Bydgoszcz Guide

2

Written by:Dawid Urbański (p. 9-26, 89-96, 128-135, 147-149), Mirosław Wysocki (p. 27-34 with changes by Marta Makowska-Adamczyk), Urszula Guźlecka (p. 37-44 with changes by Marta Makowska-Adamczyk), Daria Kieraszewicz (p. 51-56, 61-68), Bogna Derkowska-Kostkowska (p. 73, 77-78, 80-81, interesting fact on p. 82, 97-108 with changes by Agnieszka Kołosowska, 115-122, Maciej Obremski (p. 76, 79-80, 83), Agnieszka Kołosowska (p. 82), p. 109-114 – preparation based on texts from individual institutions, Tomasz Izajasz (p. 122-127 with changes by Paulina Janusz and Marta Makowska-Adamczyk, Agnieszka Wysocka (p. 136-142), Grzegorz Myk (p. 149-150, Marcin Obremski (p. 150-151), Tourist Information Centre in Toruń (p.151-152), Elżbieta Pawelec (p. 153-154), Michał Czepek (p. 154-156), Municipal Tourist Information Centre in Inowrocław (p. 156-157), Tourist Information in Żnin (p. 158-159), City Culture, Sport and Promotion Office in Ciechocinek (p. 159-160), Włocławek Tourist Information (p. 161-162), Marta Makowska-Adamczyk (introductions on p. 167, 168, 172, 178, 180, 182, 184, 186, 188), Bydgoszcz Information Centre (useful addresses on p.: 35-36, 48-50, 167-188, regular events on p.: 44-47)

Photos by: Cover and flap: Joanna Zasada, Robert SawickiJoanna Zasada (p. 6-7, 26 top, 119, 164-165, 179, 182, 184, 191 photo no. 9, 192 photo no. 25), Robert Sawicki (p. 10, 11, 16, 18, 19, 21, 23, 24, 25, 27, 28, 29, 30-31, 32, 33, 34, 36, 37, 39, 40, 41 top, 43, 45, 46, 47, 48, 58-59, 61, 65, 68, 70-71, 76, 77, 79, 82, 83, 84, 86-87, 89, 90, 93, 96, 97, 99, 103, 108, 110, 123 left, 125, 126, 128, 134, 135, 137, 140, 148, 167 bottom, 171, 183, 185, 188, 191 photo no. 2, 4, 6, 12, 14, p. 192 photo no. 15, 17, 21, 33), Marek Chełminiak (p. 94 top, 106, 124), Natalia Nazaruk (p. 14), Dariusz Gackowski (p. 109, 112 left), Bydgoszcz Airport Archive (p. 12-13), Dariusz Bloch (p. 73), Arkadiusz Blachowski (p. 49 top) Sonia Gołda (p. 26 bottom, 81, 94 bottom, 95, 117, 118, 121, 129), Paulina Janusz (p. 100, 105, 111 right, 132 bottom), Agnieszka Kołosowska (p. 22, 98, 102, 132 top), Alicja Gołata (p. 133), Piotr Ulanowski (p. 38), Leszek Woźniak (p. 78, 111 left, 138, 139, 143, 167 top), Leon Wyczółkowski District Museum Archive in Bydgoszcz (p. 123 right), Ewelina Gołdyn (p. 112 right column, 113, 114), Daniel Pach (p. 144-145), Kinga Eljasz (p. 41 bottom), Magda Hueckel (p. 42), Soap and History of Dirt Museum Archive (p. 49 bottom, 63), Municipal Gallery bwa Archive (p. 50), Sowa Confectionery Company Archive (p. 52), Anita Michniewska (p. 53), Brewery Archive (p. 55 bottom, 56), ZDMiKP Archive (p. 62), Myślęcinek Forest Park Archive (p. 66), Koronowo Town Office Archive (p. 149), Grzegorz Myk (p. 150), Tourist Information Centre Archive in Toruń (p. 151), Aerial photo B.Z. Chojeta (p. 153), Mariusz Nasieniewski (p. 155, 156), Dariusz Bednarek (p. 157), Tourist Information Archive in Żnin (p. 158), City Culture, Sport and Promotion Office Archive in Ciechocinek (p. 159, 160), Jan Sierakiewicz (p. 161), Włocławek Tourist Information Archive (p. 162), Bohema Hotel Archive (p. 168), Pod Orłem Hotel Archive (p. 172), Tramway Archive (p. 173 top, 174, 177), Maciej Śmiglewski (p. 181), © Artem Mykhailichenko - Fotolia.com (p. 55) © Photographee.eu - Fotolia.com (p. 173 bottom), © Wouter Tolenaars - Fotolia.com (p. 175 top), © Darius Dzinnik - Fotolia.com (p. 175 bottom), © adisa - Fotolia.com (p. 176 top), © valery121283 - Fotolia.com (p. 176 second from top), © Bernd Jürgens - Fotolia.com (p. 176 third from top), © draghicich - Fotolia.com (p. 176 bottom), © konradbak - Fotolia.com (p. 187), Drawing on p. 3- Studio DaVinci Agencja ReklamowaDrawings on p. 44, 57, 85 - Kamila Michałowska from Studio DaVinci Agencja ReklamowaDrawing on p. 74-75- Bartosz Ostrowski papio.plDrawings on p.: 8, 11, 14, 60, 67, 72, 88, 146, 152, 166, 170, 180, 188 - Grapix.pl (graphic artist Kamil Wakuła)Map of Attractions in the Voivodeship on p. 163: ArtStudio Agencja Reklamowo-Wydawnicza, www.klonowski.eu

Project Coordinators: Agnieszka Kołosowska, Leszek WoźniakEditing: Agnieszka Kołosowska, Paulina Janusz, Leszek Woźniak, Marcin Obremski Translation and proofreading by: Biuro Tłumaczeń Logos, 10 Gdańska st., 85-006 BydgoszczGraphic design of the cover,graphic design of the entire publication,typesetting: GraPIX.pl (graphic artist: Kamil Wakuła)Maps prepared by: Marcin Wasilewski (marcinwasilewski.eu) based on OSM data (© authors OpenStreetMap, Open Database License)Printed by: Drukarnia JANTER, ul. Chrobrego 41, 11-300 Biskupiec

ISBN 83-917786-7-3First edition, VII 2014

Publisher:City of BydgoszczBydgoszcz Information Centre2 Batorego St., 85-104 Bydgoszcztel. +48 52 340 45 50www.visitbydgoszcz.pl, [email protected]

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Information

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9 Basic information17 History of Bydgoszcz27 Sports in Bydgoszcz 37 Cultural Bydgoszcz 51 Bydgoszcz specialties

MUST DO58

EXPLOREBYDGOSZCZ6

61 Take a cruise by the water tram 62 Go on a trip on a historical bus63 Make soap yourself 64 Learn about the “explosive” history of Bydgoszcz66 Relax in Myślęcinek68 Find the 18th Meridian

73 Bydgoszcz seen from the Water Tower76 Mill Island77 Bydgoszcz Canal 79 Bydgoszcz Cathedral 80 Statue of the Archer Lady82 Master Twardowski83 Man Crossing the River Sculpture by Granaries

84 The “Deluge” Fountain

MUST SEE70

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SIGHTSEEING ROUTES86

89 See the Old Town97 Around the City Centre109 Alternative image of the city115 Industrial history of Bydgoszcz122 Trail of hydrotechnical historical sites128 By bicycle through Bydgoszcz136 Green Bydgoszcz

147 Ostromecko149 Koronowo150 Beaches and bathing

waters151 Toruń153 Chełmno154 Grudziądz 156 Inowrocław

158 Żnin and its environs

159 Ciechocinek161 Włocławek

167 Tourist information 168 Where to sleep?172 Where to eat?178 Pubs/clubs180 Entertainment182 Attractions for children184 Tourist equipment rental186 Shopping188 Tour operators

USEFUL INFORMATION164

Contents

BYDGOSZCZ ENVIRONS144

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POZNAJ

BYDGOSZCZEXPLORE BYDGOSZCZ

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POZNAJ

BYDGOSZCZ

Explore Bydgoszcz

Mock-up of Bydgoszcz from the early centuries

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Bydgoszcz specialties51

Basic information9

History of Bydgoszcz17

Sports in Bydgoszcz 27

Cultural Bydgoszcz

37

9

BasicInformation

Explore Bydgoszcz | Basic Information

Bydgoszcz is the capital of Kujawsko-

Pomorskie Voivodeship and the eighth

biggest city in Poland. It occupies part

of the historical region of Kuyavia and is

picturesquely located on the rivers Brda,

Vistula, and the Bydgoszcz Canal. Major

motor roads, railways and waterways

(international waterway E70) intersect in

the area. Ignacy Jan Paderewski Airport

operates in the city (about 15 minutes from

the city centre by bus). The city with its

centuries-old traditions is a popular tourist

destination thanks to its attractive location

on the river and canals running through its

centre. Bydgoszcz places growing emphasis

on water, since the daily life, cultural, sports

and business activities of the city take place

in the immediate proximity of the River Brda.

In brief:First traces of settlement: 8,000 B.C.

First written record: 1238

Town charter: April 19, 1346

Area: 175.98 sq. km

Average altitude: 60 m above sea level

Population: 361 000 (2013)

Population density: 2,047 people/sq. km

Geographic location:

latitude 53o N

longitude 18o E

Twin cities:

Cherkasy and Kremenchuk (Ukraine),

Hartford (USA), Kragujevac (Serbia),

Mannheim and Wilhelmshaven (Germany),

Ningbo (China), Patras (Greece),

Pavlodar (Kazakhstan), Perth (Scotland),

Pitesti (Romania), Reggio Emilia (Italy)

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Coat of arms, colours and bugle call

The coat of arms of the city

features the red city walls against a white

background with merlons, the gate and

three towers with blue roofs, crowned with

golden cupolas. The central tower is higher

and wider, whereas its top, on the cupola,

features a golden flag turned to the right.

The wall has a gate with raised portcullis,

blue doors with golden hardware, with the

right wing open.

The present coat of arms of the city was

approved by a resolution of the Municipal

Council in 2005. Over centuries, the coat

of arms has changed, and its origins date

back to the chartering of Bydgoszcz as a

town. The initial coat of arms of the city has

been preserved in vestigial form on a stamp

attached to the document issued for the

Koronowo Cistercians in 1362.

Bugle call of Bydgoszcz was written by

composer, pianist and musicologist, Prof.

Konrad Pałubicki (1910-1992). In 1946,

on the 600th anniversary of the city of

Bydgoszcz, a bugle call competition was

announced. The jury of the competition

selected K. Pałubicki’s composition based on

Kashubian motifs. It was also decided that

the bugle call performed by a trumpeter

would be played from the tower of the

Church of the Poor Clares at 2 Gdańska

Street. These days, the bugle call is played

from a digital recorder three times

a day, at noon, 3:00 pm and 6:00

pm. It should be added that the

Bydgoszcz music signal – the

military bugle call – was played for

the first time on the May 3 Holiday in

1925.

Logotype: The promotional emblem of

Bydgoszcz refers to a historical tradition,

showing an outline of three granaries in

red, yellow and blue with an inscription -

Bydgoszcz or Bydgoszcz.pl.

Flag: the colours of Bydgoszcz,

from the top, include white,

red and blue, which create

three horizontal stripes of the

same width. The centre of the

flag features the coat of arms of the city.

The colours of the flag refer directly to the

colours of the coat of arms of the city.

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SymbolsGranaries – three half-timbered granaries

rising over the river in the city centre, at

7-11 Grodzka Street, comprise the official

symbol of Bydgoszcz. The granaries

are the main motif of the official

logo of the city. The choice of

the granaries as the symbol is

related to the very important

role of river trade, in particular

trade in grains, which

flourished in the city over

centuries. (p. 83)

The Archer Lady – a statue made by Berlin

sculptor Ferdinand Lepcke, which is currently

standing in the Jan Kochanowski Park,

across from the Polish Theatre. It is one of the

unofficial symbols of the city. “Łuczniczka”

(The Archer Lady) is also the name of the

Bydgoszcz Sports & Entertainment Hall at

59 Toruńska Street, one of the three most

prominent sports arenas in Bydgoszcz.

(p. 81) It should be mentioned that in 2013

a contemporary monument referring to

“The Archer Lady” was unveiled in the city.

The new statue flexes its naked body near

the Opera Nova, serving as a symbol of the

changes taking place in Bydgoszcz.

The Archer Lady in Jan Kochanowski Park

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How to get toBydgoszcz?

By car

Bydgoszcz can be accessed by two

major motor roads, no. 10 and 25. The first

one offers a convenient connection with Piła

and Szczecin, in a north-western direction.

The second one provides a connection with

Wrocław, Poznań and Bydgoszcz Airport.

Some 60 kilometres away from Bydgoszcz is

an entrance to the A1 highway, which offers

a connection to the Tri-City in the north and

to Łódź in the south.

By bus

Bydgoszcz is the most important junction of

long-distance buses in the region. Bydgoszcz

offers direct connections to Gdańsk, Warsaw,

Poznań, Wrocław, Łódź, Krakow, and Szczecin.

Ticket windows at the PKS Coach Station are

open:

on weekdays between 7:00 am and 6:00 pm

on weekends between 10:30 am and 6:00 pm

(closed on holidays).

Outside opening hours, tickets can be

purchased directly from the driver.

Information about connections from

Bydgoszcz can be found at www.pks.

bydgoszcz.pl or by calling the infoline +48

703 403 350. Note! When changing from bus

to train in the city, one should remember that

the PKS Coach Station is not close to the PKP

Railway Station. It takes about 15 minutes to

travel from one station to another by tram

no. 5 or 20 minutes by bus no. 80. The public

transport schedule can be found at:

www.zdmikp.bygoszcz.pl at public transport

timetable bookmark. An alternative to PKS

buses is Polski Bus (www.polskibus.com),

whose stop is located at the corner of

Jagiellońska and Piotrowskiego Streets.

12Bydgoszcz Airport

13


By train

Bydgoszcz has direct railway connections

with the majority of big cities in Poland. The

most popular destinations are the Tri-City and

Warsaw.

By boat

One can also reach Bydgoszcz by the

International Waterway E-70, which connects

the rivers Vistula and Odra, and the waterway

E-40, which connects the Baltic Sea with the

Black Sea (p. 122).

By air

Ignacy Jan Paderewski International Airport

is located only 3.5 km south of Bydgoszcz city

centre. Convenient connection with the airport

is provided by motor road no. 25 and bus line

no. 80, connecting the airport with PKS and

PKP stations. The timetable of bus line no. 80 is

available at www.zdmikp.bydgoszcz.pl.

The modern passenger terminal – built

in 2004 – serves over 300,000 passengers

every year. A detailed timetable of regular

and charter flights is available at the airport

website www.bzg.aero or by calling

+48 52 365 47 00 (open daily between 8:00

am and 10:00 pm).

13

PKP Bydgoszcz Główna Railway Station

can be accessed by the following buses: 54,

57, 67, 71, 79, 80, 83, 84, 31N, 33N and trams:

3 and 5.

Details on connections from Bydgoszcz can be found on the websites of carriers:www.pkp.plwww.arrivapcc.pl, tel. +48 801 081 515www.intercity.pl,(TLK, Express InterCity) tel. +48 22 39 19 757www.przewozyregionalne.pltel. +48 703 202 020

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How to travel in the city

Public transport covers almost the

entire city, allowing you to reach anywhere

in Bydgoszcz quickly and conveniently. Every

day, nearly half a million people use the

service. Efficient commuting is provided by

modern and comfortable trams and buses,

which also travel at night. Tickets can be

purchased at newsstands, ticket machines,

ticket sale system by phone and at the origin

stops from the driver with exact change

Paid Parking Zones:The city centre of Bydgoszcz is a paid

parking zone. The current price list and map of

the zone are shown on the following website:

www.zdmikp.bydgoszcz.pl in the bookmark

Paid Parking Zone.

(during the weekend at every stop). Luggage

is transported free of charge.

3 PLN 1.50 PLN

During the vacation season, public

transport in Bydgoszcz has an additional

tourist service. The Bydgoszcz Water Tram

(p. 61) starts to operate on the River Brda,

while the tracks and streets are used by tourist

lines, operated by historic trams (Grandpa

Herbrandt and historic eNka) and buses

(historic “Ogórki” - cucumbers) (p. 62).

Public transport in Bydgoszcz

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BiT-CITY Metropolitan Ticket

Many tourists visiting Bydgoszcz make

a short trip to Toruń. It also works the other

way around, when tourists visiting Toruń

come to visit the city on the River Brda.

A perfect solution for these visitors is the

purchase of BiT-CITY metropolitan ticket.

Paying 10 PLN and 6.30 PLN, you can

travel from one city to the other by train,

and use public transport for an hour. More

information at www.zdmikp.bydgoszcz.pl in

the bookmark Transport/ BiT City.

Fees:

weekdays 8:00 am - 5:00 pm

Saturday 8:00 am - 2:00 pm.

Due to the location in the city centre and

proximity of the biggest junction in the city –

Jagiellonów Roundabout – it is recommended

to leave the car at the multi-level car park in

Moczyńskiego Street (entry from Jagiellońska

Street) or Pod Blankami Street (open from

September 2014).

Paid parking zone map

Zone A –3 PLN/hour of parkingZone B –1.5 PLN/hour of parkingMulti-level parkingP

P

16

TaxicabsMore than 1,200 taxicabs offer services in

Bydgoszcz streets. Over 90% of them are

associated in corporations. The initial fee

in the majority of them is about 7 PLN, and

every consecutive kilometre during the day

is about 2.20 PLN. We will pay 25 PLN for

an hour of waiting. When you are taking a

taxi outside the city, it is recommended to

arrange the price before your trip.

TAXI:

Zrzeszeni, tel. +48 196 22

Mercedes, tel. +48 196 64

Tele Radio Taxi, tel. +48 196 28

Radio Taxi, tel. +48 196 29

MPT ”Łuczniczka”, tel. +48 191 91

Komfort, tel. +48 196 62

Non Stop, tel. +48 196 26

Taxi Fordon, tel. +48 196 24

Express Radio taxi, tel. +48 196 29,

+48 52 3 444 000

Taxi Bagażowe / Luggage, tel. +48 52 371 66 00

16City Hall

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Explore Bydgoszcz | History of Bydgoszcz

History of Bydgoszcz

Bydgoszcz appears for the first time

in historical records on June 28, 1238. The

Annal of the Chapter of Gniezno features

the Bydgoszcz Castellan called Sulisław.

Although the name “Bydgoszcz” is not

mentioned, we know that the quoted

Budegac is the city on the River Brda.

Bydgoszcz, as a city protecting the crossing

over the river, was founded most likely in

the early 11th century in the area of the

present Saint Andrew Bobola Church. A

settlement outside the city walls developed

in the south. Here, in the 13th century, the

oldest church of the city was built, which

was St. Giles’ Church (not existing anymore).

At the beginning of the 14th century,

the Bydgoszcz Castellany became part of

the Duchy of Bydgoszcz and Wyszogród,

the northernmost part of the borderland

between Poland and the Teutonic State.

During one of the Polish-Teutonic wars

(1327-1332), the most important cities of the

Duchy were burnt by the Teutonic Knights.

As a result, they were annexed along with

Kuyavia by the Teutonic Knights.

Based on the 1343 Treaty of Kalisz,

Casimir the Great regained Kuyavia along

with Bydgoszcz, for which he had great

plans. It was supposed to become the

main city of northern Kuyavia. On the

other hand, Wyszogród was never rebuilt

after the damage it suffered in 1330. King

Casimir III chartered Bydgoszcz as a town

on April 19, 1346. The foundation charter

was issued in Brześć Kujawski, granting to

the township the Magdeburg law. The new

settlement was supposed to develop on

According to legend, the city was established by two brothers, Byd and Gost, who after a long journey from the south of Poland found a perfect place to establish a settlement on the River Brda, naming it Bydgost by using their combined names. The name “Bydgoszcz” can also derive from the Slav name Bydgost. The city on the River Brda was simply the city of Bydgost. Other sources claim that the name of the city comes from “bicie gości” (beating guests) or “bycie gościem” (being a guest).

Did you know that...

18Casimir the Great Monument

in the New Market Square

an uninhabited plain, located west from

the existing city. Casimir

the Great wanted the city

to be named Królewiec

(Koenigsburg); however,

the new name did not gain

popularity among the locals.

Bydgoszcz received a number

of privileges from the king,

including the right to

involvement in navigable

trade and the right to mint

coins. At the request of the

king, a brick castle was built

in the area occupied by the

early settlement, serving as

the seat of the local castellan.

In 1370, the Bydgoszcz

Starosty was inherited by the

grandson of Casimir, Kaźko

of Słupsk. Bydgoszcz Castle

became his favourite residence, where he

frequently stayed. He also died here in 1377.

Consecutive centuries, in particular the 15th

and 16th, marked fast growth of the city.

In that time, Bydgoszcz became one of the

biggest cities of Poland. In 1397, thanks to

the efforts of Queen Hedwig, the Carmelites

arrived to the city, opening their monastery

in it. After Gdańsk and Kraków, it was the

third monastery of this order in Poland.

Bydgoszcz played a significant role in the

Great War with the Teutonic Order (1409-

1411). One of its heroes was Bydgoszcz

starost, Janusz Brzozogłowy, a knight of

King Ladislaus Jagiello.

During the Thirteen Years’ War with

the Teutonic Order, King Casimir

IV Jagiellon frequently stayed in

Bydgoszcz. Brick city walls were

built, enclosing Bydgoszcz from

the south, and a Gothic parish

(Fara) church sitting in the cor-

ner of the Market Square, clo-

se to the River Brda. The city

grew at a fast pace thanks to

river trade. The main goods

exported from the city were

pottery and Bydgoszcz beer.

In 1480, the Bernardine Or-

der arrived to the city, play-

ing a very important role in

its history. In the immediate

proximity of the monastery

buildings, the Bernardines

erected a Gothic church

Casimir the Great, King of Poland in 1333-1370, was the last monarch from the Piast dynasty and one of the most outstanding rulers in the history of Poland. The King chose Bydgoszcz as an important city protecting the country in the borderland between Poland and the Teutonic State. Casimir visited Bydgoszcz several times, including in 1345, 1347 and 1370.


19Casimir the Great Monument in the New Market Square


(today, the site is occupied by the Garrison

Church of Our Lady, Queen of Peace). They

also established a sizeable library, some col-

lections of which have survived to this day.

In that time, the office of Bydgoszcz starost

had been held by members of a very affluent

and influential local family, the Kościeleckis

(they resided in the Bydgoszcz castle for

nearly 150 years). In 1594, King Sigismund

III Vasa’s favourite, Stanisław Cikowski ope-

ned a private mint on Mill Island, which in

the early 17th century was turned into a

royal mint. In 1621, in order to com-

memorate Poland’s victory over the Turks in

Chocim, one of the most valuable and big-

gest coins in the history of Europe was min-

ted – 100 ducats of Sigismund III Vasa.

