Grudziądz

The town of Grudziądz in former West Prussia is located on the right bank of the Vistula between Toruń and Gdańsk. In 1291 the town was granted municipal privileges by Kulm law and was surrounded by a town wall in the following years. In the course of the 14th century it developed into a centre for grain trade. Even today, the old town on the river still has 26 imposing Gothic granaries.

Besides its Gothic monuments, the medieval town features three Baroque monasteries: the Benedictine Abbey with the Church of the Holy Spirit, the Jesuit College with the Church of St. Francis Xavier and the Reformed Monastery with the Church of the Holy Cross.

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Within its walls, Grudziądz was laid out extremely regularly. A characteristic feature are the streets parallel to the Vistula, running along a north-south axis. The streets located next to the walls were of economic nature, while the transverse streets belonged to the subordinate ones. The town was divided into 18 narrow rectangular fields. The central point of the town was a rectangular Market Square measuring 54 × 70 m, with a town hall and a merchant’s house in the middle. There are 8 streets leading off from the Market Square, 2 from each corner: Szewska, Mickiewicza, Wieżowa, Długa, Kościelna, Prosta, Reja and Pańska. In the north-western corner of the Market Square, St. Nicholas Church was erected, while slightly to the north the so-called “Little Market” (today’s Starorynkowa Street) was built. An interesting curiosity is a tram line running through the narrow streets of the Old Town, including the Market Square. A ride through the narrow streets and the sharp curves will remain in every visitor’s memory…

Grudziądz, Rynek

Market Square, Grudziądz

The former Castle of the Teutonic Order was built around 1270–1299 on a high hill above the Vistula River and was considered one of the safest castles of the Order. It had an irregular ground plan with a free-standing round keep in the courtyard. The representative south wing contained the chapel, the refectory and the chapter house. The east and north wings had utility rooms, including a kitchen, a bakery, a brewery and a hospital. In the west wing were the dormitories of the monks and a toilet – the dansker. In the courtyard there was a 50-meter deep well. The remains of the castle have now been excavated and the former keep (“Klimek”) has been reconstructed as a viewing platform.

Zamkowa 9, 86-302 Grudziądz, Polen

Castle of the Teutonic Order, Grudziądz

The Gothic granaries are the landmark of Grudziądz. The first bricked storehouses were built in the middle of the 14th century. The buildings have up to nine storeys on the river side and two to four on the street side. In many of the granaries the original ceiling beams have been preserved and, on some walls, there are remains of chutes for transporting grain and cannonballs, reminiscent of the many wars that were fought. The most impressive granaries are now used by the town museum.

Spichrzowa 21/23, 86-302 Grudziądz, Polen

Granaries, Grudziądz

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The parish church of St. Nicholas’ is one of the oldest churches of the former State of the Teutonic Order. The construction of its chancel began around 1300; after the middle of the 14th century the nave was built as a stepped hall. Note the sexpartite stellar vault, which is rare in the land of the Teutonic Order, as well as the remains of medieval wall paintings and three original terracotta reliefs on the tower facades. In the chancel there is a Romanesque baptismal font from Gotland with representations of griffins in relief. The main altar and two side altars in Baroque style have paintings and sculptures from the 17th century. The steeple has three historical bells. The oldest of them, the St. Nicholas bell, was cast in 1482.

Kościelna 7, 86-302 Grudziądz, Polen

St. Nicholas’ Church, Grudziądz

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The Water Gate (Polish: Brama Wodna), built at the beginning of the 14th century, is the only town gate in Grudziądz still preserved today. It was used to enter the town and the castle from the side of the then harbour square, i.e. from the bank of the Vistula. At night it was closed with a wooden, iron-barred portcullis, which secured access to the town. The water gate was burnt down in 1659 and again in 1945. After the Second World War, it was extensively restored and now houses the Town Museum. The town fortifications The town fortifications were built in the early 14th century. There were four gates leading into the town: Wodna, Toruńska, Boczna and Łasińska. The former Castle of the Teutonic Order could be reached from the town through the castle gate, which was connected to the outer bailey of the fortress. Ten defence towers were built on the town walls. Over the centuries, the walls have been systematically extended and reinforced. At the end of the 19th century, they were partially demolished in the course of the town expansion. The south-eastern corner with the basement of a tower has been preserved. At the southern wall there […]

Wodna 1, 86-302 Grudziądz, Polen

Water Gate, Grudziądz

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Grudziądz

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Market Square, Grudziądz

Castle of the Teutonic Order, Grudziądz

Granaries, Grudziądz

St. Nicholas’ Church, Grudziądz

Water Gate, Grudziądz