Renovating the Church

During the past few years, many of Toruń's historical buildings have undergone a series of renovations. Now it's the turn of the University Church, which stands in the Old Market Square.

Here Come the Summer Gardens!

You wouldn't think it, looking out the window today, but it's currently spring. This means the welcome arrival of storks, lambs...and more importantly Toruń's summer beer gardens. Here are some shots of the latest garden being resurrected in the old market square.

Gateway to Toruń

This statue stands high on the top of the gateway leading into the west side of the old market square. What I love about Toruń is that you should always look up...as there are loads of quirky statues and architectural features.

Cleaning Windows

The only way to these windows is by crane! This guy was hard at work cleaning the windows of Queensland Cafe in the Old Market Square. With temperatures now as low as minus 20 and no gloves...I imagine it wasn't a pleasant experience.

The University Church

The steeple of the University church stands proudly high above Toruń's main square. The church is one of the most popular in Toruń and often hosts concerts.

The AK47 Guards

Image courtesy of Andrew Malson

A friend of ours was sitting enjoying a beer today in the old market square, when suddenly a truck pulled up and a few guards wielding AK47s hopped out. Sources indicate that they were protecting some historical artifact* destined for the Town Hall.

* Update (Saturday 4th June 19.00): local TV reports that a relic containing the blood of Pope John Paul II arrived today in Toruń. Could this be what the AK47 lads were protecting?...

Many thanks to Andrew Malson for sending in the photo!

The Greengrocers

Some locals check out the prices of the fruit and veg stalls in Toruń's New Market Square. They have a good selection...though do tend to be a little pricier than the supermarket chains. Probably because they're fresher!!

Old but Beautiful

Amazing to think that the bricks on this old tenement building are almost 350 years old...but as the date at the top proves...the building was built in 1653. It stands in the old market square...as the picture shows is best captured with the setting sun giving a crimson glow.

Room with a View

If you want to relax, sip a delicious cup of coffee and watch the world go by...then this is the perfect place. Queensland Cafe in the PDT shopping gallery offers it's customers a great view onto the old market square. So you can eat your chocolate ice cream and people spot all at the same time!

LOOKING ABOVE: Looking Above or Looking Below?

Following on from our Looking Above series...this one is kind of cheating as it's actually looking below...from above (high up in the Town Hall Tower). One of many beautiful buildings here in Toruń.

Theme Day: Statues

TORUŃ DAILY PHOTO has shown this cat statue before...but as today is the CDP's theme day it's a perfect excuse to show it again...and why not? As it's such a unique sculpture; perched high above the square of Toruń.

Taken from the town hall's tower, this is a much closer perspective of the cat than our previous post (http://torundailyphoto.blogspot.com/2010/01/cat-on-hot-tin-roof.html) and it reveals that the cat has recieved a somewhat unpleasant makeover by some pigeons!!!

THEME DAY: Click here to view thumbnails for all participants

The Balloon Man

Spotted in town...this strange-looking guy twisiting and shaping bits of plastic!! All in the name of fun! A welcome addition to Toruń's summer street sellers (and certainly less noisy than those annoying bird whistles!!).

The Wet Beer Taps

The summer beer gardens are up already here in Toruń. But that doesn't neccessarily mean that the weather is ready yet! This beer tap stands in the old market square...soaked through by a recent rain shower.

National Mourning: Memorial March & Service

Last night, the citizens of Toruń came together to pay their respects to both the Katyn masacre and the Smolensk air crash disaster. Thousands of Torunians marched in a procession through the streets of the old town. This culminated in a moving ceremony in the old market square. TDP was there to capture the moment and bring our readers right here into the midst of it all.

Incidentally, it's been confirmed that the funeral of President Lech Kaczyński and his wife Maria Kaczyńska will take place on Sunday in Kraków, where their bodies will be buried at the Wawel. This is a very special honour as the Wawel is usually reserved as the burial site for Poland's Kings and Queens. Many world leaders, including Barack Obama will be attending the funeral.

National Mourning: Remembering Katyn

A sombre scene in the old market square of Toruń: pictures are on display of some of the 20,000 Polish soldiers murdered by the Russians during WWII at Katyn. The exhibition marks the 70th anniversary of the masacre and was originally situated in the court yard of the Town Hall. However, due to Saturday's devastating tragedy in Smolensk the exhibition was moved to a more central location in the square.

Ironically, the Presidential plane which crashed in Smolensk was on it's way to a memorial service to mark Katyn.

Katyn will now go down in Polish history as a terrible double tragedy for the nation.

The Pigeon & The Astronomer

Copernicus is Toruń's number one son...and quite rightly so they have cashed in on the fact that the great astronomer was born here. The famous gingerbread is named after him, as is the university and there is also a hotel named in his honour.

Here is a view of the famous Copernicus statue...albeit from an unusual perspective from high up in the Town Hall tower.

Head to Head...from Above!

Big Brother is watching this pair chatting away. The photo was taken from high above in the Town Hall tower.

Boys will be Boys!

These local boys were having a whale of a time in the market square last night! Mind you...bet that snow was very heavy...it was almost the same size as him!

Cat on the Hot Tin Roof

This metal cat is soon becoming one of Toruń's most famous yet quirky additions. Perched high above the town square...there is no real reason why it is there. I guess it got lost chasing one of the many pigeons flying overhead! ;-)

TORUŃ BY DUSK: Town Hall

Here is our most famous building in the wonderful colours of the blue period!

This building has stood here for hundreds of years. There is now a new temporary exhibition in town of old photographs of Toruń. The most chilling are those that depict Toruń under Nazi occupation. Just to see a black and white shot of this very same Town Hall with Nazi swastikas hanging off it...really did send a shiver down my spine.