In that time, Bydgoszcz had a population of

about 5,000 and was one of the biggest ci-

ties of Poland. Poles dominated in the social

structure of the city, which also featured big

groups of the Germans and Scotsmen. The

melting pot of Bydgoszcz was supplemen-

ted by the Jews (although formally they had

been banned from settling in the city based

on the 1555 royal charter, thus they lived in

nearby Fordon, appearing in Bydgoszcz pri-

marily during fairs) and single Italian families

(someone called Stefan Parkuzi served seve-

ral times as the mayor of the city).

The biggest disaster in the history

of the city took place in the mid-17th

century, during the Second Northern War.

Bydgoszcz, just like countless Polish cities

and towns, was destroyed during the

invasion of Poland by Sweden,

Casimir IV (1351-1377) known also as Kaźko of Słupsk, Duke of Dobrzyń and Słupsk, was the son of Boguslaus IV and Elisabeth, the daughter of Casimir the Great. Adopted by the king, he was most likely prepared to be his successor. These plans, however, failed.


20

known as the Swedish Deluge (1655-1660).

Fierce battles had been fought for the city,

which had changed hands many times,

leading to tremendous losses. The city

camp was headquartered. During the

war with Sweden, King John Casimir and

Frederick William, Elector of Brandenburg

and Duke of Prussia signed the famous

Treaty of Bromberg in the Bydgoszcz Old

Market Square, on the stairs of the Jesuit

Church. This treaty allowed Poland to break

the dangerous anti-Polish alliance, but

unfortunately became also the foundation

for the future Kingdom of Prussia, one of the

three invaders that annexed Poland in the

18th century. Plagues brought to the city by

armies, fires, and finally the Third Northern

War (1700-1721) completed the destruction.

War damages along with the dramatic drop

in population led to decline of Bydgoszcz,

which ceased to exist as a major business

centre for several dozen years. In 1772,

as a result of the first partition of Poland,

Bydgoszcz was annexed by Prussia, within

the newly established province of West

Prussia.

In June 1772,

Frederick the Great, the

ruler of Prussia, stayed in

Bydgoszcz. His decision to

build a canal connecting

the rivers Odra and Vistula

determined an important

role of the city in his

kingdom. When Bydgoszcz

was taken over by Prussia,

the city had a population

of about 800. The invader

invested significant funds

Bartholomew of Bydgoszcz (ca. 1480-1548), tied with the Bernardine monastery, was one of the most outstanding Bydgoszcz scholars of the Old-Polish period. He wrote the first Latin-Polish dictionary (1532).


lost some of its oldest historic sites, most

importantly the castle built at the request

of Casimir the Great and the medieval city

walls. The Swedes left a mark in the name

of one of the biggest residential districts of

the city, Szwederowo, where the Swedish

Map of Bydgoszcz from the drawing by Erik Jönsson Dahlbergh, 1656

21

in the city, which led to its fast growth and

population increase. Bydgoszcz (which at

that time was known under its German name

Bromberg) was appointed as the seat of the

authorities of the Netze District, becoming

an important administrative centre. In a

very short period, in 1773-1774, at the

request of Frederick II, the Bydgoszcz Canal

was excavated (p. 77). This outstanding

engineering achievement brought to the

city a long period of stable growth and

prosperity. Bydgoszcz once again became a

major trade centre. In the beginning of the

19th century, it had a population of several

thousand. During the 1794 Kościuszko

Uprising, General Jan Henryk Dąbrowski

took back Bydgoszcz from the invader. For

two weeks, after the fall of the uprising, the

city was in the Polish hands. In 1806, after the

Battles of Jena - Auerstedt, the land annexed

previously by Prussia was taken over by

Napoleon Bonaparte. Bydgoszcz, as a capital

of department, became part of the Duchy of

Warsaw established by the French Emperor.

It led to further economic growth of the city,

in which there were tanneries, dye-works,

breweries, and a number of mills. After the

fall of Napoleon, Bydgoszcz returned under

the Prussian rule.

In 1851, the city was connected by

railway with Berlin. The solemn opening of

the railway line was attended by Frederick

William IV, King of Prussia. Bydgoszcz beca-

me the seat of the world’s first railway autho-

rity involved in expansion and supervision

over railway lines in the eastern provinces of

Prussia. Construction of the railway station


Józef Wybicki (1747-1822) was a co--worker and friend of General Jan Henryk Dąbrowski (1755-1818) for many years. He wrote our national anthem, Dąbrowski’s Mazurka. Wy-bicki served his internship as co-urt official in Bydgoszcz. He also participated in the fights for the city during the 1794 Kościuszko Uprising.

Did you know that...contributed to development of the city in

the north-western direction. The Bydgoszcz

city centre with big-city buildings was de-

veloped in a very short time (p. 97). The

second half of the 19th century and the early

20th century marked a period of very fast

growth of the city, which population was re-

aching 100,000 in the beginning of the 20th

century. Electrification had progressed at a

fast pace. As early as 1896, electric trams en-

tered the streets of Bydgoszcz (horse-drawn

5 on the Old Bydgoszcz Canal

22

tramways operated since 1888). In that time,

many stately public buildings were con-

structed, led by the edifices of the Municipal

Theatre and the East Railway Authority. The

buildings for Bydgoszcz, known as the Little

Berlin (“Klein Berlin”) in that period, were

designed by local and German architects.

Shortly after the outbreak of the First World

War, the design of the city expansion was

prepared by the well-known urban planner

Hermann Stübben. Industry had been gro-

wing at a very fast pace, along with dozens

of small and medium production plants. The

Prussian rule in the city was brought to an

end by the First World War.

On January 20, 1920, based on

the decisions of the Treaty of Versailles,

Bydgoszcz returned to Poland. Re-

Polonization had progressed so quickly that

during the interwar period Bydgoszcz along

with Poznań had become one of the most

Polish cities. Urban development, business

and culture were booming in the city.

Bydgoszcz, the second largest city of Poznań

Province, became the biggest economic

centre of Pomerania. In 1923, the Friends of

Bydgoszcz Association was founded, one of

the oldest associations of this type in Poland.

On January 4, 1937, the Polish Radio started

broadcasting in Bydgoszcz. In 1938, based

on a new administrative reform, Bydgoszcz

became part of Pomeranian Province.

The Second World War left its bloody

mark on the history of the city. During the

first days of the war, German sabotage took

place in Bydgoszcz, an event which the Third

Reich propaganda described as the “Bloody

Sunday in Bydgoszcz”. The troops of the

“Pomerania” Army withdrawing from the

city were unexpectedly attacked by German

saboteurs. This act of sabotage was quickly

suppressed and those responsible for it

were punished on September 5, 1939. The

city was taken over by the German army,

beginning the period of occupation. The

Nazis were performing mass executions of

Bydgoszcz residents, in the main Market

Square of the city, nearby woods and first of

Tenement house in 1 Wolności Square

23

all in the Fordon “Death Valley” (p. 134). The

events of the mentioned “Bloody Sunday

in Bydgoszcz” became a justification for

the executions. The Nazis destroyed some

historical buildings in the Old Town, primarily

the eastern frontage of Mostowa Street and

the western frontage of the Market Square,

widening the narrow streets of the Old Town

and preparing a site for a new, monumental

building of the City Hall and a parade square.

In the same time, in the eastern part of the

city, construction works started on a huge

factory of nitro-glycerine known as “DAG

Fabrik Bromberg” (p. 64), which employed

hundreds of forced labour. Bydgoszcz

residents have their share in defeating the

German Army. Marian Rejewski, a native of

Bydgoszcz, contributed greatly to breaking

of the “Enigma” code, whereas information

acquired by Augustyn and Roman Träger led

to bombing of the German Army Research

Centre in Peenemünde, which worked on

development of the V1 and V2 rockets. In

January 1945, Bydgoszcz was liberated from

German occupation by the Soviet Army and

the First Polish Army.

Since March 1945, Bydgoszcz served

first as the capital of Pomeranian Province

and later of Bydgoszcz Province. The post-

war years marked further fast growth of the

city. New neighbourhoods were developed,

including Kapuściska, Błonie, Wyżyny, and

the biggest district of the city, New Fordon.

Development of the latter one included


Marian Rejewski (1905-1980) was a mathematician and cryptologist born in Bydgoszcz. In 1932, along with Henryk Zygalski and Jerzy Różycki, he broke the code of “Enigma”, a German enciphering machine used by Nazi Germany. The breaking of the “Enigma” code had undoubtedly contributed to the final victory of the Allies over Hitler, shortening the war by several years. Rejewski had lived and worked in Bydgoszcz for many years. He is commemorated by a monument in Gdańska Street, a bench, on which he sits with notes in his hands and “Enigma” nearby.


Marian Rejewski’s bench

24

incorporation of the town of Fordon

(p. 135) to Bydgoszcz in 1973. Industry

had been booming, in particular chemical

production, food processing, and electrical

engineering. The municipal authorities

had significantly expanded the existing

industrial plants. Such factories as Eltra,

Jutrzenka, Zachem, Kobra, Kabel, and Romet

became the pride of the city (p. 115). In the

1970’s, the Myślęcinek Forest Park of Culture

and Recreation (p. 66) was developed

north of the city centre. This vast municipal

park is called the lungs of Bydgoszcz. Music

plays an important role in Bydgoszcz.

Thanks to the efforts of, among others,

Andrzej Szwalbe, the State Pomeranian

Philharmonic (p. 38) and the Opera

Theatre started to operate in the 1950’s. recognized landmarks of the city.

On March 16, 1981, the national farmers’

strike was organized by the “Rural Solidarity”

in Bydgoszcz. During the “Bydgoszcz

March Events”, the invited members of the

Bydgoszcz “Solidarity” led by Jan Rulewski

were severely beaten at a session of the

Voivodeship National Council.

In 1999, Bydgoszcz became a co-capital

(along with Toruń) of a newly established

province called Kujawsko-Pomorskie

Voivodeship. In 2004, the Diocese of

Bydgoszcz was established by the decision of

Pope John Paul II. In this way, the oldest place

of worship in Bydgoszcz, late-Gothic Fara

Church, was raised to the rank of cathedral.

A year later, the first Bydgoszcz university -

Kazimierz Wielki University - was opened

Andrzej Szwalbe (1923-2002), who managed the Pomeranian Philharmonic for many years, Honorary Citizen of Bydgoszcz since 1993, was undoubtedly the moving power of cultural life in Bydgoszcz after the Second World War. Thanks to his involvement and remarkable energy, the new buildings of the Opera, Philharmonic, Gallery bwa were built, and the Feliks Nowowiejski Academy of Music was founded. He created a music district, in which his monument can be seen these days.


In a short period, both institutions won

recognition and a group of devoted fans

in the country and abroad. They received

new seats, which are listed among the most

Exhibition in the Exploseum

25

based on the existing Bydgoszcz Academy.

In November 2006, the second university

was established in Bydgoszcz, which was

founded as a result of restructuring of the

Academy of Technology and Agriculture to

the Jan and Jędrzej Śniadecki University of

Technology and Life Sciences. These days,

Bydgoszcz is a major industrial (Bydgoszcz

Industrial and Technological Park, PESA,

Unilever, and Atos) and cultural centre

(Pomeranian Philharmonic, Opera Nova,

Polish Theatre, District Museum, Municipal

Gallery bwa). Since 2010, Bydgoszcz has

been hosting the International Film Festival

of the Art of Cinematography “Camerimage”.

The city is also bustling with exciting

sporting events (volleyball, athletics,

football, speedway, basketball, and rowing),

thanks to modern infrastructure (including

the “Łuczniczka” Sports & Entertainment

Hall, Zawisza Stadium, marina, and boat race

course). Bydgoszcz is also a major college

city, featuring two universities, Academy of

Music, Collegium Medicum of the Nicolaus

Copernicus University, and several large

private higher education schools, which

are attended by a total of 40,000 students.

The city boasts commendable military

traditions, which are now continued by

the Inspectorate for Armed Forces Support

and the NATO training centre – Joint Force

Training Centre. In addition, Bydgoszcz is

one of Poland’s leaders in revitalization

and restoration of riverside areas, bringing

them back to the city. The Bydgoszcz Water

Junction, part of the international waterway

E70, and Mill Island are the pride of the city

and its landmarks. Many historic sites and

symbols of Bydgoszcz have been developed

on the water over centuries.

On May 1, 2004, the city celebrated

Poland’s accession to the European Union.

On that occasion, the “Man Crossing the

River” Sculpture (p. 83) was unveiled,

which quickly became the new symbol of

Bydgoszcz. The honorary consulates for


Bydgoszcz residents also contri-buted to overthrow of the commu-nist regime of the Polish People’s Republic. In 1956, during a protest against the ban on free speech, the radio station on the Dąbrowski Hill, jamming foreign programs broadcasted for Poland, was de-stroyed.


Sundial at the Collegium Copernicanum

26

Germany, Belgium, Czech Republic, Croatia

and Hungary were opened in the city as

well.

In recent years, the city has been

consistently turning its focus on the water.

The revitalized Mill Island along with a

modern marina became the new landmarks

of the city. In addition, thanks to such

investment projects as reconstruction

of boulevards on the River Brda and

revitalization of the park on the Old

Bydgoszcz Canal, Bydgoszcz residents and

visitors can enjoy additional recreation sites

on the river. Other major investments in

tourist infrastructure include restoration and

opening to the public the old German nitro-

glycerine factory “DAG Fabrik Bromberg”

as Exploseum (p. 64), establishing of the

Museum of Waterworks in the historical

Water Tower and Gdańsk Forest, making

the Bydgoszcz tourist offer very diverse.

The statue Archer Lady Nova (near the

Opera Nova), unveiled in 2013, has already

become a symbol of changes taking place in

Bydgoszcz.

Mill Island

Archer Lady Nova

27

Explore Bydgoszcz | Sports in Bydgoszcz

Sports in Bydgoszcz

Bydgoszcz is a city which is frequently

associated with sports. There are many

sports clubs and institutions with deep-

rooted traditions, known not only in Poland,

but also worldwide.

Numerous sporting facilities have

witnessed historic events taking place in

the city. The boat race course in Brdyujście,

“Łuczniczka” Sports & Entertainment Hall

and Zawisza Stadium are some of the local

arenas hosting international sporting

competitions. Bydgoszcz has produced

and trained our most outstanding national

champions, champions of Europe and the

world, and Olympic winners.

A brief history of sports

Many generations of local residents

have contributed to the positive image

of Bydgoszcz sports. They include those,

who nearly a hundred years ago, after the

return of Bydgoszcz to Poland, celebrated

their patriotism by establishing the city’s

first athletic associations, organizations and

clubs. Sports activity was combined with

patriotic education. It developed not only

physical fitness, but also taught tradition,

history, and respect towards the idea. Until

1920, the local Germans were predominately

involved in organized sport. The city had

football clubs, gymnastic societies, a tennis

club, and the Frithjof rowing association,

which was the best known rowing club in

that period. The only counterbalance to

the German dominance in this field was the

Sokół Gymnastic Society, which was active

in Bydgoszcz from 1886. It promoted hiking

and biking trips, and organized gymnastic

shows.

Zbigniew Boniek, one of Poland’s most popular football players was born and started his career in Bydgoszcz. The present president of the Polish Football Association (since 2012) is an alumnus of Zawi-sza Bydgoszcz Club (currently in the Premier League), in which he played in 1968-1975.


Fans in Bydgoszcz

28

On the waterOn March 16, 1920, the Tryton Rowing

Association was founded, which was soon

renamed the Bydgoszcz Rowing Association

(BTW). It initiated a new, this time Polish

history of sports in the city. Thanks to BTW,

Bydgoszcz became one of the major rowing

centres in Poland. During the 1928 Olympics

in Amsterdam, the coxed four from BTW

won the bronze medal, the first Olympic

medal in the history of Polish rowing. After

the war, the most popular athlete of the

club was Teodor Kocerka, repeated Olympic

bronze medallist from Helsinki and Rome,

the nineteen-time champion of Poland,

medallist of the Championships of Europe

and the double winner of the Diamond Oars

for victory at the Royal Regatta on the River

Thames.

In April 1920, on the initiative of the

Terminators’ Association, the Gwiazda Club

was established, which popularized such

sports as basketball, fencing, kayaking, and

wrestling. It launched careers of such well-

known Polish athletes as Stefan Majewski

– footballer and coach, member of the

Polish national team at the World Cup in

Spain and Mexico; Marian Sypniewski – foil

fencer, repeated Olympic medallist, and the

1978 world champion; Daniela Walkowiak –

kayaker, a three-time Olympian, winner of

the bronze medal in K-2 in Rome in 1960,

multi-time national champion, who also

represented the Zawisza Bydgoszcz Club.

Rowing crew on the River Brda

29


The “Gwiazda” Marina is located near the

Gwiazda Stadium. This marina, meeting

all European standards, was opened in

2009. Situated on the Bydgoszcz Canal,

in the proximity of historic locks, it offers

everything that is needed by water sports

enthusiasts. It should be added that a new,

modern marina with a hotel was built on Mill

Island, in the city centre.

The Regional Rowing Association

LOTTO-Bydgostia (RTW), the successor of

the Railway Rowing Club, is a prominent

rowing organization. RTW is a 25-time (until

2013) Team Champion of Poland. It has

been successful in defending this title for

over twenty years (starting from 1993). This

result is quite unique in Europe. The most

famous athlete of the club is Robert Sycz,

repeated Olympic champion in lightweight

double sculls from Sydney and Athens (with

Tomasz Kucharski, AZS Gorzów). Bartłomiej

Pawełczak and Miłosz Bernatajtys won a

silver medal in the coxless four at the Beijing

Olympic Games. Magdalena Fularczyk and

Julia Michalska won silver medal in double

sculls at the Olympic Games in London in

2012.

On the racewayPolonia Bydgoszcz, which was founded

in May 1920, was initially a football club. Later,

it added such sports as hockey, athletics,

tennis, cycling, and speedway. Feliks Więcek,

whose daily job was journeyman butcher,

won the first Race Around Poland (known

today as Tour de Pologne) in 1928. Marian

Norkowski, aka “Mala”, was the most famous

footballer of Polonia, an Olympian in Rome,

the top goal scorer in the Premier League in

1960, with 17 goals. In the 1950’s and 1960’s,

Polonia hockey players were winning silver

and bronze medals at championships. In

1966, Polonia junior hockey players were

the best team in their age category in the

country. However, the deep-rooted history

of the hockey team ended, as in many similar

clubs, in 1989/90. Henryk Drzymalski, who is

described as the second best tennis player

in our history, just after Fibak, marked a

beautiful chapter in the history of Polonia. In

1974, he was the best, beating his great rival

and friend in the final of the Championships

of Poland.

However, the most successful group

of Polonia Bydgoszcz was its speedway

team, winner of Team and Individual

Championships of Poland, in both junior and

Speedway competitions at the Polonia Bydgoszcz Stadium

30

senior categories. Mieczysław Połukard was

Poland’s first speedway rider who competed

in the final of Individual Championships of

the World.

Bydgoszcz has hosted international

speedway competitions for many years.

Some of the events organized at the Polonia

stadium in Sportowa Street include the

Individual Championships of Poland, since

1998 Speedway Grand Prix competitions,

Speedway World Team Cup competitions,

and since 1982 the Polish Speedway Cup

competitions. In 2012, Bydgoszcz hosted the

semi-final of the Speedway World Team Cup

with the participation of the national team

of Poland. The Bydgoszcz Polonia Club has

its own speedway team in the Polish league,

hosting speedway events at its stadium. In

2014, Polonia Bydgoszcz organized for the

16th time the Individual Speedway World

Championship, Grand Prix. In 2014, the

Polonia raceway will also host a play-off and

final of the Speedway World Team Cup.

The most outstanding rider in the history of Polish speedway is Tomasz Gollob, a former member of the Polonia Club. This individual and team world champion is a multi-time national champion.

Did you know that...There is only one queen

Athletics, “Queen of Sports”, has reigned

in Bydgoszcz for many years. One of the

Honorary Citizens of Bydgoszcz is Teresa

Ciepły, sprinter and hurdler, Olympic bronze

medallist in Rome, who won the gold and

silver medals in Tokyo. Zdzisław Krzyszkowiak

was named patron of the Zawisza sports

31

stadium. He was an Olympic champion in

Rome, champion of Europe, and a 3000

metres steeplechase world record holder.

These two great sports personalities forged

the way for new generations of Bydgoszcz

athletes. The Military Sports Group, which was

established at CWZS, includes pole vaulters

Łukasz Michalski and Paweł Wojciechowski

– Champion of the World, middle distance

runner Marcin Lewandowski, hurdler Dominik

Bochenek, and sprinter Marika Popowicz.

All of them have already won medals at

championships of Europe and the world. In

addition, the Military Sports Group at CWZS

Zawisza brings together other athletes,

representing such sports as rowing, kayaking

– champion of the world Piotr Siemionowski,

shooting and weightlifting – champion of the

world Marcin Dołęga.


Athletic competitions at the Zawisza Bydgoszcz Stadium

Every year, between May and April, the city hosts a 10-kilometre race called “Bydgoszcz na Start.”


32

Over the net,under the basket,and between the goalsFour Bydgoszcz teams play in the top

national leagues:

Â Male volleyball players of Trans-

fer Bydgoszcz, who (as Delecta

Bydgoszcz) were ranked fourth in

the Premier League in the 2012-2013

season, which was their greatest

accomplishment;

Â Female basketball players of Artego

Bydgoszcz were ranked third in

the 2013-2014 season of the Polish

Premier League;

Â Bydgoszcz Women’s Football Club

currently plays in the Women’s

Premier Football League;

Â Great football returned to Bydgoszcz

thanks to the Zawisza Bydgoszcz

team. After 19 years the team advan-

Not only first-classathletes Starting from the late 1990’s, the city has been

hosting many prominent sporting events,

particularly athletics meetings. It organized

the First IAAF World Junior Championships

for youth (under-18) athletes in 1999, the

European Athletics Championships for

athletes under the age of 23, SPAR European

Cup, IAAF World Junior Championships,

IAAF World Cross Country Championships,

and the European Athletics Festival. The

Zdzisław Krzyszkowiak Zawisza Stadium is a

perfect venue for athletics competitions. Its

fantastic atmosphere encourages athletes to

achieve great results. The Zawisza Stadium is

an advanced facility, modernized from scratch

in 2007-2008, meeting the standards of the

International Association of Athletics

Federations (IAAF). Its stands can seat over

20,000 spectators. The building under the

new stand features conference rooms,

restaurants, fitness rooms, and the Bydgoszcz

ced (in 2013) to the Premier League

and won the Cup of Poland (2014).

Football has had throngs of devoted

fans in Bydgoszcz. The older ones still re-

member the teams of Polonia and Zawisza

that played in the Premier League in the

1950’s and 1960’s, whereas the younger

ones recall the time of Miłoszewicz, Boniek,

and Brończyk.

