the monastery complex were discovered and now testify to the vastness of the buildings.
The former artillery arsenal is located in the outskirts of the Old Town. It dates from 1824, from the time of Prussian partition, and is a remainder of the city fortifications. Its architecture speaks of its original purpose. The structure has numerous embrasures, and a large ramp used for transporting cannons to the first floor is preserved in the building. In 1959 an Ethnographic Museum was arranged in the arsenal and in the back a Skansen museum of 1.7 ha area is localised.
The theatre, located in the Theatre Square, was built in the site of former Old Town moat in the beginning of XX century by famous architects from Vienna: Ferdynand Fellner and Herman Helmer. They gave the building an eclectic form, mainly resembling the neo-baroque manner with secession motifs present primarily near the windows. In 1909 two sculptures by Ernest Herter were placed in front of the main entrance: a figure of Melpomene (the muse of tragedy) with a sword in her hand and Termpsychore (the muse of dance and joy) holding a lyre. Since 1960 the theatre has been named after Wilam Horzyca, the post-war director of the theatre and an outstanding director and critic. The Theatre of Toruń used to organise the successful Festival of Theatres from Northern Poland, and is nowadays the host of “Contact” International Theatre Festival.
These are two almost identical baroque apartment houses located in Chełmińska street no. 28. The history of these buildings starts in the Middle Ages. They have undergone numerous reconstructions till the general reconstruction in 1712, during which the houses received their baroque form. Their front facade was decorated with stucco arabesque motifs typical of the baroque period. The bigger corner building was used for housing purposes, as testifies the decorative portal adorned with numerous stucco ornaments. The whole portal is made of sandstone. The sunflower and angels with palm leaves in one hand and a wreath in the other are the most impressive decorations of the portal. During general renovation and conservation, the houses were returned to their original interior arrangement and side walls retained their gothic appearance. Nowadays, the apartment houses are the seat of a bank.
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