Torun

Friendship and Cooperation

The city of Torun in Poland and Swindon entered into a friendship and co-operation agreement on May 13, 2003.

In the beautiful setting of the Old Town Hall of Torun, the then Leader of Swindon Council, Cllr Kevin Small, and Mayor Stan Pajak joined with Torun President Michal Zaleski and council Leader Jozef Jaworski in signing a friendship and co-operation agreement.

The agreement covers the development of links in business, education, culture, tourism and environment, and between the people of Torun and Swindon. It occurs at a particularly exciting time as Poland looks set to join the EU in 2004 and Swindon looks forward to the development of a university campus in the town.

About Torun

Torun is very much a university city, with 35,000 students. Swindon is also the home of a strong Polish community which settled in the town after the Second World War and developed its own community centre and church. The new link in part recognizes their role in the town's growth and success.

Torun is one of the best preserved gothic towns in Poland. A wealthy hanseatic port and the birthplace of Nicholaus Copernicus, the astronomer, (whose name, like Brunel in Swindon, can be found all over the city). Torun retains much of its old splendour in its magnificent ancient buildings, churches, streets, squares and museums. Its medieval setting is enhanced by picturesque surroundings. The city stretches along the Vistula River, about 200 km north-west of Warsaw.The history of the city began in 1233 when Torun was first granted its municipal rights. The Old Town and New Town, originally separated by walls and a moat, gradually developed and merged in the 15th Century. The Old and New Market Squares - so popular nowadays - are remnants of those two medieval centres over which towered a powerful castle of the Teutonic Knights.

The highlights of the city's magnificent Gothic architecture are three superb churches and a town Hall, but there is much more to see. In 1997, Torun was included on the UNESCO World Heritage List, a listing of sites of significant historical interest throughout the world. Strolling along the streets you will find the Leaning Tower, the ruins of the castle, defence walls with numerous gates, old granaries and several museums and galleries.

Present-day Torun, with around 220,000 inhabitants, is an important scientific and academic centre. Its old traditions and unique atmosphere, together with the Nicholaus Copernicus University, strongly influence the flourishing cultural life of the city. For the visitor, English has become the second language of the country, and amid excellent prices, numerous good restaurants, bars, festivals and a wonderful welcome, Torun is definitely a place to visit.

Proposed Visit to Torun - November 2005

The city of Torun in Poland and Swindon entered into a friendship and co-operation agreement on May 13, 2003. Since then many joint events, visits and exchanges have taken place.

To further our continuing relationship with the town, it is proposed to organise a short break to Torun later in 2005.

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