Zdzisław Krzyszkowiak Zawisza Bydgoszcz Stadium

33

Sports Gallery. During the last decade, the

Zawisza Stadium has hosted several games

of the Polish national football team.

The city is also proud of its “Łuczniczka” Sports

& Entertainment Hall, which was opened in

2002. This state-of-the-art facility, sitting

picturesquely on the River Brda, serves as a

venue hosting sporting events, exhibitions,

and concerts. It can seat over 6,000 spectators.

Since 2005, Łuczniczka has been organizing

Pedro’s Cup Bydgoszcz attracting the

world’s best athletes and hordes of fans. The

unique atmosphere of the competition and

enthusiastic fans attract a host of athletic

stars to Bydgoszcz. Łuczniczka also organizes

events for volleyball fans, who were able to

see competitions of the Men’s Volleyball

World League, European Championships

and Grand Prix in women’s volleyball, and the

Hubert Wagner Memorial in 2010. In August

2011, another edition of the World Grand Prix

was inaugurated in Bydgoszcz. Other exciting

events organized in this arena include games

of the North-South Polish Basketball League,

Polish national teams and stars, European

Basketball Championship for men in 2009

and for women in 2011. In 2010, Łuczniczka

hosted the Poland-Belgium tennis match of

FEDCUP, which was attended by Poland’s best

tennis player Agnieszka Radwańska. In April,

2011, Krzysztof “Diablo” Włodarczyk defended

his WBC (World Boxing Council) cruiserweight

world champion title.

Bydgoszcz has been hosting the

Bydgoszcz Rowing Regatta for the Brda Cup

since 1992. This boat race becomes more

popular with each year. It attracts the best


rowers from Germany, Belarus, Lithuania and

Ukraine, as well as the legendary Cambridge

and Oxford crews. The event draws crowds

of tourists to the city and residents who

are interested in this unusual boat race of

coxed eights. It should be remembered

that Bydgoszcz boat races involving both

rowers and kayakers are organized primarily

In September 2014, six games will be played here in the Volleyball Men’s World Championship. This tournament led to the construction of “Łuczniczka Bis”, which is currently being built next to the main arena. During the Championships, it will be used as a training facility. It will seat 1,479 spectators. After the championships, it will be used by local sports clubs.


Volleyball competitions at HSW Łuczniczka

34

at Brdyujście boat race course, which hosts

many prominent national events. Some of

the athletes who train here include Beata

Mikołajczyk, Champion of the World and

Europe, and medallist of the Olympic Games

in Beijing and London in women’s canoe

sprint K-2.

Sports in Bydgoszcz are associated

not only with competitions of athletes.

Considerable experience, professional work,

great results of preparations and excellent

final results of sporting events hosted by the

city have been recognized by participants and

visitors invited from all over the world.

Bydgoszcz was also noticed in the 76th

Plebiscite of sports daily “Przegląd Sportowy”

and Polish Television. The city was awarded

the Champion statuette and the title Poland’s

Sporting Events Host of the Year 2010.

Watch sportsSports enthusiasts should visit the

exhibition at the Bydgoszcz Sports Gallery,

offering a unique time and space travel. The

Gallery shows the deeply-rooted history of

sports in the city, rekindles memories and

encourages living through the greatest

sports thrills. The exhibition features, among

other things, archive materials concerning

the Zawisza Stadium, presents archives and

trophies of the Bydgoszcz clubs, medals won

by local disabled athletes, as well as souvenirs,

equipment and awards of the Olympic

medallists. The Gallery also serves as the seat

of the Regional Olympic Council.

136 Gdańska St., tel. +48 52 588 08 39,

www.galeria-sportu.pl,

Mon-Fri 8:00 am- 4:00 pm

Regular SportingEvents:Pedro’s Cup, January/February,

www.pedroscup.pl – International Athletics

Indoor Meeting, during which the best

athletes compete in many sports. For several

years it has attracted disabled athletes and

competitions between Bydgoszcz schools.

European Athletics Festival, June, www.

efl.bydgoszcz.pl – This event has become a

permanent fixture in the calendar of Polish

and European athletics competitions.

Rowing Regatta

35


Speedway Grand Prix, www.speedwaygp.com – A very important event in the calendar of

speedway fans. On this day, the top sixteen speedway riders compete in Bydgoszcz to score

the best result in the World Championship standings. The Grand Prix event was hosted by

Bydgoszcz at the stadium in 2 Sportowa Street for the fifteenth time in 2014.

Bydgoszcz Rowing Regatta for the Brda Cup, September, www.wielkawioslarska.pl – Boat

races organized on the River Brda between the Bernardyński Bridge and Sulimy-Kamińskiego

Bridge.

Bydgoszcz Double Marathon, www.dwumaraton.pl – A series of five meetings in the winter

months, during which participants have to run two marathon courses. They are picturesquely

located on the Bydgoszcz Canal.

Useful addresses:Astoria Sports and Entertainment Hall 23 Królowej Jadwigi St., tel. +48 52 325 73 50GWIAZDA Sports Club45 Bronikowskiego St., tel. +48 52 379 78 01Zdzisław KrzyszkowiakZawisza Sports Complex/StadiumCWZS “Zawisza” Sports Hall 163 Gdańska St., tel. +48 52 588 08 01, www.zawisza.bydgoszcz.plŁUCZNICZKASports and Entertainment Hall ul. Toruńska 59, tel. +48 52 376 22 00, www.luczniczka.bydgoszcz.pl

Tennis courts“ZAWISZA” BKS Sports Club 2 Żupy St., tel. +48 52 371 88 19 – Two outdoor courtsCWZS “ZAWISZA”163 Gdańska St. – Five outdoor courts (3 courts closed in winter), tel. +48 601 783 541

TKKF ŚRÓDMIEŚCIE10a Markwarta St. – Four outdoor courts, tel. +48 602 281 114 TKKF ZJEDNOCZENI33b Skłodowskiej-Curie St. – Five courts (outdoor)tel. +48 52 342 17 19 TKKF ŚWIT70 Nakielska St. – Four courts (outdoor), tel.+48 52 373 10 87TKKF ORZEŁ2a Abrahama St. – Four courts (outdoor), tel. +48 604 291 679Complex of Schools no. 5Konfederatów Barskich St.– two courts (indoor),Gen. Zygmunta Berlinga St.– two courts (indoor), tel. +48 52 343 66 67“Centrum” Tennis Club 8 Nowotoruńska St. – Four courts (outdoor), tel. +48 52 375 55 87, www.centrumtaem.plPARTNER Tennis Club2 Sportowa St. – two courts (indoor), tel. +48 52 583 00 59, www.phu-partner.com.pl

36

Bydgoszcz Tennis Association 61a Toruńska St. – Four courts, tel. +48 601 679 973

Swimming poolsBryza Swimming Pool, Elementary School No. 633 Goszczyńskiego St., tel. +48 52 340 47 17www.sp63.eu Perła Swimming Pool11 Grzymały-Siedleckiego St.tel. +48 52 361 58 26, www.perla.maximum.plAstoria Swimming Pool23 Królowej Jadwigi St.tel. +48 52 325 73 50, www.zawisza.bydgoszcz.pl(indoor and outdoor swimming pool)Laguna Swimming Pool117 Glinki St., tel. +48 52 345 17 62, www.zs26.nazwa.plIkar Swimming Pool7 Duracza St., tel. +48 52 343 09 66, www.sp65.bydgoszcz.plBajka Recreation Centre Swimming Pool7 Szczęśliwa St., tel. +48 52 344 74 90, www.bajka.bydgoszcz.plSardynka Swimming Pool7 Sardynkowa St., tel. +48 52 372 27 70, www.basensardynka.prv.plSwimming Pool of the Complex of Medical Schools10 Swarzewska St., tel. +48 52 342 37 53, www.medyk.bydgoszcz.plSwimming Pool of the Youth Palace27 Jagiellońska St., tel. +48 52 321 00 81, www.palac.bydgoszcz.pl

Boat Race Course in BrdyujścieThe boat race course is located in the easternpart of Bydgoszcz, at 26 Witebska Street.

Rollerblading trails:- Trail alongside Gdańska Street in Myślęcinek

- Trail in the Bydgoszcz Industrial Park- Myślęcinek – between the little lakes and the ZOO

- Myślęcinek – the main alley (Hipiczna Street)

Jogging trails:- On the Old Canal- Park Route in Myślęcinek- Running trail alongside Kamienna Street- Running trail in the Death Valley- Trail across the Bydgoszcz Forest, alongsideDąbrowa Street

- Trail alongside the boulevard on the River Brda

- Running trail in the Industrial Park

The CALISTHENICS ACADEMY has been operating in Bydgoszcz since 2013. Calisthenics are physical activities consisting in using one’s own body weight to exercise. People can test their physical fitness at the CALISTHENICS PARK at 3 Strzelecka Street.


37

Cultural Bydgoszcz

The beauty of Bydgoszcz consists in the

fact that the city remains largely unexplored

in terms of history, architecture, and

culture. It waits to be explored by both local

residents and tourists.

The cultural offer of Bydgoszcz is very

broad thanks to such institutions as the

Pomeranian Philharmonic, the Opera Nova,

and the Municipal Centre for Culture, which

hosts social meetings, concerts, and movie

screenings in the Orzeł Cinema. In addition,

the Centre administers the “Wspólna”

Gallery and the Ostromecko Palace and Park

(p. 147). Once a year, Bydgoszcz becomes a

capital of international cinema thanks to the

CAMERIMAGE International Film Festival of

the Art of Cinematography.

Explore Bydgoszcz | Cultural Bydgoszcz

Camerimage International Film Festival

38

Musical Bydgoszcz

Bydgoszcz has for years been deservedly

called a city of music. The musical traditions of

the city date back to the 17th century, when

the local Jesuit College had a theatre staging

performances involving music and singing.

Numerous choirs and music ensembles,

which had been active in later years,

continued these traditions. They were also

involved in preserving the Polish language

in the city, where the Germans were in the

vast majority. After the Second World War,

Bydgoszcz gained in popularity thanks to

Arnold Rezler’s Orchestra, which from 1945

operated at the Polish Radio Broadcasting

Station in Bydgoszcz.

However, the man who had preserved

this musical image of the city was Andrzej

Szwalbe, a long-term director of the I. J.

Paderewski Pomeranian Philharmonic in

Bydgoszcz.

The Pomeranian Philharmonic founded

on January 1, 1953 is the pride of Bydgoszcz.

After the death of Andrzej Szwalbe, in order to commemorate his great service to Bydgoszcz, the name of the street in which the Philharmonic stands was changed. It used to stand in Libelta Street, which is currently renamed Andrzeja Szwalbego Street.


Pomeranian Philharmonic

39


It’s not only a place of music, but also a place

of culture. The Philharmonic is decorated

with innumerable busts of composers,

standing inside and outside this stately

building, as well as an extensive collection

of tapestries commissioned by Andrzej

Szwalbe, made by outstanding Polish artists.

The Philharmonic has a concert hall that

boasts the best acoustics in Poland and one

of the best in Europe. Therefore, it is used for

recordings made by great musicians, who in

interviews frequently praise the acoustics

of the Bydgoszcz concert hall. It also hosts

some of the oldest music festivals in Poland.

One of them is the Bydgoszcz Music Festival,

organized since 1963. Alternately with the

Bydgoszcz Music Festival, the Philharmonic

hosts a unique festival called Musica Antiqua

Europae Orientalis – Festival of Early Music

of Central and Eastern Europe. It has been

organized since 1966, attracting artists and

musicologists with truly encyclopaedic

names.

A beautiful chapter in the history of

the city is marked by the International

Paderewski Piano Competition, organized by

the I. J. Paderewski Music Society. It’s worth

mentioning that Jerzy Maksymiuk was the

winner of the first competition held in 1961.

Every three years, Bydgoszcz attracts young,

talented pianists from all over the world. They

present to the audience their craft and the

wealth of music composed by Paderewski

and his contemporaries. The high rank of the

competition is confirmed by the fact that

it was accepted to the World Federation of

International Music Competitions in Geneva,

being listed in the group of 128 most

prestigious music competitions in the world.

A sizeable collection of Andrzej Szwalbe’s pianos, which was once featured in the Pomeranian Philharmonic, is now displayed in Ostromecko Palace.


One of the pianos from Andrzej Szwalbe’s collection, which is now displayed in Ostromecko

40

Spring belongs to the Bydgoszcz Opera

Festival, which entered the calendar of music

events in April 1994. Initially, it was supposed

to help in the construction of the opera

building, which had continued for over twenty

years. The first festival was held in the building

under construction, featuring walls without

plaster, audiences sitting on folding chairs,

cables hanging from the ceiling and lots of

dust everywhere. However the atmosphere

during the first festival was very unique, hard

to find in similar events. Today, the festival

lives a life of its own, and the Opera Nova is

regarded as one of the most modern and

beautiful buildings in Poland. Situated on the

We can undoubtedly say that Ignacy Jan Paderewski became Bydgoszcz’s patron of music, lending his name to the local piano competition, the Music Society, Pomeranian Philharmonic, and finally Bydgoszcz Airport, which also bears the name of this outstanding statesman and brilliant pianist.


41


River Brda, it serves as the cultural landmark

of the city. It attracts opera ensembles from

all over the world, including the famous

contemporary Swedish Cullberg Ballet, Béjart

Ballet of Lausanne, ensembles from Cuba,

Spain and many other countries. Therefore,

it’s not surprising that the Bydgoszcz Opera

Festival draws opera aficionados from all over

Poland to Bydgoszcz. It should be mentioned

that Bydgoszcz has a year-long calendar of

opera events, reporting some of the highest

attendances in the country for events.

The repertoire is dominated by the most

notable performances, loved by audiences,

including Verdi’s La Traviata and Nabucco, and

Puccini’s Tosca. It also produces less known

performances which are rarely shown by

other opera theatres in Poland such as Arrigo

Boito’s Mefistofele and Amilcare Ponchielli’s La

Gioconda, to name just a few. As we can see,

Bydgoszcz was deservedly called the music

heartland by the notable music critic Jerzy

Waldorff.

The musical image of Bydgoszcz is

completed by the F. Nowowiejski Academy

of Music, whose most outstanding graduate

is Rafał Blechacz, winner of the 15th

International Chopin Piano Competition.

Concerts given by students and teachers

of this school, just to mention the series

“Academy in Historic Sites”, became

permanent items in the calendar of cultural

events in the city.

The local Music District, the only

neighbourhood of this type in Poland, is

very unique. It comprises three institutions,

namely the Pomeranian Philharmonic,

Academy of Music and A. Rubinstein Complex

of Music Schools. As far as contemporary

music is concerned, we need to mention the

local cult club which is “Mózg”. Every year, it

organizes the “Mózg Festiwal”, which presents

alternative music from across the world. The

Eljazz Club organizes the Jazz Festival, inviting

well-known jazz musicians to Bydgoszcz. For

those who prefer a heavier sound, StageBar

is a perfect concert venue.

Opera Nova

11th Bydgoszcz Jazz Festival

42

Bydgoszcztheatres

There is a reason why our outstanding

theatre critic Adam Grzymała-Siedlecki

chose Bydgoszcz as his place of residence in

1922. The Municipal Theatre was operating

in the city as early as 1920, playing great

Polish dramas led by the plays written by

Słowacki and Wyspiański. At that time,

theatre was supposed to unite Poles, giving

them Polish words and teaching them

patriotism. Wanda Siemaszkowa, the first

director of the Municipal Theatre, took a

big risk when she decided to play operas

and operettas in the theatre, hoping to

attract audiences in great numbers. The first

production staged in 1921 was Stanisław

Moniuszko’s Halka. This performance

shows that the selection of both dramatic

and musical repertoire was influenced by

the patriotic factor at that time. A similar

situation took place after the Second World

War. Even before all the cannons had fallen

silent, Polish words were coming from

the stage. The first post-war premiere was

Aleksander Fredro’s Zemsta (The Revenge),

staged on March 27, 1945. Witnesses

recalled that when the actors were reciting

the words written by Fredro, spectators

were crying. These days, the Bydgoszcz

theatre is known primarily for its Festival of

World Premieres held in autumn, attracting

theatres and critics from all over Poland.

The festival creates a unique opportunity

to show the world’s contemporary plays.

Bydgoszcz is a place to watch the most

recent plays performed according to the

visions of the most outstanding directors,

which charm or outrage audiences. The main

focus of the Polish Theatre in Bydgoszcz is its

contemporary message and dialogue with

the viewer.

“The Cherry Orchard”, Polish Theatre

43

Artistic Bydgoszcz

The Leon Wyczółkowski District

Museum has several buildings in various

parts of the city. The vast majority of them

are situated on the picturesque Mill Island. It

features Leon Wyczółkowski’s House, which

is a museum building with restored interiors

of a house in nearby Gościeradz, in which

the patron of the Bydgoszcz museum used

to live in the early 20th century. Here, we can

admire the splendid paintings and graphic

artworks made by Wyczółkowski and enjoy

the unique belle époque atmosphere. Next

to it, the spacious Red Granary features the

Contemporary Art Gallery with a sizeable

collection of contemporary paintings. The

collection comprises over 5,000 works made

by the most accomplished Polish artists

during the last decades. The interesting Art

Nouveau collections, in which the Museum

specializes, also deserve mention.

Mill Island is called the Island of

Museums, but Gdańska Street, which is the

main thoroughfare of the city, is also known

for its contemporary art exhibited by the

Municipal Gallery, bwa. Established in 1949

as the Artistic Exhibitions’ Agency, it was

supposed to showcase the accomplishments

of a large group of local artists from

Bydgoszcz and Toruń. In addition bwa has

hosted exhibitions presenting works of


Leon Wyczółkowski’s House

44

such internationally known artists as Andy

Warhol, Pablo Picasso, and Salvador Dali.

At 5 Chocimska Street, there is one

of Poland’s oldest private galleries. The

“Autorska” Gallery, founded in 1975 by

painter Jan Kaja and graphic artist Jacek

Soliński, is a unique establishment. It

organizes exhibitions of artists coming from

various communities and cities, as well as

poetry evenings, meetings with writers,

performances, concerts, and lectures.

These are only some of the addresses

that are worth remembering, since they

are known for their great traditions and

equally interesting present-day activities.

There are many more similar addresses. A

careful traveller will certainly discover them

when walking among the local Art Nouveau

tenement houses. The space between them

is also filled with culture, particularly in the

summer. A street art festival, known as the

Buskers Festival, has become a popular

event hosted by the city. Thanks to the

artists who perform within an arm’s reach, a

unique atmosphere is created in the city in

the summer.

Regular events:

04[April]Bydgoszcz Opera Festival,

www.opera.bydgoszcz.pl

International cultural event – presentation

of the most interesting opera and ballet

productions, an event with a recognized

artistic brand and tradition.

International Competition for Young

Pianists Arthur Rubinstein in memoriam,

www.konkurs-rubinstein.bydgoszcz.pl

The idea of the competition was inspired by

the words of Arthur Rubinstein, who when

giving a concert in the newly built hall of the

Pomeranian Philharmonic in 1960 said: You

have a great concert hall, which should serve

as a venue of international concerts.

Bydgoszcz Festival “Travellers”,

www.podroznicy.byd.pl

A two-day holiday of travel inspirations,

providing an opportunity for moving into

the world of travel.

05[May]European Night of Museums

The main idea of this event is popularisation of

museum collections amongst broad audiences.

Night visiting is accompanied by vernissages,

lectures, workshops, concerts and shows.

45

Air Fair “Everything for Aviation”,

www.airfair.pl

Consolidation of the aviation community, both

military and civilian. A perfect

opportunity for establishing relations

between entrepreneurs, manufacturers and

users of planes and aviation equipment.

Bydgoszcz Science Festival,

www.festiwal.ukw.edu.pl

A popular science event, showing in a simple

and friendly way the latest achievements of

science and technology.

Andrzej Zaucha Memorial Festival

“Serca Bicie”, www.zauchafestiwal.pl

This musical undertaking combines generations

and passions in one place, rekindling memories

of this popular singer and commemorating him.

06[June]Heading on Bydgoszcz,

www.sternabydgoszcz.pl

The biggest holiday of water sports enthusiasts

in Kujawsko-Pomorskie Voivodeship. It is a

unique project, combining the communities

of sailors, artists and travellers.

International Street Art Festival

Busker Fest,

www.buskerfest.pl

An international meeting of the community of

travelling artists called “buskers”. The festival

features concerts, shows, performances and

events presented in the streets of Bydgoszcz.


Bydgoszcz Buskers Festival

46

St. John’s Fair,

www.wok.bydgoszcz.com

Presentations of handicrafts made primarily

by folk artists from the areas of Kuyavia,

Kashubia, Pałuki, Tuchola Forest and Krajna.

There are also representatives of unique craft

trades from all over the country.

Bydgoszcz Music Impressions,

June-July,

www.bim.palac.bydgoszcz.pl

International Meetings of Musical Youth is a

festival attracting talented young people from

all over the world.

07[July]Bulwar Fest

Festival for hip-hop and guitar fans organized

by the Municipal Centre for Culture and the

StageBar Club.

09[September]The Premiere Festival

www.teatrpolski.pl

The Premiere Festival is a national theatre

festival organized since 2002 by the Polish

Theatre in Bydgoszcz. Its repertoire features

world premieres of theatre plays.

Kuyavian-Pomeranian Fair,

www.myslecinek.pl

Promotion of flavours, dances, music and

crafts from the entire region. The fair is also

an opportunity to taste regional delicacies,

serving also as a festival of early autumn fruit

and plants for our gardens.

10[October]Bydgoszcz Music Festival and Musica

Antiqua Europa Orientalis,

October-November,

www.filharmonia.bydgoszcz.pl

These festivals are the flagship cultural

events in the north of Poland. For over fifty

years they have been known as the leading

cultural brand of the Region of Kuyavia and

Pomerania.

Bydgoszcz Jazz Festival,

October-November,

bydgoszczjazzfestival.com.pl

Bydgoszcz Music Impressions

47


During eleven editions of the festival,

syncopated music lovers had an opportunity

to listen to internationally renowned jazz stars

as well as Polish and regional artists.

11[November]International Paderewski Piano

Competition,

www.konkurspaderewskiego.pl

One of the biggest international competitions

in Poland, held every three years. It

commemorates Ignacy Paderewski, Poland’s

brilliant virtuoso, composer and politician.

Muzyka u źródeł – Chamber Music Festival,

www.muzykauzrodel.art.pl

A unique artistic event, which has been

attracting chamber music lovers since 2009.

The concerts are hosted by the Barock

Quartet.

Mózg Festival, .festiwal.mozg.pl

The interests of the Mózg Festival include all

types of contemporary music, visual arts and

performance.

Drums Fuzje, www.mck-bydgoszcz.pl

www.mck-bydgoszcz.pl

The Festival presents outstanding Polish

percussionists along with invited jazz

musicians from Poland and abroad.

Camerimage, www.camerimage.pl

CAMERIMAGE International Film Festival of

the Art of Cinematography is the biggest and

best known festival dedicated to the art of

cinematographers.

Gdańska Street Festival

An outdoor event entertaining all residents of

the City Centre and visitors. Attractions include

discounts in local shops, guided tours, concerts

and shows.

Independence Day Celebrations,

www.bylot.pl

An event building the historical identity

of Bydgoszcz, through the participation of

residents of the city and region in historical

re-enactments, exhibitions, concerts and

accompanying activities, including sporting

events.

48

Useful addresses:

Youth Palace27 Jagiellońska St., tel. +48 52 321 00 81, www.palac.bydgoszcz.pl

Kuyavian-Pomeranian Cultural Centre6 Kościeleckich Sq. , tel. +48 52 585 15 06, www.wok.bydgoszcz.com

Municipal Centre for Culture12-14 Marcinkowskiego St., tel. +48 52 32 55 540, www.mck.bydgoszcz.pl

During weekends, an hour before a ticketed event.

Mon. Tue. Wed. Thurs. Fri. Sat. Sun. 10-20 10-20 10-20 10-20 10-20 - -

box office:

Pomeranian Philharmonic 6 Andrzeja Szwalbego St., tel. +48 52 321 04 67, www.filharmonia.bydgoszcz.pl

on the day of the concert, one hour beforeand one hour after the concert


box office:

Polish Theatre 2 Mickiewicza Av., tel. +48 52 339 78 18, www.teatrpolski.pl

15-50 PLN 15-35 PLN

Mon. Tue. Wed. Thurs. Fri. Sat. Sun. - 12-18 12-18 12-18 12-18 - -

box office:

Opera Nova5 Marszałka Focha St., tel.+48 52 325 15 02, www.opera.bydgoszcz.pl

*only during the day of the performance 20-80 PLN 20-50 PLN

Mon. Tue. Wed. Thurs. Fri. Sat. Sun. 18-19* 15-18 15-18 15-18 18-19* 15-18 16-18:30

box office:

Leon Wyczółkowski District Museum (Granaries on the River Brda)7 Grodzka St. and Mill Island (LeonWyczółkowski’s House, Modern Art Gallery,European Money Centreand Archaeological Collection)tel. +48 52 585 99 66, www.muzeum.bydgoszcz.pl

5 PLN 3 PLN up to 16 yrs. old/1 PLNguide: 10 PLNgroup guide: 30 PLNSaturdays - free admission

Mon. Tue. Wed. Thurs. Fri. Sat. Sun.Apr.-Sept.

- 10-17 10-17 10-19 10-17 11-17 11-17

Mon. Tue. Wed. Thurs. Fri. Sat. Sun.Oct.-Mar.

- 9-16 9-16 9-18 9-16 10-16 10-16

49


Museum of WaterworksPump Room: 242 Gdańska St.Water Tower: 1 Filarecka St.tel. +48 882 050 656, www.muzeum.mwik.bydgoszcz.pl

5 PLN 2 PLN 10 PLN

Mon. Tue. Wed. Thurs. Fri. Sat. Sun. 11-16 11-16 11-16 11-16 10-16 13-17 13-17

Museum of Land Forces2 Czerkaska St., tel. +48 52 378 20 26, www.muzeumwl.pl

6 PLN 4 PLN 3 PLN/personguide: 18 PLNTuesday: free admission

Mon. Tue. Wed. Thurs. Fri. Sat. Sun. - 8:30-15:30 8:30-15:30 8:30-15:30 8:30-15:30 - 10-14

ExploseumBydgoskich Przemysłowców St.www.exploseum.pl

After prior reservation arrannged by calling: +48 883 366 056 15 PLN 12 PLN 8 PLN/person

Mon. Tue. Wed. Thurs. Fri. Sat. Sun.Apr.-Sept.

- 9-17 9-17 10-19 9-17 9-17 9-17

Mon. Tue. Wed. Thurs. Fri. Sat. Sun.Oct.-Mar.

- 9-17 9-17 9-17 9-17 9-17 9-17

Museum of the Bydgoszcz Canal3 Nowogrodzka St., tel. +48 693 765 075, www.muzeumkanalu.pl

free admission

Mon. Tue. Wed. Thurs. Fri. Sat. Sun. - 8:30-15:30 8:30-15:30 8:30-15:30 8:30-15:30 - -

Museum of Photography14 Królowej Jadwigi St., tel. +48 52 567 00 07, www.muzeumfoto.byd.pl

5 PLN 3 PLN

Mon. Tue. Wed. Thurs. Fri. Sat. Sun. - 10-18 10-18 10-18 10-18 10-15 -

Museum of Education4 Marii Skłodowskiej-Curie St., tel. +48 52 342 65 90, www.muzeumoswiaty_bydgoszcz.republika.pl

1 PLN

Mon. Tue. Wed. Thurs. Fri. Sat. Sun. 8-15 9-17 8-15 - 8-15 - -

Museum of Soap and History of Dirt13-17 Długa St., tel. +48 52 515 70 15, www.muzeummydla.pl

12 PLN 36 PLN(children under 3 free of charge)After prior reservation

Mon. Tue. Wed. Thurs. Fri. Sat. Sun. 10-18 10-18 10-18 10-18 10-18 10-18 10-18

Museum of Photography

Night of Museums

50

Chamber of Bydgoszcz Railways TraditionsInwalidów St., tel. +48 698 357 411, www.btpk.weebly.com free admissionAfter prior reservation.

Bydgoszcz Sports Gallery 163 Gdańska St., tel. +48 52 588 08 39, www.galeria-sportu.pl

free admission


Bernardine Library (Witold Bełza Provin-cial and Municipal Public Library)39 Długa St., tel. +48 52 339 92 02

After prior reservation free admission

Mon. Tue. Wed. Thurs. Fri. Sat. Sun. 9-15:30 9-17 9-15:30 9-15:30 9-15:30 - -

Museum of Polish Diplomacyand Emigration4 Berwińskiego St., tel. +48 52 346 23 18

free admission


Municipal Gallery bwa20 Gdańska St., tel. +48 52 339 30 50, www.galeriabwa.bydgoszcz.pl

10 PLN 5 PLNguide – PLN 10 (until 3:00 pm)

Mon. Tue. Wed. Thurs. Fri. Sat. Sun. - 10-18 10-18 12-20 10-18 11:30-16:30 11:30-16:30

Museum of Pharmacy of the“Pod Łabędziem” Pharmacy 5 Gdańska St. (entrance from Drukarska Street), tel. +48 52 322 01 87

free admissionGuided tour– groups <15 people 30 PLN, – groups >15 people 2 PLN per person. After prior reservation

Mon. Tue. Wed. Thurs. Fri. Sat. Sun. 8-20 8-20 8-20 8-20 8-20 8-16 -

Exhibition at the Municipal Gallery bwa

51

Explore Bydgoszcz | Bydgoszcz Specialties

During your stay in Bydgoszcz, it’s

worth finding time to try local specialties.

There is something for everyone, including

chocolates, goose meat, locally brewed beer,

and bread with potatoes …

Bydgoszcz Specialties

While writing of sweets, we need to mention Bydgoszcz ice cream. For many years, in many polls, Bydgoszcz residents almost unanimously recommended Café Primo ice cream shop (18 Gdań-ska Street, the narrow access to the Kazimierz Wielki Park), with one special ice cream in the Bydgoszcz flavour.


Sweet history The love of Bydgoszcz residents for

sweets started before the First World War.

Elegant, family-owned cake shops and

bakeries were opened in the city centre.

They were serving tasty and always fresh

Danish pastries, cream puffs made from

choux pastry, and flummery. At home,

people delighted in the taste of chocolates

made by the “Lukullus” Sugar and Chocolate

Factory and the Tysler Brothers (both of

them were nationalized after the Second

World War, merged and named “Jutrzenka”,

which has been operating under this name

to this day).

Ask for fresh and tasty Danish pastries

in the morning in the bakery of Katarzyna

Erdmann at 2 Długa Street (over fifty

years of baking tradition and an oven that

remembers the First World War!) and the

bakery of the Bigoński family, founded in

1924 at 87 Gdańska Street. Its interior design

dates back to the interwar period; the décor

features the coat of arms of the bakers – two

griffins holding a pretzel.

Chocolates and baked goods made by Sowa

“Adam Sowa,” a family-owned confec-

tionery company founded in 1946, popular

among Bydgoszcz residents, has become

one of the tourist stops on the “sweet” map

of the city. One of the attractions is the hand-

made chocolates, known for their unique

flavour. Their secret is a thin layer of choco-

late, underneath which is an aromatic, liquid

ganache (filling). Residents and tourists also

delight in cakes and layer cakes, which were

52

the specialty of master baker Feliks Sowa, the

founder of the company. In 1962, he made

the first “flagship” chocolate layer cake in his

bakery. Sponge cake, layered with jam and

covered completely with melted milk choco-

late set popularity records. While visiting the

coffee house at 5 Mostowa Street, we can try

a cup of house coffee – “Sowa Café” and take

a look at reprints of photographs of old Byd-

goszcz, taken a hundred years ago.

Bread with potatoesPotato rye bread is one of the oldest

culinary recipes from the Bydgoszcz area.

In the past, bread was baked from flour

processed at a farm or purchased from

the mill. It was rather expensive. On the

other hand, the basic nutrition of the local

residents was based on cheap and generally

available potatoes. Clever housewives

quickly noticed that adding boiled and

mashed potatoes to the bread dough

increases the number of baked loaves and

improves the taste of the bread. In addition,

they reduced the perishability of the bread

and extended its freshness. Today, the only

establishment that preserves these old

traditions is the Bydgoszcz bakery Murmiłło.

Potato rye bread has a crispy, golden brown

crust and is soft inside,

having a flavour and aroma

of roasted potatoes. The

time of preparation of

this bread is very long,

22 hours; its baking time

is 1.5 hours. Thanks to its

unique features and long

history, the bread was

registered on the list of

traditional products of

the Ministry of Agriculture

and Rural Development.

It can be purchased in the

regional meat delicatessen,

JD Spychalscy, at 6 Batorego Street (while

stopping at this shop, we recommend

trying one of the house hams made using

traditional methods), in the Murmiłło

company store at 60 Sienkiewicza Street,

and at Zimmer Café, 7 Gdańska Street.

Pralines from Sowa confectionery

53

Goose meatRecently, the old-Polish traditions of

eating goose meat have been restored in

Kuyavia and Pomerania. It’s not surprising,

since the region is one of the biggest

producers of this tasty meat that has been

underestimated. The interest in goose meat is

noticeable in particular in November, on the

Feast of Saint Martin observed on November

11. This time is not accidental, since as early

as the 19th century goose breeding was

seasonal and lasted between spring and

late autumn, with slaughter carried out just

before November 11. On the Feast of Saint

Martin (the patron saint of birds, particularly

geese), people ate roast goose, sweetly

flavoured (with fruit). For winter, goose meat

was seasoned (chopped, raw meat that was

ripened) and cured (marinated and smoked

goose breasts). The latter were registered on

the list of traditional products of the Ministry

Did you know that...For many decades, the recipe of the potato rye bread was passed around by word of mouth. The recipe was finally written down for the first time in 1831 in the “Education for Peasants”, and later in 1915, in the “Cookbook for the Polish Nation”.


Bread from Murmiłło Bakery

54

of Agriculture and Rural Development.

Roast goose with fruit, cured goose meat,

goose liver pate, and soup made from goose

blood called “Czernina” are delicious meals

that can be tasted at the “Goose Meat Trail”:

Â “Weranda” Restaurant in the Bohema

Hotel,

Â “1921” Restaurant in the Pod Orłem

Hotel,

Â “Za Piecem” Restaurant,

Â “Warzelnia Piwa” Restaurant.

Did you know that...Poland is the biggest producer of goose meat in Europe, but only 10% of this meat is consumed domestically. The remaining part goes primarily to our neighbour from the west. Kołuda Goose is the only native variety of this poultry, bred not far from Bydgoszcz, in Kołuda Wielka.

Beer from the local brewery

The traditions of Bydgoszcz brewing

date back to the origins of the city. In the

14th century, every townsman, owner of a lot

within the city walls, had the right to brew and

sell beer. Bydgoszcz beer was served in inns, in

the area stretching from Wielkopolska to the

Baltic Sea. In the following century, this gold

beverage, due to its exceptional taste, was

one of six in the country exported abroad. This

boom continued until the mid-17th century.

In addition to the castle brewery, brew-

houses operated in local inns and taverns.

At the turn of the 20th century, Bydgoszcz

had as many as 13 breweries. The biggest of

them, Juliusz Strelow’s brewery in Ustronie

Street, set a record in filling bottles at 1,800

an hour in 1920. After the war, his property

was nationalized and turned into a facility

producing the famous Kujawiak beer.

Unfortunately, not much remains of

the magnificent old breweries. However,

Bydgoszcz has been proudly continuing its

beer making traditions through the Regional

Brewery (8 Poznańska Street), founded in

2011, whose terraces are situated in the

romantic Bydgoszcz Venice. Beer lovers can

select from among four types of local beer,

including Pils Wenecki, Koźlak Bydgoski,

Kasztelan z Bydgoszczy, and Pszeniczne

Młyńskie. Koźlak is a unique, strong and dark

beer of Bavarian type (Bock), made seasonally,

in winter.

55

Legend has it that this drink, brewed by

monks, was supposed to brighten the long

and ascetic period of Lent. On the other hand,

the name of Kasztelan z Bydgoszczy is related

to the first written record about

the city. Kastelanus de Budegac,

if we can trust the records, was

the founder of the city on the

River Brda. While in

brewery, we also

recommend asking

about the dark

honey ale, which is

the specialty of the

restaurant. All of the

mentioned varieties

of beer are not always

available, since they are brewed

in only two vats. When drinking a

beer, we can enjoy the beautiful

view of the entire Mill Island or tour the inside

of the establishment. For beer connoisseurs,

it can be a fascinating journey through

time. The Hop Room features a permanent

exhibition dedicated to the

history of Bydgoszcz brewing

and souvenirs related to beer,

presenting also a sizeable

collection of labels.

The Bydgoszcz Venice has

links not only to beer making,

but also the production of

alcoholic beverages.

In 1827-1945, in the area

of 2-4 Czartoryskiego Street,

was C.A. Franke’s distillery,

which delivered to the

residents of Bydgoszcz and the

region the famous chocolate

liqueurs and Advocaat (daily


Goose meat

56

Legend has it that in the 1970s, a prankster working in the Ku-jawiak Brewery, during renova-tion of installations, connected a beer pipe directly to the water pipeline. Residents of local stre-ets had beer coming out of their taps for half a day. Instead of calling emergency, they filled all available dishes with beer.

Did you know that... production of the company amounted to

10,000 litres of pure spirit). Warm water

generated during the rectification process

was used in the bath owned by the company.

The best known liqueur production plant

in Bydgoszcz was the company of Leistikow,

father of the outstanding painter and graphic

artist Walter Leistikow, co-founder of “Berlin

Art Nouveau”. Carl Leistikow’s pharmacy,

situated at the corner of Gdańska and

Śniadeckich Streets, sold “Kuyavian infusion

for vodka used for the stomach”.

Warzelnia Piwa (Brewery)

57

Explore Bydgoszcz | | Bydgoszcz Specialties

58

MUST DO

59

MUST DO

Must do

Bydgoszcz Marina

60

Relax in Myślęcinek

66

Find the 18th Meridian68

Take a cruise by Water Tram

61

Go on a trip on a historical bus62

Make soap yourself

63

Learn about the “explosive” history of Bydgoszcz64

61

Take a cruise by water tram

| Take a cruise by Water Tram

When visiting Bydgoszcz, you don’t

have to worry about getting bored. There

are many attractions. The only thing you can

worry about is if you have enough time to

see all of them.

Sunny cruise Bydgoszcz looks the most beautiful

from the river. The revitalized Mill Island,

renovation of the boulevards on the Brda

that is underway, historical hydrotechnical

facilities on the Bydgoszcz Canal, can be best

seen while taking a cruise by water tram.

These water trams, called Słonecznik I and

II, are modern and environmentally friendly

vessels, powered by solar energy, which can

carry 28 people on board. On weekends, the

historical M/S Bydgoszcz towboat is also in

operation, experiencing its “second youth”.

When: Water trams operate daily in

the summer season (between May and

September), several times a day (timetable

is available at www.zdmikp.bydgoszcz.pl

in the bookmark Bydgoszcz Water Tram).

Before the planned trip, we recommend

checking availability on the selected date,

since group reservations happen from time

to time:

tel. +48 52 582 27 64

Where: The main stop of the water

tram is located at Rybi Square. There is the

current timetable and information on routes,

which changes occasionally depending on

the situation on the waterway.

Price:

Słonecznik Boats:

5 PLN 2.50 PLN

MS Bydgoszcz:

8 PLN 4 PLN

Check for

reservation!

“Słonecznik” with the Opera Nova in the background

Must do

62

For those who feel better on land

than on water, Bydgoszcz offers trips by a

historical, hundred year old bus, Herbrand or

Red eNka made in the 1960s. Those who like

the atmosphere of Communist Poland will

enjoy a ride by “Ogórek” (cucumber), which

is our immortal bus Jelcz 043.

Jelcz buses, called colloquially “Ogórki”,

travel on two routes. No. 100 goes to

Myślęcinek, which is the biggest municipal

park in Poland. Route 101 runs from the

Old Town to the Bydgoszcz Wschód Railway

Station, where the Bydgoszcz Railways

Memorial Chamber operates in the summer

season. The main stop of “Ogórek” is in

Mostowa Street, just near the bridge and

is marked with a retro information post.

Historical trams start their run in Babia Wieś

and Myślęcinek.

The old bimbas (trams) “Herbrand”

and Red eNka travel on a special tourist

line No. 10 from Babia Wieś to Las Gdański

(Myślęcinek). Great fun for children is a trip

by Herbrand, made in Cologne in 1898, with

open balconies and the driver dressed in a

stylish uniform.

When: during the vacation season

(July-August), from the morning to the

evening. The current timetable and

route map are available at www.zdmikp.

bydgoszcz.pl in the bookmark Timetable

(timetable for special lines is available only

during the season).

Go on a trip on a historical bus

Jelcz buses, which offer special rides, come from the Transportation Museum in Paterek (a village in the area of Nakło nad Notecią). They were used on the sets of many Polish movies, including “Różyczka” and “Little Moscow”.


Price:

3 PLN 1.50 PLN

Only on weekends!

Historical “Ogórek”

63

| Make soap yourself

The oldest records about Bydgoszcz Baths date from the 14th century and regard a wooden bath, located on Mill Island. It was run by Tomasz Balneor (bath attendant), called “Plugawy” (Filthy), which could have been related to his job (pulling teeth, shaving heads, drawing blood, and cleaning the bath).


The world’s only Museum of Soap and Hi-

story of Dirt operates in Bydgoszcz. It offers

interactive time travel through the history of

cleanliness, dirt and soap making, which has

deep-rooted ties with Bydgoszcz. In the city

on the River Brda, the first Soap and Candle

Production Plant was founded as early as the

18th century in today’s Warmińskiego Street.

Make soap yourself

Production of the famous Persil and Cypisek

laundry soap originated in Bydgoszcz.

A visit to the Museum starts from washing

your hands in a tub. Then visitors move to

the workshop, where soap makers teach

them step by step how to make fragrant

soap. After the workshops, participants visit

all parts of this surprising museum.

When: The Museum is open all week,

between 10:00 am and 6:00 pm. Before

your planned visit, we recommend taking

a look on the Museum website at www.

muzeummydla.pl and check reservation

for the selected date. Shows are organized

every 90 minutes.

Where: 13 Długa Street,

www.muzeummydla.pl

Price:

12 PLN 36 PLN (up to 5 people)

Schedule your visit ahead!

Bydgoszcz soap bars

Must do

64

The secret of the mysterious ruins lay

hidden in the Bydgoszcz Forest for fifty years.

Only the older residents, remembering

the times of the Second World War, knew

that several kilometres from the operating

chemical plant and newly developed

industrial park, there was a place known

for inhuman forced labour involving over

40,000 workers of the former DAG Fabrik

Bromberg.

In 2008, the decision was made to

transform part of the area into a museum.

Out of several hundred buildings that in

1939-1945 were part of a huge concern

providing the Third Reich with nitroglycerin,

trinitrotoluene and smokeless powder, a

dozen or so were separated and connected

by tunnels. They are created by two twin

lines NGL – Betrieb, i.e. nitroglycerin

production. One of them was designated as

a museum – Exploseum, while the second

one, as a permanent ruin, shows the mark

left by time on the buildings and preserves

their original look.

A visit to the Exploseum provides

extensive knowledge on military

technology. A tour through its myriad,

murky and concrete corridors will certainly

be remembered for a long time.

When: Exploseum is open from

Tuesday to Sunday, between 9:00 am and

5:00 pm. Due to the unique nature of this

place, children under the age of six are not

admitted. Visiting is organized as guided

tours and takes about two hours. Therefore,

visits should be scheduled by phone. We

recommend wearing comfortable shoes.

The facility welcomes disabled visitors.

Where: The Museum is situated on the

outskirts of the city, in Bydgoszcz Industrial

Park. It can be easily accessed by car. Passing

through the gate, you will see signs which

will guide you to the destination. Tourist can

also use public transport. Bus no. 68 runs

twice a day to the Exploseum (before guided

tours at 9:30 am and 12:30 pm).

NOTE! Before arriving at the Exploseum,

please schedule the time of the visit by

phone (tel. +48 883 366 056).

Learn about the explosive history of Bydgoszcz

Price:

15 PLN 12 PLN 8 PLN

65

| Learn about the explosive history of Bydgoszcz

People working at the nitroglycerin production in DAG Fabrik Bromberg had contact with highly toxic substances. As a result their hair and nails turned orange or rust red. To this day, the older residents of the city recall that they were called “canaries”.


Please schedule your visit! Access by car

or bus 68 E

Concrete tunnel at Exploseum

Must do

66

While in Bydgoszcz, it’s worth taking

a breath and relaxing, taking advantage of

the attractions and space of the Myślęcinek

Forest Park of Culture and Recreation. It is the

biggest municipal park in Poland, occupying

830 hectares. It is situated only 5 km from

the city centre.

The park offers a host of attractions

for visitors of all ages. During the

summer season, we recommend

a visit to the funfair, the Lost

World (Dinosaur Park)

and Macroworld

(park with huge

insects). Great fun

for youngsters is a

rope park with a zip-line

and skatepark. Adults will

surely enjoy the beautiful Botanical

Garden located in the Alpinarium. There

is also the Zoological Garden. In addition to

bears, wolves and badgers, there are animals

from all over the world, including llama,

lemur, and monkey. Water sports enthusiasts

can take advantage of a lift in the Wakepark.

Myślęcinek is also a perfect place to organize

a picnic on the beach on one of the local

ponds, which offer barbecue sites. One of

the winter attractions is a ski slope with a lift.

When: The Forest Park of Culture and

Recreation is open all year round; however,

some of its attractions are available

depending on the season.

Where: Myślęcinek is located a few

kilometres away from the city centre. The

park can be accessed by car (parking near the

tram terminus or at the Polish Fauna Garden).

Visitors without cars can use public transport,

taking bus no. 52, which runs every hour from

the city centre (Jagiellonów Roundabout)

to the stop at the Polish Fauna

Garden or take tram no. 1 or 2

toward Las Gdański (the last

stop of the tram).

Price: the list of current

admission fees to the Park attractions

are on the website:

www.myslecinek.pl.

Relax in Myślęcinek

67

17

8Park

Pro

men

ade

| Relax in Myślęcinek

tram no. 1 and 2

or bus no. 52

(toward Podkowa)

Before the Second World War, the Myślęcinek estate was the property of the affluent and respected Weynerowski family, famous makers of “Leo” footwear (p. 108). Bydgoszcz residents enjoyed coming here after work on Friday, for a walk, to have a beer at the little brewery “Myslecinek Brauerai” or to “lounge” on the grass.


Botanical GardenEquestrian Recreation CentreZoological GardenLost WorldPlaygroundMacroworldEarth Museum Rope Park Traffic Town Ski slopeEcological Education Centre Sports equipment rentalBydgoszcz Fair and Exhibition CentreWakeparkBeachSkateparkGolf course

1

5

9

13

3

7

11

14

2

6

10

17

4

8

12

15

16

Must do

68

What connects Bydgoszcz with

Dubrovnik, Stockholm or Cape Town? The

18th meridian east runs through these

cities. Its exceptionality consists in the

fact that it helped cartographers draw flat

maps. The easiest way to find the 18th

Meridian is to go to the Ratuszowy Hotel

(37 Długa Street), where a plaque with its

designation was mounted on the initiative

of the 18th Meridian Association. We can

find more traces of the Meridian in the

Old Market Square, in the proximity of the

Fight and Martyrdom Monument; then it

runs to Marszałka Focha, E. Warmińskiego,

Sienkiewicza, and Wileńska Streets, and

further to the Bocianowo district. The best

idea to search for it is with the use of GPS.

We also recommend visiting the places

commemorating the run of the mysterious

“Eighteenth” Meridian, including the Globe

at the plinth near the White Granary on Mill

Island (it was believed that the meridian runs

also through Mill Island) and an obelisk with

a ball and image of a ship on Municipal Lock

No. 2.

Tip: When searching for the 18th

Meridian, it’s worth

trying to play the popular

geocaching and find the

hidden “treasure”. More

information regarding

this topic can be found at

w w w . g e o c a c h i n g . c o m

(Search of 18th meridian).

Find the 18th Meridian

Obelisk symbolizing the 18th Meridian

69

| Find the 18th MeridianMust do

70

MUSTSEE

71

Must see

Water Tower

72

MasterTwardowski

82

Man Crossing the River Sculpture

83

Bydgoszcz seen from the Water Tower 73

Mill Island76

BydgoszczCanal

77

BydgoszczCathedral

79

The “Archer Lady” statue 80

“Deluge” Fountain84

73

| Bydgoszcz seen from the Water Tower

Bydgoszcz seen from the Water Tower

In 1900, on the hill known today as

Gen. Henryk Dąbrowski Hill, which is the

highest site in relation to the water intake

in Las Gdański (Gdańsk Forest) the water

tower (designed by Franz Marschal) was

opened. It played an important role in the

modern waterworks system of Bydgoszcz.

This slightly squat, cylindrical tower houses

a compensation reservoir, which for 90

years guaranteed proper water pressure in

the mains, making sure that in the hours

of increased consumption of water, it

would be available to consumers without

any problems. The tower received a neo-

Gothic brick façade, highlighted with plaster

details. The architect of this industrial

facility (45 metres high) added a public

lookout terrace to it, which was a great

attraction. It offered a view of the whole city.

Unfortunately, the terrace was closed after

1945. It was only reopened in 2012, after

completion of renovation and adaptation

works related to turning the Water Tower

into one of the buildings of the Museum of

Waterworks (the second part of the Museum

is located in the Historical Pump Room

at 242 Gdańska Street). Inside, we find an

exhibition recounting the history of the local

waterworks and sewers. There is a collection

of documents, photographs, old bathroom

and toilet accessories, and even pieces of

wooden pipes coming from the first local

waterworks dating from the 16th century,

excavated during archaeological works.

After touring the industrial exhibition, we

can take a narrow, winding staircase to

access the lookout terrace, which offers a

breathtaking, panoramic view of Bydgoszcz.

There are several telescopes mounted on

the railing, offering a more detailed view of

the city.

The Henryk Dąbrowski Park stretches

at the foot of the tower. All distinct tall

buildings of the Bydgoszcz cityscape can be

seen above the tree tops.

Water Tower interior

Must see

74

Church of the Holy Trinity

Opera Nova

Rother’s Mills

Building of the former Eastern Railways

Authority

Bydgoszcz Cathedral

Church of Saints Peter and Paul

75

| Bydgoszcz seen from the Water Tower

Church of St. Andrew Bobola

Pylons of the University Route

“Łuczniczka” Sports & Enter-tainment Hall

District Court

Basilica of St. Vincent de Paul

Main Post Office

Must see

76

Mill Island

Mill Island is the green heart of

Bydgoszcz, an enclave in the city centre.

People coming here can relax in the park,

among alleys lined with old trees, vast

lawns, and alleys with benches, listening

to the rapidly falling water at the weir and

culvert. Water surrounds everything. From

the direction of the Old Town, we can find

the Brda Młynówka river, running fast and

nervously, along with the wall of Bydgoszcz

Venice. Across from it is the vast main riverbed

of the Upper Brda, featuring such landmarks

as the stately Cathedral and Opera Nova.

Thanks to revitalization, this place has become

the favourite hangout of the local residents.

Here, we can also find the historical buildings

of the Museum with modern upgrades,

water tram stop, yacht marina, playground,

amphitheatre, numerous hiking and biking

paths, and even a beach next to the spacious

lawn on which Bydgoszcz residents enjoy

lounging on their blankets.

Old granaries and mills house exhibitions

of the Leon Wyczółkowski District Museum.

The old granary at 1 Mennica Street, dating

from the mid-19th century, once used for

storing bagged grains, has been turned into

a stylish restaurant. The building at 6 Mennica

Street, after careful renovation, has been

transformed into the Centre of Employment

and Entrepreneurship.

The present appearance of Mill Island has survived in much the shape of two centuries ago, and some parts date even from earlier times. The revitalization project of this area was recognized nationwide. It was awarded many commendations both domestically and abroad.


Mill Island

77

BydgoszczCanal

| Bydgoszcz Canal

This is a monumental, hydrotechnical

project begun in the days

of the Kingdom of Poland,

prepared in detail and

implemented right after the

first partition of Poland, in the

years 1773-1774, during the

reign of Frederick II, the ruler

of Prussia.

The 26.77-km-long

Bydgoszcz Canal was

constructed within 18

months by nearly 10,000

workers, at a cost of nearly

2,000 lives. It connected

the cities of Bydgoszcz and

Nakło nad Notecią, but most

importantly the basins of the

Vistula and Odra rivers, i.e. their tributaries. It

was in such a way that the inland waterway,

planned since the 16th century and very

important economically, was constructed.

It became competitive with the sea route

via Gdańsk. and since its opening, the canal

was systematically modernized and repaired.

It played a tangible role in water transport,

among others the majority of timber from

Russia and the Congress Kingdom of Poland

were floated along the canal to the German

Empire. The canal facilitated development

of trade and industry, especially timber,

machine-building and furniture industries.

At the turn of the 20th century, the canal was

operated by almost 3,000 rafters working

for the largest carrier - Lloyd of Bydgoszcz.

Beginning in the 1840’s, the canal within

the city limits and suburban areas had an

influence on a flourishing social life, connected

with restaurant and entertainment complexes

established in its neighborhood.

In the immediate vicinity of the Old

Town, opposite the Opera Nova building,

we begin a walk around the Park on the

Old Canal. Here, on the northern side of the

Solidarności [Solidarity] Bridges, in Karola

Marcinkowskiego Street, we see the Municipal

Lock (the current one from the years 1908-

Kayakers going through the Municipal Lock

Must see

78

1912) and building no. 2 the home of the Royal

Inspection of the Water Works. Continuing to

the west, we cross Marszałka Focha Street and

via Grunwaldzkie Roundabout, constructed

at the cost of a filled in canal bed, all the

way to Nakielska Street. In the area of the

classicist building at 25 Marszałka Focha

Street (a residence of the Regency presidents

in Bydgoszcz during the years 1836-1920),

there was lock no. 2, and continuing further,

opposite the present-day Group of Schools of

Mechanical Engineering at 37 Świętej Trójcy

Street, a stone bridge connecting the banks

of the canal. Black poplars growing by the

exit to the cinema echo the past of the filled

up canal. A bit further, the Old Bydgoszcz

Canal, closed for navigation, begins. The

Planty Park with beautiful specimens of

old trees – black poplars, horse chestnuts,

oaks, elms, beeches, and hydrophilous black

alders - extends along the canal. Here, the

oldest necropolis of Bydgoszcz – Starofarny

Cemetery established in 1806 – neighbors the

area on the canal. Next, in the area of lock no.

4, the canal is crossed by Wrocławska Street,

where grand buildings once home to elegant

restaurants with ballrooms and concert halls

have been preserved. Near this lock, the most

beautiful part of the canal promenade begins,

with a pair of floating fountains and a swan

island, followed by lock no. 5 and another lock

in Bronikowskiego Street. After this lock the

navigable canal starts, which takes us to the

River Noteć (E-70 waterway), or through the

Czyżkówko Lock along the Brda River towards

the Koronowo Reservoir, or in the opposite

direction towards the River Vistula.

Until the year 1970, the Bydgoszcz Canal once flowed on the site of the present-day Grunwaldzkie Roundabout. The Ladislaus IV stone bridge, crossing the canal here, connected Świętej Trójcy and Grunwaldzka Streets. Near the bridge, there was once lock no. 3, now non-existent.


Park on the Old Bydgoszcz Canal

79

| Bydgoszcz Cathedral

Bydgoszcz Cathedral

In 2004, the Bydgoszcz Fara Church was

raised to the rank of Cathedral of the Diocese

of Bydgoszcz by the decree of Holy Father

John Paul II. However, for many centuries

and for dozens of generations of Bydgoszcz

residents, it had been the only and most

prominent municipal church. Before it was

built, there had been two places of worship,

namely the Church of St. Giles and the castle

chapel. When they were erected, Bydgoszcz

was not a city. In 1346, just after the city was

founded, work started on the construction

of a municipal church in the proximity of

the Market Square and City Hall, in line with

medieval traditions. Initially, the Bydgoszcz

Fara Church was a wooden structure. After

it was consumed by fire, the decision was

made to build a stately, Gothic brick church.

Construction continued between 1466

and 1502. Saints Nicholas and Martin were

chosen as its patrons. As patron saints of

trade and many crafts, they were best suited

for the commercial aspirations of the city.

This Gothic hall church built from brick

features a nave and two side aisles. It has the

chancel closed from three sides and a square

tower to the south. A two-storey arcaded

porch adjoins the church from the west.

The main entrance to the church features

Renaissance oak doors, adorned with coats

of arms and initials of guilds and Bydgoszcz

Bydgoszcz Cathedral

Must see

80

The “Archer Lady” statue

townsmen. Its interior charms with the

unique abundance of colours, something

which is rarely seen in the region of northern

Poland. Polychromes date from 1922-

1925 and were made by Henryk Nostitz-

Jackowski. However, the most important

masterpiece in the Cathedral, which is also

an object of worship, is the Madonna with

the Rose. The painting from the high altar

is the centrepiece of the church, attracting

the attention of the faithful and tourists. It is

a late-Gothic painting of the Madonna and

Child, holding a little rose in the other hand.

In the downspout, there is a little crowned eagle embossed in sheet metal. As the only in Bydgoszcz, it had survived the occupation period unnoticed by the Germans, when all symbols related to the Polish State were destroyed. It attracted Bydgoszcz residents, particularly young people, who came here in secret to pay tribute to the coat of arms of Poland.


It used to stand in Teatralny Square, near

the non-existent Municipal Theatre, angering

some prudish residents of Bydgoszcz. These

days, the “Archer Lady” statue, known as one

of the symbols of Bydgoszcz, stands in a quiet

place across from the Polish Theatre, in Jan

Kochanowski Park.

The statue of a beautiful female athlete

(175 cm tall), in classical proportions, was one

of the last works of Berlin artist Ferdinand

Lepcke (1866-1909), made most likely in

1908. The statue, shown at exhibitions in

Berlin and Munich, received positive reviews.

Bydgoszcz residents admired the statue. In

spring 1910, a miniature version was shown

at an exhibition in Bydgoszcz. People enjoyed

it so much that they came up with the idea

of purchasing a replica of the statue for

the city. Finally, Louis Aronsohn, a wealthy

banker of Jewish origin, decided to buy the

original statue. The “Archer Lady” arrived in

Bydgoszcz on August 18, 1910, on the 60th

birthday of its buyer. It was solemnly unveiled

in order to charm with its artistic form and

81

| The “Archer Lady” statue

In Bydgoszcz, there is the original statue of the “Archer Lady”, but it is not the only statue of this type; replicas of this outstanding F. Lepcke artwork can be found in Berlin, Coburg, Heringsdorf, and Wilhelmshaven. Another titbit from its history; in the 1930s, Mayor of Poznań, Cyryl Ratajski, wanted to buy the Bydgoszcz statue for his city.

Did you know that...beauty successive generations of Bydgoszcz

residents and tourists. Legend has it that the

founder’s friend posed for the statue, but

according to some, it was his daughter.

When it was erected in the city centre,

a battle ensued to move the “indecent”

statue to a less prominent place (one of the

proponents was the famous actress Pola

Negri). However, all attempts to remove the

“Archer Lady” from Teatralny Square failed,

until it was decided that its proximity to the

future monument of the Gratitude to the

Red Army Heroes was inappropriate. The

latter monument had not been erected on

the planned site in Teatralny Square, but the

“Archer Lady” was moved in 1960. This time it

protected the new theatre, just as it had the

old one in the past, always ready to shoot an

arrow.

In 2013, on the 667th anniversary of

the city, another monument depicting the Ar-

cher Lady was erected near the Opera Nova,

becoming a symbol of the development and

changes taking place in Bydgoszcz. It is a con-

temporary take on the symbol of Bydgoszcz,

which is the solemn “Archer Lady” from the

Jan Kochanowski Park.

“The Archer Lady”

Must see

82 Master Twardowski

Every day, at 1:13 pm and 9:13 pm,

a window opens in the tenement house

in the Old Market Square no. 15, where

Master Twardowski appears in a smoke

haze, whooping with laughter. According to

legend, Twardowski arrived to the city on a

rooster (other stories claim that he arrived

to the Old Market Square in a chair). After

MasterTwardowski

his arrival to the city, Master Twardowski

headed to the “Zgorzelec” Inn, where along

with his servant Maciek and devils – Smołka

and Węgliszek – they stayed and met with

customers. When news spread across the

town that the Master knew magic, there was

always some nobleman or townsman asking

him for advice or help. One of them was the

Mayor, an older gentleman who had a very

young wife. He had a hard time keeping up

with her. Thus he asked Master Twardowski

to rejuvenate him. The Master, assisted by

devils, prepared an extract from magical

herbs, in which he bathed the old man. After

several hours sitting in the pot, he emerged

out of it a much younger man. Unfortunately,

after coming home, neither his wife nor any

of his servants recognized him.

In 1910, on the site that was once occupied by the tenement house in which Master Twardowski stayed, its then owner Leo Brückmann built a modern department store with an area of about 4,000 square metres. Customers were im-pressed with the bright, spacious interiors and high qu-ality products offered at low prices. After the First World War, there was the Garment House operating as

a branch of the Joint Stock Company of Poznań. Starting from 1928, it operated as the Department Store of the Matec-

ki Brothers, which was a favourite shop of the local fe-male clientele, and not only, since it was known for

its fine clothing and great sales. Unfortunately, the building of Rudolf Kern suffered war damage in 1945. The site is now occupied by a contempo-

rary, stylized tenement house.


1:13 pm and 9:13 pm

83

| Man Crossing the River Sculpture


The “Man Crossing the River” sculpture

came to Bydgoszcz on May 1, 2004, in order

to commemorate Poland’s accession to the

European Union. This unique sculpture was

made by Jerzy Kędziora. The mystery of the

“Man Crossing the River” consists in shifting

of its centre of gravity below the rope

level. Thanks to this solution, the sculpture

maintains its balance. A swallow (which

is Schwalbe in German) was also placed

on the rope in order to commemorate the

outstanding citizen of Bydgoszcz, founder

of the Pomeranian Philharmonic, Andrzej

Szwalbe.

Bydgoszcz granaries on the River

Brda are almost like the coat of arms of

the city. Only several historical granaries

have remained in Bydgoszcz, with only

four dating from before the 19th century,

standing on the riverside in the city centre.

All of them are half-timbered buildings

serving today as museums. Three granaries

at 9-11 Grodzka Street (the image of which

is commemorated on the contemporary

logo of Bydgoszcz), were built in 1793-1800

by merchant Samuel Gotlieb Engelmann.

Initially, the complex in Grodzka Street

consisted of five granaries built as a row of

houses, which were used as warehouses. In

1960, two of them were completely burned

down. They were such an important part of

the cityscape of that time that some local

residents would welcome their rebuilding.

In 1962, the preserved granaries were

transformed into exhibition buildings of

the Leon Wyczółkowski District Museum of

Bydgoszcz. In 2006, works were completed

on the thorough remodelling and

modernization of the interiors. The favourite

granary of Bydgoszcz residents, which is also

one of the most popular local landmarks,

is the granary closest to Mostowa Street,

sometimes called the “Dutch” granary due

to its de l’Orme roof. In front of this granary,

a small amphitheatre was established and a

miniature, bronze model of Bydgoszcz from

early centuries is currently displayed.

1:13 pm and 9:13 pm


Must see

84

One of the must-have photographs

of one’s stay in Bydgoszcz is a photo at

the “Deluge” Fountain, which stands in

Kazimierz Wielki Park, in the proximity of

Wolności Square. This impressive fountain,

made by Ferdinand Lepcke, was erected

on this site in 1904, in the then garden of

the Bydgoszcz District Government. The

artist placed a composition referring to the

Biblical Deluge in a huge pool made from

red sandstone. In the middle is a group

of people rising to a height of 6 metres,

featuring a muscular man holding a languid

woman, and a second woman lying dead at

his feet with a child clinging to her. There

are additional statues on the sides; one of

them depicts a man fighting for his life with

a snake wrapped around him, while another

features a mother bear with a dead cub. The

unique effect of the monument is created by

the surface surrounding the fountain, made

as a multicolour, ornamental mosaic with a

motif of waves.

This greatest work made by the artist

had impressed spectators until 1943 as one

of the biggest attractions of Bydgoszcz,

and a popular site for taking photographs.

Unfortunately, valuable sculptures were

confiscated for war purposes. These

days, thanks to the Social Committee for

Rebuilding the Fountain established in

2004, the bronze, multi-figural statue has

been faithfully restored. The rebuilt scene

of the Biblical Deluge, placed in a renovated

basin and surrounded by the restored

mosaic, has once again become one of the

most impressive and beautiful fountains in

Poland.

The restored fountain looks most

beautiful after dusk, when colourful

illumination highlights the sculpted

composition.

“Deluge” Fountain

In 1897, before embarking on the idea of erecting the fountain, a national competition was announced in Germany, which was widely commented on by art and architecture magazines published at that time. As many as 55 designs were submitted. Replicas of the fountain were installed in Coburg (1906) and Eisleben (melted down for war purposes in 1942).


“Deluge” Fountain

85

| “Deluge” FountainMust see

87

POZNAJ BYDGOSZCZ

SIGHTSEEING ROUTES

Sightseeing routes

Old Town

88

Green Bydgoszcz

136

See the Old Town89

Alternative image of the city 109

Industrial history

of Bydgoszcz115

By bicycle through Bydgoszcz128

Trail of hydrotechnical historical sites122

Around the City Centre

97

89

| See the Old TownSightseeing routes

See the Old Town

Time: about 2 hoursWe start sightseeing of the Old Town

in the Old Market Square in front of the

Bydgoszcz Land Fight and Martyrdom

Monument (1), placed here in 1969 (designed

by Franciszek Masiak). The monument

commemorates the casualties of the Nazi

terror, especially the residents of Bydgoszcz

who were executed in this place by firing

squad on the first days of the Second World

War.

The city’s central square, where we are,

was marked out in the year 1346, when the

city was founded by King Casimir the Great,

and its present-day buildings date back

mainly to the 20th century. From in front

of the monument we go along Farna Street

towards the oldest church in Bydgoszcz, the

Cathedral of Saints Martin and Nicholas

(3). En route we pass the oldest pharmacy

in Bydgoszcz – ”Under the Golden Eagle” at

At the beginning of the Second World War, the old Jesuit Church of St Ignatius of Loyola still stood in the Old Market Square. Legend has it that one of the victims of the Nazi terror, while dying, leaned against one of the church walls. The trace of the hand remained and it could not be removed, that’s why the German occupants decided to demolish the church.


1 Stary Rynek Street (Old Market Square) –

and a grand edifice of the old Jesuit college

from the 17th century, presently the City Hall

(2). We enter the cathedral through 500-kg

bronze doors on the ground floor of the

church basement (p. 79).

Going around the cathedral, it is

worthwhile paying attention to the Farny

Weir (4), i.e. the place where the River

Młynówka, flowing around Mill Island, falls

into the River Brda. The present-day building

of the Small Hydroelectric Power Plant,

standing by the weir, is an old groat mill. In

City Hall

90

the vicinity, between yews, a

bright observer will notice

the freestanding sculpture

of St John Nepomucene (5)

from the 18th century, a saint

who was to protect against

flood.

Going along the river,

we reach Mostowa Street.

After a few moments, we will

be able to see the city’s official symbol, i.e.

three half-timbered granaries (6) from the

turn of the 19th century, scenically located on

the River Brda. In the past, these were among

many grain storehouses in the city; nowadays

they belong to the Leon Wyczółkowski District

Museum. In front of the main entrance to

the building is a model of

old Bydgoszcz. Looking at

it, we can see several now

non-existent buildings,

including the City Hall and

Jesuit Church in the Old

Market Square, the little

Romanesque Church of St

Giles, city gateways, and

Bydgoszcz castle, which

was destroyed during the

Swedish Deluge. Now we

go towards the Jerzy Sulima-

The sculpture of St John Nepomucene, located by the cathedral, is the oldest sculpture in Bydgoszcz, and one of the oldest freestanding sculptures of the saint.


A replica of Bydgoszcz castle is located by the main entrance of the BREBank in Grodzka Street. It was near this place that the stately Bydgoszcz castle surrounded with a moat was located. Legend has it that centuries ago a cruel castellan lived here with his gorgeous daughter, Angelica. The father was so afraid of the girl’s soon-to-happen marriage that he had her kept in the castle tower day and night. One day, Angelica fell in love with one of her father’s prisoners – prince Jarosław, whom she set free, ignoring the father’s anger. Two days later, Jarosław returned for his love. A cruel fight ensued, during which the young man was killed by a knight wearing a black visor. Eager to avenge his death, Angelica dealt a blow on the back of the mysterious soldier. When the black knight dropped dead, the girl removed his visor; it turned out that it was her father. In despair because of her deed, she plunged into the River Brda. Since that moment, she would return to the castle as a ghost each night to look for her love and her father in the rooms.


OLD MARKET SQUARE

Lloyd Palace

91

Kamiński Bridge, where we stop for a while to

look at the eagerly photographed panorama

of Bydgoszcz. The sculpture floating above

the River Brda is the “Man Crossing the

River” (7), a tightrope walker smoothly

balancing on the rope, who commemorates

the day Poland joined the European Union in

2004 (designed by Jerzy Kędziora). The “little

palace” (8) in the Dutch mannerist style on

the right bank of the River Brda, built in 1885-

1886 (designed by Waldemar Jenisch), was

the old head office of, among others, Lloyd

of Bydgoszcz, one of the biggest shipping

companies in the Second Republic of Poland.

Going down the bridge stairs to the

boulevard, it is worthwhile looking at the

richness of neo-baroque forms on the

corner tenement house at 1-3 Stary

Port Street (9) – the work of the famous

builder of Bydgoszcz, Józef Święcicki. On

the boulevard we turn right and go along

the River Brda towards the monumental

edifice of the Opera Nova (11). On the left-

hand side we pass St Barbara’s Island (10),

from behind which the slender structure

of the cathedral emerges. Next, we enter

the footbridge connecting the boulevard

and Mill Island. We can take a look at the


OLD MARKET SQUARE

92

modernist opera building, scenically located

in a bend of the River Brda. The building

was designed in 1961 (by Józef Chmiel and

Andrzej Prusiewicz), and it took over thirty

years to construct (1973-2006). This is not a

music stage, but also an important conference

centre. On the other side of the river, in the

western part of Mill Island, one can see well

the modern building of Bydgoszcz Marina

(12), designed by the office APA Rokiccy,

excellently blending with its surroundings.

The marina, completed in 2012, has won not

only the hearts of Bydgoszcz residents but

also many prestigious awards owing to its

unique architecture. Across the footbridge

we enter Mill Island (p. 76), a 6-hectare

green oasis in the very centre of the city. We

go past the oldest building on the island, the

so-called White Granary (13) dating back to

the late 18th century, which is now occupied

by archaeological collections of the District

Museum. Walking along Międzywodzie, an

artificial canal crossing the island, on the

left-hand side we go past the building of the

European Money Centre (14), erected on

the site of the buildings of the Bydgoszcz Mint

(operating 1594-1688), and the old steam mill

from 1861, the so-called, Red Granary (15),

now the Modern Art Gallery.

The central part of the Bydgoszcz island

is occupied by a complex of mills dating

back from 1848-1849, i.e. the huge Rother’s

Mills (16). The scenic yellow building,

located opposite them, is nowadays the

House of Leon Wyczółkowski (17), where

one can admire paintings, graphics, and

the studio of the patron of the museum in

Bydgoszcz. Now, we go to the other side of

the street called Mennica (Mint), towards

the tenement houses on the swift current of

the River Młynówka. These buildings, once

showing up almost straight from the water,

are called the Bydgoszcz Venice (18). In

the past, rich burghers used to build their

workshops and plants here, e.g. dye-houses,

distilleries, sawmill, and a bathhouse operated

here. First across the footbridge over the

River Młynówka, and then along the corridor

between tenement houses we reach Długa

Street (the former Platea Longa), the most

important track of medieval Bydgoszcz, which

now is 640 metres long. We turn right and after

several steps we reach Wełniany Square. Here

we see the monument to Leon Barciszewski

(19), (designed by Sławoj Ostrowski), the last

pre-war mayor of the city, who along with

his 18-year-old son was murdered in an

unknown place by the Nazis in November

100 ducats of Sigismund III Vasa minted in Bydgoszcz in 1621 is one of the most beautiful and precious coins in the history of Europe. In 2008, at an auction in New York, a ducat of Sigismund III was sold for an astronomical amount of 1,380,000 dollars, which to this day makes it the most expensive Polish coin in history.


93

1939. Let’s look now at the tenement house

at 4 Wełniany Square – watchful onlookers will

see a cannonball between the windows of the

second floor; most probably this is a reminder

of the Kościuszko Insurrection in 1794.

We go back to Długa Street. Walking

amidst stylish tenement houses, mainly from

the late 18th and early 19th centuries, one can

feel the atmosphere of old Bydgoszcz, though

the merchant’s major road had lost its position

as the city’s trade centre. It is worthwhile

visiting the exceptional Museum of Soap and

History of Dirt (20) (p. 63) at number 13-17,

and stopping by the 18th-century tenement

house (21) at number 22, the birthplace of

painter Maksymilian Piotrowski (1813-1875),

professor of the Academy of Fine Arts in

Królewiec (Konigsberg). In the same building,


In Wełniany Square once was the Poznań Gateway, where the city executioner lived. The city executioner was friends with a certain poor tailor named Janek. One day, the young man walking with his beloved met a rich merchant, who fell in love with Janek’s sweetheart and promised to shower her and her family with riches if she married him. Tailor Janek was so irritated with this daring proposal of the stranger that he went after him with fists. After this incident, Janek was captured and sentenced to death. The executioner, who felt sorry for his young friend, decided to help him. They agreed that before going to the market square the executioner would loosen his irons so that Janek could run away in the direction of the Poznań Gateway, which was not guarded on this day. Everything went as planned. The tailor’s love waited for him by the gateway, and together they disappeared in the mist. People were shouting “Catch him, catch him”, and the place where the two lovers disappeared without a trace is nowadays the little lane named Chwytowo (from the Polish verb ”chwytać” = English “catch”).


as legend has it, King John III Sobieski stayed

in 1676 during his journey by the River Vistula

to Gdańsk. From the side of its backyard, the

tenement house has extremely interesting

two-storey cellars. In the area of Batorego

Street, we turn right, going towards the

monument to Casimir the Great (22). One

Love Bridge on the River Brda

94

of the most eminent

monarchs in the history

of Poland looks at us

with authority, holding

in his left hand a scroll

– the foundation

charter of Bydgoszcz.

The monument

was placed here in

2006 (designed by

Mariusz Białecki). The

monumental edifice of

the District Court (23)

built in 1906 soars behind our backs. On the

right-hand side of the monument, between

the tenement houses, is a bewitching half-

timbered granary from the 19th century,

which is occupied by the Orthodox Church

of St Nicholas (24). It is worthwhile going

in this direction to see the remains of walls

surrounding the city from the south in the

past. There is also the only partially preserved

tower (25) of the old fortifications.

We return again to Długa Street, turn left

and go towards the intersection with Jana

Kazimierza Street. In the area of the seat of the

authorities of Bydgoszcz, now the Ratuszowy

Hotel (26), located on the left-hand side,

it is worthwhile looking down. Under our

feet we see the Bydgoszcz Autographs, i.e.

signatures of people, who have made a special

contribution to the city. Such famous people as

Zbigniew Boniek, Irena Santor and Jan Kulczyk

have their plaques here.

Looking at the next autographs, we

reach the intersection with Jana Kazimierza

Street, where we see an old orange tram (27)

from 1955, now a seasonal tourist information

centre. It is hard to believe now that in the

past trams used to run along Długa Street:

“red” and “green” line trams. On the southern

end of Jana Kazimierza Street, there is a

boulder commemorating the Bydgoszcz

Jews (28). The boulder is located right on the

site of a monumental synagogue from 1882

(designed by Albert Muttray), dismantled by

the Nazis in 1939.

Building of the District Court

Autograph of Lech Wałęsa in Długa Street

95

Now we go along Jana Kazimierza

Street towards the Old Market Square.

The western side of the Market Square is

occupied by the classicist edifice of the Dr

Witold Bełza Provincial and Municipal

Public Library (29), erected in the 18th

century for the Prussian administration.

Collections of the library that used to belong

to the Bydgoszcz Bernardine monastery are

kept in the building. This is the city’s oldest

preserved book collection, whose origins

date back to the late 15th century. In front

of the main entrance to the library, is the

bewitching sculpture-fountain ”Children

playing with a goose” (30) – a work by Karl

P. Kowalczewski, which has adorned the

Old Market Square since 1909. Originally,

the fountain was located in front of the

Pharmacy under the “Golden Eagle”, because

it was funded by its owners, the Kupffender

family, on the centennial of their pharmacy.

Down Magdzińskiego Street we go towards

the historical covered market (31) opened

in 1906 (to a design by the Berlin company

of architects Boswau & Knauer). Above the

entrance to the covered market, there is the

city’s impressive coat of arms, while inside the

steel structure is an interesting roof. Meat, fish,

crayfish and seafood used to be sold here.

The viewing axis from the Old Market Square

via Magdzińskiego Street is closed by the

neo-Gothic Church of St Andrew Bobola

(32) with a slender clock tower, dominating

Kościeleckich Square. The church, designed

by Berlin architect Heinrich Seeling, was

erected for the Bydgoszcz Protestants in 1903.

Quite surprising is the fact that these days the

Jesuit church still remains the highest (75 m)

building in Bydgoszcz.

From in front of the covered market we

go down Podwale Street (on the site of an old


Covered Market

96

moat) towards Rybi Square. We turn into Kręta

Street, running slightly uphill, which leads us

again to the Old Market Square. At 3 Kręta

Street, there is an interesting brick building, in

the past a part of Herman Franke’s industrial

complex, nowadays the famous music club

“Eljazz” (33). The entrance steps are covered

with notes – the score of the jazz standard

Seven steps to heaven by Miles Davis (for the

needs of the steps to the club changed into

Three steps to heaven).

Entering the main Market Square of the

city, it is worthwhile looking at the corner

tenement house at 15 Stary Rynek Street

(34). In one of its attic windows, Master

Twardowski appears exactly at 1:13 pm

and 9:13 pm (p. 82) At the corner of the

Old Market Square and Batorego Street is

the artistic Węgliszek Cafe, with a window

decorated with an image of the devil of the

same name, which had shady dealings with

Master Twardowski.

Bird’s eye view of the Old Town

97

| Around the City Centre Sightseeing routes

Time: about 3 hours Throughout the 19th century Bydgoszcz

experienced an economic growth, which

resulted in a transformation of its architectural

landscape. The year 1851 turned out to be a

crucial year, when the first railway and the

local railway station were opened. The city’s

area and population expanded. The flourish of

industry and trade, and Bydgoszcz burghers

getting rich were conducive to intensifying

construction. The pride of contemporary

Bydgoszcz is its excellently preserved street

plan, reflecting the process of transformation

of a small town into an important industrial

and trade centre with a huge, diversified

complex of burgher buildings from the

second half of the 19th century and the early

20th century.

A walk around the city centre of

Bydgoszcz is an excellent opportunity to see

the changes in architecture that took place

within these few decades. Neo-classicist

buildings fashionable at that time and later

date back to the third quarter of the 19th

century. Their facades are characterised

by balance and equilibrium, simplicity of

composition, and economical usage of

architectural detail. In the late 19th century,

magnificent tenement houses were preserved

in main streets and more modest tenement

houses far away from the city centre. Company

owners, craftsmen, merchants and clerks

developed the suburbs with houses and

industrial facilities, and the increasing number

of residents was conducive to development

of the infrastructure of public buildings,

especially educational and ecclesiastic

buildings. At that time, all possible styles of

historicism were dominant in architecture.

This trend made use of forms adopted from

Gothic, Renaissance, mannerism, baroque and

rococo in a creative way. In the city landscape,

we will also see examples of the picturesque

trend from the late 19th century, represented

by tenement houses with characteristic,

asymmetrical facades, distinguished by

arrangements based on light and shadow

contrasts, with breaks, bay windows, loggias,

Ornamental detail on one of the tenement houses in Cieszkowskiego Street

Around the City Centre

98

triangular and step gables. Big city tenement

houses from the early 20th century belong

to two stylistic trends: Art Nouveau and

early modernism. What’s characteristic of

Bydgoszcz, in spite of the popularity of Art

Nouveau in European architecture ca. 1900,

the buildings in Bydgoszcz do not represent

the typical of Art Nouveau combination

of architectural body and pliable, flexible

decoration. However, the exterior attire was

changed, enriched with flowing plant motifs

and masks of long-haired women. The next

period, the twenty-year inter-war period, has

left in the architecture of Bydgoszcz a visible

trace in the form of numerous tenement

houses in the style of modernism and

functionalism.

Going around the city centre, it is

worthwhile starting from the Church of the

Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary (1)

In 1834, when the convent was dis-banded, the Church of the Poor Clares became the city’s property. From that time, the church housed the municipal scales, was a ware-house of alcoholic beverages, and in 1872 it was turned into a fire station. Next, on the initiative of Herman Franke, the choir gallery was designated for the needs of the Noteć River District History Association. The collections ga-thered and exhibited here became the beginnings of the present-day museum.


The city bugle-call, composed on the 600th anniversary of the city of Bydgoszcz, resounds from the church tower each day at noon, at 3:00 pm and 6:00 pm.


(colloquially called the Church of the Poor

Clares), which was occupied by the local

convent of the Poor Clares in the past.

A neo-Renaissance portal leads to the

church interior (1925, designed by Stefan

Cybichowski), where we will see relics of

frescos from the 17th century, first of all, an

excellently preserved wooden ceiling from

the 1640’s decorated with painted rosettes,

amidst which we will not find two identical

ones. Noteworthy are also the furnishings

from the 1920’s, with a mannerist high altar.

Church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, known as the Church of the Poor Clares

99

There is also a painting by Leon Wyczółkowski,

depicting Saint Stanislaus Kostka.

Going out of the church, we turn right

in Gdańska Street. En route we pass several

classicist buildings, amidst which the house

at 5 Gdańska Street stands out, converted by

Rudolf Kern, who made ornaments referring

to the forms of Berlin Art Nouveau, with a

frieze decorated with stylised swans. The

tenement house features the “Pharmacy

under the Swan” (2), with a gilded swan

on the façade, operating continuously

here since 1853. One must go inside, see

part of the preserved décor and visit the

unique Museum of Pharmacy at the back.

Going further up Gdańska Street, at the

intersection with Dworcowa Street, we will

see an old modernist department store

dating from 1910-1911 designed by Otto

Walter of Berlin. Ferroconcrete was used for

its construction for the first time in Bydgoszcz.

The building was famous in the inter-war

period as the Bydgoszcz Department Store

Be-De-Te, and much later as the Department

Store “Jedynak” (3). The decoration of its

façade features figures of Greek goddesses:

Aphrodite, Eris, Hera and Athena, and in the

tympanum above the corner window a relief

with a depiction of Silenus. At 17 Gdańska

Street, at the corner with Pomorska Street

(4) (a street with medieval provenance),

is the area’s oldest two-storey tenement

house dating from 1852 (designed by B.

Brinkmann), topped with crenels, reminiscent

of a fortified castle.

Opposite the Department Store at

14 Gdańska Street, the edifice of the Pod

Orłem Hotel (5) rivets your attention – the

building with neo-baroque forms designed by

J. Święcicki dates back to 1892-1894. Looking

In the façade decoration of the Pod Orłem Hotel we find a single portrait masque, which for years was regarded to be an image of the hotel’s designer according to the suggestion of a certain art histo-rian. Nowadays, when it is known what Józef Święcicki looked like, the question of who this masque depicts still remains unanswered.


inside, we will see the glamorous lounge with

stuccowork, stained-glass windows, and

gilded wrought-iron balustrades. In 1921,

Józef Piłsudski stayed at this hotel to relax

for a few hours.

From under the Pod Orłem Hotel we

go right towards Wolności Square (p. 138),


Pod Orłem Hotel

100

passing no. 16 – the classicist tenement

house designed by Carl Semphel (1882)

(6). Next, we see the dominant tower of

the Church of Saints Peter and Paul (7),

designed by Berlin architect, Friedrich Adler.

The cornerstone was placed in 1872. The

old Protestant church, now Catholic, was

constructed on the plan of the Latin cross.

In the spacious interior decor, our attention

is attracted by stained-glass windows in

the chancel, made at the Imperial Stained

Glass Institute in Berlin, funded by Emperor

William I.

Near the church, the next big city

tenement houses delight with their beauty.

The first one – a neo-baroque house was

designed by J. Święcicki, dating back to 1896

– 1 Plac Wolności Street (8). On the other

side, at 27 Gdańska Street (9) (head office

of the newspaper Gazeta Wyborcza, among

other things) – there is a modernist tenement

house (1908, designed by Adolf Schleusener)

with a renovated interior featuring a working

historical lift.

We go further along Gdańska

Street northwards, to the intersection of

three streets: Gdańska, Śniadeckich and

Krasińskiego. Here, we see a little bench

(designed by Michał Kubiak) of Marian

Rejewski (10) – a famous mathematician and

cryptologist, who contributed to the breaking

of the code of the German cipher machine

”Enigma” during the Second World War. From

here, we can choose one of the three options

of the further walk around the city centre.

The church was provided with an innovative (at that time) heating system, consisting of a gas boiler room placed under the chancel, two heaters and ducts distributing hot air.


It is also worthwhile looking at the green tenement house at 3 Wol-ności Square, on which huge blue jeans hang. This unique sculptu-re by Piotr Wagner is a tribute to the eminent graphic artist and painter, Andrzej Nowacki, who had his studio for fifty years in this tenement house. The sculpture is a reference to the artist’s famous series “Jeans Wearers”.

Did you know that...18b

Church of Saints Peter and Paul in Wolności Square

101

Option 1:

We go further northwards along

Gdańska Street. The long walk along the

grand street is more attractive thanks to a

diversified architectural landscape. Looking

to the right, the even part of the street, and

to the left, the odd part of the street, we will

find out the main productions of the local

designers. Right behind the intersection, our

attention is drawn to tenement house no.

34 (1a) representing the scenic trend, dating

back to 1914, designed by Fritz Weidner,

contrasting with the neo-baroque house

no. 36 (2a) designed by J. Święcicki, from

the late 19th century.

Further, we will face two magnificent

villas occupied by the Polish Radio Station.

The first one, no. 48 (3a) with a “cafe au

lait” colour reflects the original colour of the

facade. The villa “Flora” owes its name to the

now non-existent polychromes decorating

the loggia. The facility was designed by Berlin


18b

102

architect Heinrich Seeling. Built in 1898, the

villa is one of the most beautiful examples

of the scenic trend in the architecture of the

late 19th century in Bydgoszcz. Its interiors

feature relics of rich décor: grand woodwork,

wood panelling, and a ceiling with gilded

ornamentation, made using the papier-

mâché technique. In the old garden, at the

back of the house, is a historical fountain

from the late 19th century with a unique,

polychromed sculpture of a heron. Ernst

Heinrich Dietz (1840-1901), city councillor

and co-founder of an inland navigation

company (later Lloyd of Bydgoszcz), enjoyed

this residence for a short time. However, it

remained in the hands of his inheritors until

the outbreak of the Second World War. Later,

it was used by the PPR Polish Workers’ Party,

and since 1951 it has been occupied by the

local radio.

The neighbouring villa, no. 50

(4a), was constructed in 1900-1902

(designed by Hildebrandt from Berlin)

for Wilhelm Blumwe, the then owner

of the Woodworking Machines Factory

(p.115). The designer provided the

residence with Renaissance attire inspired

by the famous Villa Rotonda by Andrea

Palladio in Vicenza. Unfortunately, only an

Heinrich Seeling earned his name in Europe as the designer of theatres. The now non-existent Municipal Theatre in Bydgoszcz, which had been located in Teatralny Square, was also his work. In his career he designed only two churches: the Protestant Church of the Saviour (1896-1897) in Zbawiciela Square and the present-day Catholic Church of St Andrew Bobola (1901-1903) in Kościeleckich Square – both are the pride of Bydgoszcz.


Until 1940, the urn with the ashes of the founder of the local Woodworking Machines Factory – Carl Blumwe – was placed at the top of the tympanum of the villa at 50 Gdańska Street, at the top of the façade.


elegant room with a glazed plafond has

been preserved on the ground floor in the

converted interior. Starting from 1930, it

was occupied by the Polish Club House,

Headquarters of Radio PiK at 50 Gdańska Street

103

and during the Second World War by the

head office of the NSDAP. On May 1, 1945,

the first Polish radio programme after the

Second World War was broadcast from here.

Now we are at an intersection of streets, at

the corner of Cieszkowskiego Street, on the

left-hand side we see at number 63 (5a) the

exceptionally rich neo-baroque house of

builder Józef Święcicki, who was born in

Bydgoszcz.

If you want to feel the atmosphere

of his days, we recommend going for a

while into Cieszkowskiego Street, marked

out and developed with grand tenement

houses within only 10 years (1894-1904).

The sculpture of a halberdier (6a) at the

corner of house no. 22 (1898, designed by F.

Weidner) watches over the street. (9a) with a public chapel located in an

old villa. In accordance with the convent

observance, the nuns live in seclusion from

the surrounding world.

Before we reach the intersection with

Mickiewicza Avenue, marked out in 1903,

noteworthy is the tenement house at

number 60 (10a) designed by Carl Meyer

for himself; he was the city’s construction

counsellor (for 26 years he managed the

construction administration, making

decisions on the architectural shape of

Bydgoszcz). The façade décor features

a statue of a female personification of

Architecture and Construction.

We reach Mickiewicza Avenue, on the

right-hand side from Gdańska Street. Here,

at the corner, we see a tenement house,

F. Weidner appeared in Bydgoszcz as a representative of an installation company of his father-in-law, but he made his name as an architect, and propagator of modern forms in the architecture of Bydgoszcz, who himself converted from neo-baroque to exceptionally impressive projects in the scenic trend.


Going further down Gdańska Street

at numbers 75 (7a) and 52 (8a) we pass

buildings with façades inspired by

classicism. At number 56, is the convent

of the Poor Clares of Perpetual Adoration


Halberdier on one of the tenement houses in Cieszkowskiego Street

104

CzCzerkaska

which was built in 1903-1904 by Rudolf

Kern, designed as his own house (11a).

Going further along Gdańska Street,

we pass another house at number 91

(12a) designed by F. Weidner, using the

chiaroscuro typical of architecture of the

scenic trend. This style is represented also

by a grand villa (1898-1899, designed by

Karl Bergner) located at number 84 (13a),

designed for the Police Club in 1962-1992.

Next, we go past a group of houses

number 86-96 (14a) with solutions

inspired by the Italian and Northern

Renaissance, designed by J. Święcicki.

At the intersection with Chodkiewicza

Street, at number 100 (15a), we go past

a functionalistic tenement house (1935,

designed by Paweł Wawrzon). Further,

at number 190, we see the edifice of the

old War School, constructed right before

the First World War, later the Officer Cadet

School (16a) from 1913 (designed by

Arnold Hartman and Robert Schlezinger). It

neighbours the building of the Land Forces

In 1912, Bydgoszcz City Hall announced a competition for the most beautiful façade from among newly built tenement houses. The two first awards went to local architects Fritz Weidner for the house at 12 Dworcowa Street and Rudolf Kern for the tenement house at 20 Stycznia 1920 Street at number 29.


105

Museum (1973, designed by Zbigniew

Kortas) (p. 49). Further, on the same side of

the street, we see blocks of flats covered by a

line of trees; seven of these buildings dating

from 1935-1939 represent the functionalist

trend. At the end, after the intersection with

Modrzewiowa Street, behind the J. Święcicki

viaduct, it is worthwhile stopping to visit the

Waterworks Museum (17a) (p. 49) located

in an original complex of buildings from the

late 19th century. After a long walk, it is good

to relax at the Myślęcinek Park (p. 66).

Until recently, some Bydgoszcz residents had thought that the famous actress Pola Negri was the former owner of the building at 84 Gdańska Street. However, the actress owned the tenement house located nearby, at 8 Zamoyskiego Street, which she bought for her mother. The building wall features a plaque commemorating Pola Negri.


Option 2:

Turning left into Śniadeckich Street, on

the left-hand side we stop by a bewitching

neo-Renaissance villa at number 1

(1b), the present-day offices of the ADM

Municipal Buildings Administration, dating

back to the 1870’s, which was a property of

Louis Aronshon, the founder of the “Archer

Lady” statue. The villa interiors feature

many elements of the original décor, with

particularly impressive stoves. Further,

at number 25 (2b) we go past a big city

tenement house (1911, designed by Georg

Baesler), and beside it a small single-storey

house with a gable roof (3b), from the days

when construction of the district was started.

On the opposite side of the street, at number

36 (4b), it is worthwhile paying attention

to the neo-Gothic house of worship of the

Apostolic Union from 1864. The house at

number 42 (5b) is another neo-Renaissance

tenement house with an interesting detail,

designed by Józef Święcicki (dating from

1882-1883). We reach Piastowski Square

(6b), which was marked out as a market

square of the so-called Elizabethan district

established in the mid-19th century, named

after Elizabeth Ludovika – the wife of the then

Prussian ruler, Frederick William. There was a

park and a marketplace, which functions to


Church of the Sacred Heart in Piastowski Square

106

this day. It is worthwhile taking a closer look

at the western frontage, at the intersection

with Chrobrego Street; at number 23 (7b),

there is a corner tenement house with

a characteristic corner crowned with a

cupola. At 6 Wileńska Street (8b), Marian

Rejewski, already mentioned, was born.

This building features a commemorative

plaque. Moving back to Śniadeckich Street,

which is the main compositional axis of

the district, at number 45 (9b) we see a

bewitching tenement house guarded by

a bear cub sculpture, and the wings of a

gate with wrought-iron grille, since metal

craftwork companies operated successfully

in Bydgoszcz. Going further in the direction

of Matejki Street, we see the neo-baroque

Church of the Sacred Heart (10b) (1910-

1913, designed by Oskar Hossfeld of Berlin),

in the past designed for the Catholics of

German origin. It is worthwhile looking

inside the church to see the preserved decor

dating back to the time of its construction.

Continuing the walk towards the railway

station, we reach the Protestant church in

Zbawiciela Square (11b) – designed by H.

Seeling. Behind the church is an interesting

complex of barracks from the 1870’s. Turning

left into Matejki Street we reach Dworcowa

Street, and turn right into this street. Our

attention is captured by the monumental

neo-mannerist building, with a front garden,

erected in 1886-1889 for the then Eastern

Railways Authority (12b) – designed

by Martin P. Gropius & Heino Schmieden,

modified by national construction inspector

Bergman. Impressive brick façades contrast

with a rich, sculpture detail made of light

sandstone. This construction solved premises

problems of this important city office. In

1849, Bydgoszcz became

the seat of the Royal

Eastern Railways Board,

transformed in the

same year into Europe’s

first district railways

authority. Starting from

1853, its offices were

located in the railway

station building, which

– in spite of extension –

was constantly too small.

On the opposite side of

the street, at number 82

(13b), is the building of Building of the former Eastern Railway Authority

107

the old elementary school with a structure

unchanged since the period of its extension

in the middle of the 1870’s, with forms

characteristic of education buildings in those

days. Further, in the direction of the railway

station, on the left-hand side at number 65, is

the head office of the State Archive (14b),

located in a grand residential-office building,

with an excellently preserved classicist attire.

It was erected for the brothers Teodor and

Adolf Wulff. In 1865-1876, they managed a

river shipyard and a steel structures factory.

A brick production facility at the back of the

plot dates back to that period.

Further, at number 67 (15b) we see a

Polish ”szczupak”, English ”pike”). Crossing

the intersection with Królowej Jadwigi Street,

we reach two interesting tenement houses

located opposite one another at number

77 (16b) and 100 (17b), designed by Karl

Bergner, which seem to form a gateway

open to the city centre. Standing here, with

our backs to the railway station, we see that

from this point Dworcowa Street becomes

narrower. Its further route corresponds with

the medieval track of the former road to

Koronowo. We turn back and, going straight

ahead, we go to the edifice of the Main

Railway Station (18b), where our trip ends.


modernist tenement house in all its glory

(dating from 1912-1913) erected for Berlin

bookseller Erich Hecht to a design by Otto

Walter of Berlin. The façade with unique decor

features fantastic and mythological creatures,

and above the main entrance a bas-relief with

a rider on a horse. Above the bas-relief, there is

a cartouche with an image of a pike –referring

to the investor’s surname (German “Hecht”,

Option 3:

We turn right into Krasińskiego

Street, where at the corner with Gdańska

Street, at number 2 (1c), it is worthwhile

taking a closer look at the tenement house

representing the classicising modernist

trend, designed by Julius Knüpfer. Going

eastwards, passing the sub-lieutenant

Leszek Biały Square (2c), with a

characteristic concrete sculpture, we will

get to the exceptional garden district, the

history of which dates back to the mid-19th

century. At that time, the city authorities

bought a vast area as a reserve for the future

extension of the city. In the late 19th century,

the concept of a spatial arrangement based

on the garden city idea began to be created.

In 1912, the final design was prepared by


In the year of its establishment, the Wulff brothers’ company built in their river shipyard the “Germania” steam river boat with a chain drive. It was used to tow barges and rafts, and in 1970 the company prepared the structure of a steel bridge on the River Brda, the predecessor of the present Bernardyński Bridge.

108

Joseph Herman Stübben, which became

the foundation for marking out a district

gracefully called Sielanka (English “idyll”)

(3c). The district’s green square (the present-

day Marian Turwid Square) was placed in

the centre. The district was popular among

the Bydgoszcz elite. Physicians, lawyers,

architects and factory owners used to live

here. At 16 Kopernika Street, in the corner

plot by Ossolińskich Avenue stands a villa

called Netherlander (4c), built ca. 1933

by Antoni Weynerowski as a wedding gift

for his son Witold and his wife Julia (who

most probably brought the design from

her homeland – the Netherlands). This

house, distinguished by a de l’Orme roof,

surrounded by a beautiful garden, appeared

in a newsreel about Bydgoszcz in 1937. After

the war, the expropriated villa became a

kindergarten. The family which owned this

house also owned the famous footwear

factory “Leo” that after the war was changed

to “Kobra” (p. 120). The old residence

(1933, designed by Jan Kossowski) of

merchant Czesław Borys, located at 8a

Sielanka Street (5c), was intended for the

local Registry Office – Civil Registry Office.

We leave Sielanka, going back along

Krasińskiego Street to Gdańska Street, turn

left and go down Gdańska Street, reaching

the Old Town.

In the distance one can see the dome of the largest church in Bydgoszcz, St. Vincent de Paul Basilica Minor (designed by Adam Ballenstedt), which is modelled after the Roman Pantheon. The church dome was decorated with rosettes featuring motifs of Polish flowers.

Sielanka

109

Alternative image of the city

| Alternative image of the citySightseeing routes

Bydgoszcz is recognized among culture

lovers. Popular festivals are important events

in the history of the city. Tourists appreciate

Bydgoszcz for its myriad historic landmarks,

museums, and tourist attractions, but the

city has much more to offer. Traditional

attractions are perfectly complemented

by the Alternative Route. This proposal is a

perfect opportunity to learn about Bydgoszcz

as a centre of culture, which can be seen at

almost every corner. Art lives among locals,

becoming unusual thanks to its ordinariness.

Places worth visiting:

1. Modern Art Gallery – is a collection

that is constantly open to new artistic

thought, critical reflection and collecting

works of artists, who with their activity have

determined not only the image of Polish art,

but have contributed to the development of

world art. www.muzeum.bydgoszcz.pl, Mill

Island, Red Granary

2. Mózg – a legendary club which

has been promoting contemporary art for

twenty years, in particular music combining

experiment and improvisation. These days,

“Mózg” operates as a centre of alternative,

non-commercial art. It is a place for artists

creating original, unique art. www.mozg.pl,

10 Gdańska St.

3. “Round I” by Jerzy Bereś – an image

of the injured Pegasus, which according

to the artist symbolizes the condition of

contemporary culture. Cast in bronze, the

artwork can be seen on the courtyard of the

Municipal Gallery bwa.

The Contemporary Art Gallery in

Bydgoszcz has been going since 1949. Some

of the most important events hosted by the

gallery include exhibitions showcasing works

of Andy Warhol and Pablo Picasso.

www.galeriabwa.bydgoszcz.pl, 20 Gdańska St.

4. Andrew’s Trousers – this unique

sculpture made by Piotr Wagner is a tribute

to the outstanding graphic artist and painter

Andrzej Nowacki. The tenement house, in

Mózg Festival

110

which the artist lived and worked for fifty

years, features the sculpted, realistic jeans.

The sculpture refers to the famous series of

the artist called “Jeans Wearers.” Tenement

house, 3 Plac Wolności Street.

5. Monument to the Millennium of the

Polish State made by Stanisław Lejkowski

unveiled in 1967. In 2010, it became an

inspiration for the campaign Urban Vision

Quest – installations made by the Cultural

Activities Centre “Las.” Leszka Białego Square,

at the corner of Krasińskiego, Markwarta and

3 Maja Streets.

6

OLD MARKET SQUARE

Andrew’s Trousers

111


6. Metal statue of Nicolaus Copernicus

– made during the First Bydgoszcz Plein-Air

Sculpting (August-September 1973). This

metal sculpture was made by Maria Chudoba-

Wiśniewska. It weighs 864 kg and is 4.57 m

high. In addition to the sculpture, the square

owes its uniqueness to ellipses lined with

natural stone, surrounded by individual

planets, highlighted by flower beds and

new varieties of tulips named after Nicolaus

Copernicus. A tree, named Nicolaus, was also

planted on the square. Square in Kopernika

Street.

7. Polish Theatre – for several years

it has been actively participating in the

production of premieres and exclusive

premieres as well as social-civic projects of

both national and international range. The

6

OLD MARKET SQUARE

theatre also offers a possibility for developing

interests and passions in acting (the Young

Stage) and playwriting (Drama School,

Adaptation School). “Theatre Behind the

Scenes” is a campaign that serves as a perfect

opportunity for visiting and taking a look at

the theatre from the inside.

www.teatrpolski.pl, 2 A. Mickiewicza Av.

8. Jan Kaja and Jacek Soliński Gallery

- founded in 1979. During the 1980s, it was

one of only several private galleries operating

in Poland. It hosted nearly 500 exhibitions,

projects, shows, installations, theatre

productions, and meetings.

www.autorska.pl, 5 Chocimska St.

9. Gate from Mirrors – installation made

by Joanna Rajkowska. The artist used 700 kg

of mirrors to create a mosaic in a passage to

the courtyard of one of Bydgoszcz’s tenement

houses. The project, known under the title

“Thermometers and Glass”, can be seen at 5

Mazowiecka St.Nicolaus Copernicus Monument

Jan Kaja and Jacek Soliński Gallery

112

10. Municipal Centre for Culture – a

cultural institution and interdisciplinary

centre promoting culture in all its aspects and

disciplines. It hosts both small workshops and

spectacular concerts. Activities of the Centre

are guided by the motto “We set the cultural

rhythm of the city.” www.mck-bydgoszcz.pl,

12 Marcinkowskiego St.

Bydgoszcz Murals form an interesting

presentation of high quality street art. The

Bydgoszcz murals are ranked among the most

impressive in the world. This platform served

as a springboard for such talented artists as

Mateusz Gapski, Przemysław Blejzyk, Bartek

Świątecki, and Robert Proch. Poland’s first ten-

storey high mural was made here. Some of the

murals were made by seniors and homeless

under integrated activities.

Concert in the Municipal Centre for Culture

“Breakfast of the Champions” at 6 Piotra Skargi Street,

“Music Box”, 5 Wyszyńskiego Street

“Master Yoda”, 1c Gackowskiego Street

113


Murals in the city centre:

1. Be Quiet, 14 3 Maja St.

2. Birdie, 14 3 Maja St.

3. Peter Pan, 16 3 Maja St.

4. Athletes, 24 3 Maja St.

5. Self-description, 7 Ks. Piotra Skargi St.

6. Breakfast of Champions, 5 Ks. Piotra Skargi St.

7. Time, 2 Mikołaja Reja St

8. Time, 3 Poznańska St.

9. Mural in 11 Obrońców Bydgoszczy St.

10. Estrada, 51 Dworcowa St.

11. Mural in 24 Bocianowo St.

12. Sandbox, Bocianowo St. (T. Kościuszki Sq.)

13. Game, 37a T. Kościuszki St.

14. Art of crime, 37 T. Kościuszki St.

15. Mózg/ Fashion House Drukarnia, 2 Parkowa St.

16. Weranda Restaurant, Ks. St. Konarskiego St.

(Kazimierz Wielki Park)

“Peter Pan”, 3 Maja Street no. 16

“Breakfast of the Champions” at 6 Piotra Skargi Street,

114

Wzgórze Wolności, a district in Bydgoszcz, features a mural entitled “The Winter Story”, designed by Bydgoszcz senior residents. It was transferred to the walls by members of the artistic group Etam Crew. There is also a mural made by the homeless, which was made under the project New Colours Fordon.


Other interesting addresses:

1138 Club & Cafe

11 Wełniany Rynek St. | tel. +48 796 697 111

www.facebook.com/klubokawiarnia1138

Farbiarnia Gallery, Fine Art Photography

Studio

68a/1 Pomorska St. | tel. +48 508 732 871

www.farbiarnia.org

Landschaft vintage : cøncept : cøffee

6 Gimnazjalna St. | tel. +48 503 952 334

www.landschaft.pl

Lamminam Vinyl Shop

6 Gimnazjalna St. | tel. +48 696 471 414

www.facebook.com/lamminam/info

Strefa, Cafe, yoga and pilates

11 Długa St./Mill Island | tel. +48 796 956 956

www.strefabydgoszcz.com.pl

Widzimisie

shot bar, coffee, music, concept shop

5 and 1/2 Kościeleckich Sq. | tel. +48 609 109 248

www.facebook.com/widzimisieto/info

Kamienica 12

12 Poznańska St.

Other murals outside the city centre:

Â Winter Tale, 29 Karpacka St.

Â Musical Toy, 5 Wyszyńskiego St.

Â Fordon, shelter for the homeless, 422

Fordońska St.

Â Sailing to Freedom, 10 Bora -

Komorowskiego St.

Â Master Yoda, 1c Gackowskiego St.

Mural “Winter Tale” in Karpacka Street

115

| Industrial heritage of BydgoszczSightseeing routes

In 1860 there were 25 factories and large craft workshops ope-rating in Bydgoszcz, whereas in 1895-1905 their number increased from 147 to 548.


Time: about 2 hoursThe industrial route is an encounter with

the old times of former glory, relics of those

parts of the city that were setting its rhythm,

which used to sound with the clatter of

tools and the whirr of machines. These days,

Bydgoszcz participates in the Shift-X project,

the aim of which is to make former industrial

areas more attractive and open to tourists.

However, one can already go for a walk and

be surrounded by our industrial heritage

landmarks.

Time has erased many workshops and

factories from the cityscape, but architectural

remains of other buildings remind us about

the importance and traditions of the

local industry, whose products reached

such distant parts of the world as China.

A sentimental walk with a post-industrial

heritage in the background is a trip for

persistent strollers. Starting from the late

18th century, the first factories were opened

in Bydgoszcz, which stretches alongside the

Industrial heritage of Bydgoszcz

River Brda. They included mills, a tannery,

an iron foundry, dyeworks, and even the

textile factory of Johann Carl Schunck, who

employed 163 people in wool processing

in 1796. From the 1840’s, workshops,

manufacturing halls and large production

plants were popping up like mushrooms.

We start our tour at the Bydgoszcz Canal

(p. 77), which was built with the support of

sawmills and brickyards opened especially

for this project. Construction of the Canal

gave the first impulse for commercial and

industrial growth of the city. The second

impulse was the opening of the railways in

1851. Nakielska Street, which runs parallel

to the Canal, offered convenient conditions

for the development of factories. The first

factory, situated at number 89, was Willy

Jahr’s Pomeranian Bicycle Factory (1).

Its buildings dating from 1930 and 1934

(designed by Alfred Müller) feature typical

functionalist architecture.

This factory was one of several

companies which in 1949 served as the

founding plants of the United Bicycle

Production Plant “Romet” (headquartered in

Fordońska Street). In 1839, at 53 Nakielska

Street, which was closer to the city centre,

116

Plagemann’s agricultural equipment factory

was established, which was the first machine

production plant opened in Bydgoszcz. It

was followed by an iron foundry; since 1878,

the Woodworking Machine Factory (2),

founded by Carl Blumwe in 1865 has been

operating continuously to this day, involved

in the production and repair of farming

machinery. Our attention is also focused on

the neo-Gothic façade of the factory building

(late 19th c.) and neo-baroque residential villa

with an administrative part (1892, designed

by Carl Stamphel), which was the residence

of the company owner until he built a new

home for his family at 50 Gdańska Street

(p. 102). An office building with a motif

of crossed hammers is adjacent to the villa.

This highly specialised factory manufactured

frame saws for woodworking. During the

interwar period, it produced as many as

250 types of them, including self-propelled

machinery (such as the “Gigantik” model –

the biggest in the world), which were able

to operate directly in the place of logging.

House no. 47 (designed by Fritz Weidner)

stands nearby. It was built by Wilhelm

As early as 1802, a paper mill was operating at 53 Nakielska Street. The owner, however, stipulated in the sale contract that a paper factory was not allowed to operate in the building. This clause led to changing the activity conducted in the building.


19

117

Blumwe in 1898 as a kindergarten for workers’

children. Heading east, we leave Nakielska

Street (staying on the right side) and passing

through the Grunwaldzkie Roundabout we

enter Marszałka Focha Street, facing the

impressive building of the former School

of Crafts and Art Industry (3) (currently

the Complex of Mechanical Schools no. 1)

at 37 Św. Trójcy Street (designed by Otto

Brech, 1910-1912). It was once occupied

by the channel of the Old Canal, which was

used for floating wood. We reach the corner

with Czartoryskiego Street. Now, we stop

and look at the opposite side of Marszałka

Focha Street. Further, behind Grottgera

Street that heads north, on the premises

of the University of Economy, we notice a

| Trasa PrzemysłowaTrasy zwiedzania

19


University of Economics, formerly the tannery

Did you know that...In 1845, the owner of the tanne-ry opened a workshop, in which he tanned a thousand cowhides a year. Fifty years later, this number increased to 140,000 a year and the tannery was one of the biggest operating in what was then Prussia.

118

distinct structure of an old office-residential

villa, built in the style of historicism, with

predominating neo-baroque architecture.

In the past it housed the biggest steam-

powered tannery (4) in the city, founded in

1863 by Ludwig Buchholz on the bend of the

River Brda in Garbary Street, which was still

operating in the 1980’s.

We turn right to Czartoryskiego Street.

On the left side, on the corner, at number 20

(5), we pass an impressive, neo-classicist

villa (today it houses a branch of the Revenue

Service in Bydgoszcz) dating from 1855-

1857, built by master carpenter Heinrich

Mautz as his residence; he owned a local

sawmill for several decades. From 1887, the

villa was the property of the State Treasury

of Prussia, and later - the State Treasury of

Poland, serving as an official apartment of

the division commander. Between the end of

the 1920’s and the beginning of the 1930’s,

division general Wiktor Thommée lived

here. Further, on the same side of the street,

at numbers 4-6, there is a well-preserved

complex that was built in 1887-1897 for the

needs of C.A. Franke’s spirit refinery (6).

The present residential building situated at

6 Czartoryskiego Street, featuring a gable

wall decorated with the bas-relief “Children

in a Bath”, housed a public bath (7), which

was owned by the company, using warm

water generated during spirit production.

Here, we can enter a courtyard and - on the

opposite side - take a look at a charming,

neo-mannerist building of an old office.

Later, we turn right in order to walk

down to the Brda Młynówka riverside by a

paved passage. Here, on the right side, we

pass the old building of Wilhelm Kopp’s

laundry and dyeworks (8) dating from the

late 19th century and cross the little bridge

to enter Mill Island.

In the refinery’s former storehouse there was a huge tank for one million litres of spirits.


The Bydgoszcz Venice, on the River Brda Młynówka, was a perfect place for dyeworks, since in the past the water was not separated from buildings by a boulevard. The riverside buildings used to approach the riverbed, “entering” it, whereas industrial and bath buildings were designed in such a way that water flowed through them. Therefore, water was supplied by the Młynówka watercourse.


Building of the old laundry and dye-works of Wilhelm Kopp

119

Across from it, we can find a monumental

structure of the famous Bydgoszcz Rother’s

Mills (9) dating back to 1848-1849 with the

prominent, massive brick building, which

had once featured a mill with grains and

flour warehouses attached to it. We pass

the grand building, walking alongside it

on the right. In front of us, on the left side,

is an old brick mill (1861), changed later

into a granary – called “The Red Granary”

(10) (occupied today by the Modern Art

Gallery of the District Museum). Just in front

of it, we turn left and follow a walking alley

alongside the riverside to the footbridge. In

front of the footbridge, on the right side, is

“The White Granary” (11), dating from the

18th century, changed to meet the needs of

the museum (Archaeological Collection). The

footbridge offers a view of the old groat mill

(12) driven by a water turbine changed into

a power plant. It’s worth mentioning that in

1846, in the former Royal Mills, the city’s first

steam engine was activated. In this way, the

Bydgoszcz industry entered “The Steam Age”.

Once again we enter Marszałka Focha

Street, this time to admire the impressive

building of the Opera Nova (built on the site

once occupied by the granaries that were

consumed by fire in the 1960’s). From here,

we head east, to the right. On the left side,

we pass a group of tenement houses. Behind

them, just like in other buildings in city

centres, small companies used to operate in

the past. They included production plants

involved in manufacturing shoes and

mineral water, and a printing house (13).

Now we face a magnificent corner building

(6 Plac Teatralny Street, which features

the name “Savoy” on its façade) (14) with

features of classicizing modernism,

built in 1912 (designed by Henry Gross of

Berlin) for Otto Pfefferkorn, an owner of a

furniture factory who had his showroom in

the building. His famous factory, founded


Rother’s Mills

120

in 1884, was turned into the Bydgoszcz

Furniture Factory operating to this day.

Now, we walk straight, going under

the arcade of Pfefferkorn’s tenement house,

reaching the beginning of Jagiellońska Street,

which runs parallel to the River Brda. Across

the street, behind the old Church of the Poor

Clares, we can notice the glass façade of a

shopping centre (15), reminding us of the

classicist façade of the old printing house

and two centuries of notable printing

traditions, which Bydgoszcz could boast

of. In 1806, Jan Adam Kimmel received a

royal charter to run a printing house, which

was later assigned to his stepson, Andrzej

Fryderyk Gruenauer. He opened a printing

house in Poznańska Street, which in May

1815 he moved to the house with an annex

occupying the site at 1 Jagiellońska Street.

In 1875, Gruenauer’s printing house was

switched to steam power, which contributed

to its further development.

Another complex worth mentioning is

a group of residential and factory buildings

at 12 Podwale Street. The four-wing building

with an internal courtyard was built in

1871-1875 for J.G. Böhlke’s soap factory

(16) established here in 1849. These days,

the Bydgoszcz soap making traditions are

preserved by the Museum of Soap and

History of Dirt with a manufacturing hall at

13-17 Długa Street (p. 63).

A family-run shoe company, founded in

1876, forms a beautiful chapter in the history

of Bydgoszcz industrialization. It expanded

from a small shoe workshop, run by Wiktor

Weynerowski, his wife and children, into an

enterprise which in quality and production

standards competed fiercely with the Czech

footwear factory “Bata” during the 1930’s.

Around 1891, the company “W. Weynerowski

and Son. Footwear Factory” was taken over

by the son Antoni, who had been helping

his father in the shoe making business as a

twelve-year-old boy. The factory was moved

to the buildings at 34 Św. Trójcy Street,

which no longer exist. Later, the prospering

factory needed a more prominent seat.

For that purpose, the Weynerowski family

purchased a large plot at the corner of

Kościuszki and Chocimska Streets (17).

Bydgoszcz architect Paul Sellner designed

a modern factory building with two storeys

and an attic, with facilities for workers and a

spacious goods lift.

The factory’s growth gained

momentum in its new location. The number

of people employed there increased to 300.

In 1929, the company was taken over by

Antoni’s sons, Henryk and Witold, who three

years later named the family business “Leo”

Footwear Factory S.A., commemorating their

brother Leon, who had died during The First

World War and their mother Leokadia (who

died in 1927).

The Second World War brought an end

to this family enterprise. After 1945, the

nationalized “Leo” Footwear Factory, known

later as “Kobra”, operated at 27 Kościuszki

Street until 1992.

121

Other landmarks on the industrial

heritage map of Bydgoszcz include the

partially preserved complex of buildings

of the local gasworks (18), which was

opened on this site in 1860 – 42 Jagiellońska

Street. A little bit further, across the street,

at 43-47 Jagiellońska Street, there are

the front buildings of the old Municipal

Slaughterhouse (19), designed by Carl

Meyer and opened in 1890. In 2006, the

group of buildings was incorporated into

the new shopping centre built on the site

once occupied by the other buildings of the

slaughterhouse.

was originally owned by the Wolfen & Fließ

company, and from 1892 - by Baerwald & Co.,

which had successfully competed with the

mills on Mill Island. In the summer of 1938,

Bronisław Kenzer became the new owner. He

opened the company known as “Kentzer’s

Mills” (21). They were nationalized after ten

years. These days, the buildings of the old

mill and grain warehouse dating from 1916

have been turned into a hotel known as

Słoneczny Młyn.



Another stop on the route is the factory

building at 92 Jagiellońska Street (20),

which once housed Brunon Sommerfeld’s

company, founded in 1905. From a workshop

specializing in the repair of keyboard

instruments, it turned into a production

plant manufacturing outstanding pianos,

known even outside Poland. Unfortunately,

it operated only until 1945. 96 Jagiellońska

Street was once occupied by a steam-

powered mill, opened around 1862, which

Across the street, at number 117, is a

sizable property, where among old trees

we can find the functionalist buildings of

the “Pasamon” Factory manufacturing

haberdashery, tapes and straps (22),

founded in 1924, which continues to make

woven tapes and technical haberdashery.

The director’s villa dating from the 1930’s

deserves a special mention. Just like the

factory buildings, it was designed by Jan

Kossowski.

The extension of Jagiellońska Street is

Fordońska Street, heading to the centre of

a little old town called Fordon, which now

Słoneczny Młyn Hotel, formerly Kentzer’s Mills

In 1937-1938, Jerome David Salin-ger who wrote “The Catcher in the Rye”, served an internship in the Bydgoszcz slaughterhouse. A commemorative plaque with the writer’s image can be seen in one of the slaughterhouse bu-ildings (in the present shopping centre).

122

is one of the districts of Bydgoszcz. Many

industrial buildings have been saved in this

street. The most notable of them, situated in

the southern part of the street, feature vast

complexes of factory buildings. Number 152

was formerly occupied by the Bydgoszcz

Cable Factory, and presently by TELEFONIKA

Kable Sp. z o.o. S.K.A. (23). Founded in

1920, the complex consists of buildings

constructed in 1920-1924 and later. The

oldest buildings include the entrance gate

and the office building with the production

facility. Newer buildings feature the director’s

villa with an interesting cornice designed by

Bronisław Jankowski, dating from 1930-1931.

One of the strengths of this location was the

direct access to the river port. Since 1914,

its neighbour, at number 154, has been the

Bydgoszcz Plywood Factory (24), operating

partially in historical buildings dating back

to the company’s foundation. Going further

towards Fordon, we reach a skyscraper

standing at 246 Fordońska Street, which in

the past housed offices of the well-known

Bicycle Production Plant Romet (25). The

old production facilities were pulled down.

Bydgoszcz is an important place on the

water map of Poland. Its location on the Brda

and Vistula rivers as well as the Bydgoszcz

Canal is undoubtedly an attraction for water

tourists, who can come here by boat all the

way from Berlin, by the E-70 International

Watercourse.

A little bit of historyBydgoszcz had its heyday between the

15th and 17th centuries. Taking advantage

of its ideal location on the Brda and Vistula,

the city was one of the major places on the

map of Poland in that period. Commerce

developed on the navigable waters of the

River Vistula, where the main trade goods

included grains, beer and ceramic products.

Unfortunately, after being ravaged by fires

during the Swedish invasion and epidemics,

Bydgoszcz lost its prominent position. This

miserable period continued for over a century.

As a result of the partitions of Poland, the city

and its surrounding region were annexed by

Frederick the Great. Noticing the potential of

this place, he decided to build a connection

between the Odra and Vistula rivers. The

26-kilometre-long Bydgoszcz Canal, built in

Trail of hydrotechnical historical sites

123

| Trail of hydrotechnical historical sites Sightseeing routes

1773–1774, contributed to the rapid growth

of Bydgoszcz, which became a large industrial

and commercial centre in the 19th century.

Bydgoszcz was once again becoming

an inland port. Construction of a new

branch of the Bydgoszcz Canal in 1908–1915

played a very important role in the history of

river transport of the city. New locks made

navigation of larger vessels possible. After

regaining its independence and the return

of Bydgoszcz to Poland in 1920, river trade

lost its relevance for a brief period. In that

time, the vast part of the German shipping

company Bromberger Schleppschiffahrt

Aktien Gesellschaft was Polonized, resulting

in the change of its name to Bydgoszcz Lloyd,

which took over the previous carriers. During

the interwar Period, the company had quickly

become an important link in the national river

transport system. The river infrastructure was

nationalized after The Second World War.

Bydgoszcz Water Junction

The Bydgoszcz Water Junction is a “water

network” developed thanks to connections

between the Brda, Vistula, Bydgoszcz Canal

and the Upper Noteć Canal as well as smaller

watercourses (Flis, Struga Młyńska, and

Prądy), featuring unique historic landmarks

of hydrotechnical engineering.


An important part of the Bydgoszcz

Water Junction is the Old Bydgoszcz Canal

(p. 77), as well as the new waterway dating

from the 20th century with hydrotechnical

facilities, including the locks Osowa Góra,

Prądy, Czyżkówko, and Okole. These days,

they are in operation and are incorporated

Bydgoszcz has about fifty cros-sings over the River Brda and Bydgoszcz Canal, including a host of bridges and footbridges.

124

into the E-70 International Waterway. From

the beginning of their operation, they

enabled transport of the biggest vessels of

that time, with a weight exceeding 400 tons.

All locks are the same length – 57.4 m and

width – 9.6 m. However, they differ in terms

of the height of lifting. The two locks in the

west – Osowa Góra and Prądy – were built in

1773–1774. The facilities were reconstructed

in 1908–1915 and enable lifting at the height

of 3.55 and 3.82 m. Passage through each lock

the River Brda, we sail under railway bridges,

the Królowej Jadwigi Bridge, passing the

stately building of the former East Prussia

Railway Authority, which was erected in the

late 19th century, approaching finally another

lock called the Municipal Lock. Starting

from the origins of the Bydgoszcz Canal, it

had caused most of the problems, which

were related to very difficult geotechnical

conditions on the site of its construction. In

1882–1884, the wooden municipal lock was

replaced with a new structure featuring a

unique, trapezoidal design. Barges passed

through this lock with their stern ahead,

which was a significant difficulty since they

had to be turned. The lock was replaced with

a new structure only during reconstruction

of the Bydgoszcz Canal in 1908–1915. This

impressive facility has survived to this day.

This single-chamber lock of dock design, just

is no longer than 20 minutes.

The next two hydrotechnical facilities

look almost the same. The locks of Czyżkówko

and Okole were built on a new, two-kilometre-

long cut in 1908–1915, replacing five locks on

the Old Bydgoszcz Canal. They had to level out

the difference in levels of more than 15 metres.

Czyżkówko Lock rises by 7.52 m in nearly 30

minutes, and Okole by 7.58 m in about 20

minutes. These locks have saving basins, which

reduce the amount of water needed for the

passage of boats through the lock.

Travelling across Bydgoszcz downstream

The area of Okole Lock served as a location for the cult TV series “Czterej pancerni i pies” (Four Tank-men and a Dog). The most spectacular Bydgoszcz episode was related to the famous blowing up of the gates of Lock no. 3 with the use of Panzerfaust by one of the leading characters called Gustlik. It should be mentioned that it was not the only lock shown in the series. Observant viewers noticed scenes featuring the locks in Grottgera Street and Rybi Square that no longer exist.


Okole Lock

125


like the canal locks, is sized 57.4 by 9.6 m, with

the height of lift of 3.33 m. Passage through

the lock takes about 20 minutes.

Two weirs – “Ulgowy” and “Farny” – play

a very important role in damming the water

in the city centre. Their task is to let in the

water from the Młynówka to the Brda. The

height of damming water is about 3.36 m.

The “Ulgowy” Weir, which is hand operated,

was built in 1920.

Several decades ago, barges and

tugboats were seen frequently in the city

centre of Bydgoszcz. The “LEMARA” barge,

as the office of shipping companies that had

operated in Bydgoszcz throughout the 20th

century. Across from Rybi Square, there is the

magnificent neo-Gothic building of the Polish

Post Office.

Further east, we sail under the

Bernardyński Bridge. In its proximity, is a little

mansion, which has been housing offices of

numerous rowing societies starting from the

beginning of the 20th century.

We end our adventure with the

Bydgoszcz water junction at the Czersko

Polskie barrage, which consists of two locks

– Brdyujście and Czersko Polskie, roller dam,

fishway at the roller dam, hydroelectric power

station, weir, and another hydroelectric power

station on the right side of the weir.

Brdyujście Lock was built in 1879. With

a size of 57.4 by 18 m, it enabled clearing the

difference in levels of 2.3 m in height. These

days it is decommissioned. It was replaced by

Czersko Polskie Lock in 2002. The new lock,

115 by 12 m in size, enables passage with a

4.9 m difference in levels.

During the last reconstruction of the weir on the River Młynówka, a whitewater kayaking course was established, which is one of only a few in the immediate city centre in Europe.


not self-propelled, moored in Rybi Square,

reminds us of them.

The port in the city centre of Bydgoszcz

is also remembered by the scenic granaries

and the Bydgoszcz Lloyd Palace, which served

There are three hydroelectric power stations in Bydgoszcz, generating about 4.5 MW of power. They include the “Smukała” Power Plant, the “Mewat” Power Plant in Czersko Polskie, and the “Kujaw-ska” Power Plant, which features a sizeable collection of technical equipment.


Municipal Lock

126

10

10

21

1. Osowa Góra Lock

2. Prądy Lock

3. Gwiazda Marina

4. Czyżkówko Lock

5. Lock no. 6 on the Old Bydgoszcz Canal


7. Museum of the Bydgoszcz Canal


9. Okole Lock

10. Railway bridges

11. Królowej Jadwigi Bridge

12. Municipal Lock

13. “Ulgowy” Weir

14. Bydgoszcz Marina

15. Mill Island

16. Historic water level gauges

17. Międzywodzie - the between-water-area

18. “Farny” Weir

19. “Kujawska” Hydroelectric Power Station

20. Jerzego Sulimy-Kamińskiego Bridge

21. Brdyujście Lock

22. Czersko Polskie Lock

23. Brdyujście Boat Race Course

24. Czersko Polskie Roller DamCzersko Polskie Roller Dam

127

10

10

21


Locks:Opening hours vary by season; please inquire

by phone.

Locks of the Bydgoszcz Canal

www.poznan.rzgw.gov.pl

Okole – tel. +48 52 322 56 20

Czyżkówko – tel. +48 52 379 75 72

Prądy – tel. +48 696 721 036

Osowa Góra – tel. +48 52 372 20 42

Locks on the River Brda

www.gdansk.rzgw.gov.pl

Czersko Polskie Lock – tel. +48 52 343 51 11

Municipal Lock – tel. +48 52 322 37 01

The Museum of the Bydgoszcz Canal has been operating in Byd-goszcz since 2006. It is located at 3 Nowogrodzka Street.tel. +48 693 765 075www.muzeumkanalu.pl


128

By bicycle through Bydgoszcz

Route 1: On the Old Bydgoszcz CanalTime: 1 hour, distance: 3.5 km

We start our tour in the Old Market

Square, at the Bydgoszcz Information

Centre (1a), where we can hire a bicycle.

We head to Mill Island by Niedźwiedzia

Street. It’s worth taking a look at a simple

baroque tenement house (2a) at number

11, which used to house the pharmacy Pod

Niedźwiedziem. Ku Młynom Street takes

us to a 6-hectare island (p. 76) situated in

the middle of the city. The first building that

should draw our attention is the Red Granary

dating from 1861 (3a), formerly a steam-

powered mill, now one of the buildings of the

Leon Wyczółkowski District Museum. We leave

this old industrial facility on the right side and

go further alongside the River Młynówka, a

rapidly flowing tributary of the River Brda. A

plethora of 19th-century tenement houses

and old factories that practically emerge from

the water create a place known as Bydgoszcz

Venice (4a).

Walking under the shade of expansive

chestnut trees, we reach the footbridge over

the Młynówka, which takes us straight to

Świętej Trójcy Street. Here, we are welcomed

by a modernist tenement house (5a) dating

from the 1930’s, at number 5/5a, designed

by architect Jan Kossowski. We turn right

and following Świętej Trójcy Street we head

for the Grunwaldzkie Roundabout. One of

the attractions en route is the Holy Trinity

Church (6a), featuring modernist architecture

and a neo-baroque interior, built in 1910-1912

and designed by Poznań architect Roger

Sławski. Across from the church, at number

23, there is a very unique tenement house

(7a) featuring interesting Art Nouveau

ornaments, built in 1903. Murals made by

Brunon Gęstwicki (1882-1969) can be seen

inside. At the end of the street, our attention

is focused on the building of the old Royal-

Bydgoszcz Venice on the River Młynówka

129

| By bicycle through BydgoszczSightseeing routes

Prussian School of Crafts and Art Industry

(8a) dating from the early 20th century.

These days, it serves as the premises of the

Complex of Mechanical Schools no. 1. Now,

we walk across Kruszwicka Street, towards a

shopping centre, from which we head north

to the Old Bydgoszcz Canal (1773-1774)

(p. 77).

On the other side of the roundabout, we

turn left and walk alongside a little stream,

which is a reminder of a section of the Old

Canal that was backfilled in 1971. On the

right side, we pass the Starofarny Cemetery

(9a), the oldest necropolis in Bydgoszcz. We

cut through Wrocławska Street, passing the

historical lock no. 4 (10a) and continue our

trip alongside the canal. We are surrounded

by lush greenery, featuring expansive trees,

some of which are designated as national

natural landmarks, dating back to the times

of Napoleon Bonaparte. At a section between

lock no. 4 and lock no. 5 (12a) we pass near

the Museum of the Bydgoszcz Canal (11a),

housed in a 19th-century utility building at 3

Nowogrodzka Street. Continuing straight, we

go past the historical lock no. 5, going under

the railway tracks (Bydgoszcz – Inowrocław

line) and reach the buildings of the oldest

sports club in the city, Gwiazda Bydgoszcz.

We end our canal sightseeing trip on the site

where Józefa Bronikowskiego Street crosses

the canal, more precisely at lock no. 6 (13a).

From here, we can turn back and return to

the city centre on the other side of the Canal

or continue our sightseeing taking Route II.Church of the Holy Trinity

Gate of the Starofarny Cemetery

130

O S I E L S K O

ROUTE I

131

O S I E L S K O


There are many historical graves in the Starofarny Cemetery, including graves of French soldiers who died during the Franco-Prussian War of 1870 – 1871, the grave of the distinguished Bydgoszcz citizenTeofil Magdziński and a cemetery chapel commemorating residents of the city who were killed in 1939. The oldest preserved tombstone dates from 1864. Many prominent residents of the city are buried here.


132

Route II: Old Bydgoszcz Canal – Smukała – Myślęcinek – Old Town

Time: 4 hours, distance: 26 km

Going past the Bydgoszcz Canal and

stopping by in the proximity of the sports

club and lock no. 6, on the site occupied by

“Gwiazda” Marina (13a), we turn right to

Bronikowskiego Street, which will lead us

to the Western Junction, more precisely

to Grunwaldzka Street. We cross this busy

thoroughfare with suitable caution and turn

into Nad Torem Street. At the first traffic light

we enter the pavement, where we find a

bike path. We continue our trip along Nad

Torem Street all the way to the end of the

bike path. We go further by a pedestrian-

biking trail along Koronowska Street to the

crossing with Opławiec Street. We turn into

this street, which will lead us to Biwakowa

Street. En route, we pass the Smukała Dam

(1b) with a hydroelectric power station

and the Second World War cemetery (2b),

at number 160, dedicated to the victims of

the resettlement camp and re-education.

At the crossing of Opławiec and Biwakowa

Streets, on the River Brda, an unusual

monument with paddles (3b) has been

erected. The kayak along with the paddles

protruding from it commemorates the 1953

and 1966 trips on the River Brda taken by

Father Karol Wojtyła, later Pope John Paul II.

We turn right to Biwakowa Street and enter

Smukalski Bridge. It offers a view of the

beautiful scenery created by the waters of the

River Brda. We pass the bus terminal and turn

right to Smukalska Street. We travel a long

stretch of the road surrounded by woods.

At number 113 we suggest turning right in

order to see the Shrine of the Mother Thrice

Admirable (4b), one of the six Shrines of

Entrustment to the Schoenstatt Movement

in Poland (dedicated in 2001). We return to

Smukalska Street, in order to turn left after

several minutes, into a fire escape route,

number 16. It will lead us to “Myślęcinek”

Forest Park of Culture and Recreation

(p. 66), the biggest municipal park in

Munument of Paddles in Smukała

Barrage in Smukała

133


Poland (830 hectares). Going straight

through the forest we reach Rekreacyjna

Street, merging into it on the bend of the

road, in the immediate proximity of the PKP

Bydgoszcz Rynkowo railway station (5b).

We get off the bike and carry it across the

footbridge (access to the footbridge is rather

steep). We go through Jeździecka Street and

turn right to the forest at its first bend. We

go straight to the lookout tower, which we

pass and turn right. Going

through a ravine, we go

down to one of several ponds

of Myślęcinek. Near the lake,

close to which there is a little

spring popular among the

locals, we turn right towards

the Kujawsko-Pomorskie

Ecological Education Centre

in Myślęcinek (6b). We

continue our trip by a paved

section of the road to the

first intersection, where we

take a right turn to Hipiczna

Street, which will lead us to

the Różopole common. We turn left, going

past it on the right side. We go straight to

Gdańska Street, passing on the left the

Myślęcinek Zoo and allotment gardens. This

place is a great opportunity to use Route III

and go to Fordon or further to Ostromecko.

Another option is to take a bike path running

alongside Gdańska Street, which will take us

back to the city centre. On the left side we go

past the historical buildings of “Las Gdański”

waterworks station, which features the

Museum of Waterworks (7b). We go across

an overpass over the railway tracks and pass

on the right the Zdzisław Krzyszkowiak

Zawisza Stadium (8b), then we turn right

to Powstańców Warszawy Street. This leads

us to the railway tracks. At the end of the

street, we take the left turn and continue

our trip first by a bike path alongside the

Nowofarny Cemetery (9b), and further –

by Zaświat and Zygmunta Augusta Streets.

We go past the buildings of Bydgoszcz

Główna railway station (10b), accessing

Unii Lubelskiej Street. We cross the street

and then turn right, entering the boulevard

running alongside the River Brda.

Before we turn left, we can take a look

at the opposite site, which features three

railway bridges (11b). The nearest one – the

eastern bridge – is one of the oldest railway

Historical Pump Room

134

bridges in Poland (1851). Going along the

boulevard, we go across the Królowej Jadwigi

road bridge, which was built in 1913. We pass

the monumental building of the former

Eastern Railways Authority (12b), built

in 1886-1889 in the style of Netherlandish

mannerism. Now, we enter the Władysława

Jagiełły tram bridge (the first suspended

tram bridge in Poland, 2011-2012), which

takes us across the River Brda.

We follow the route alongside the tram

tracks. At the crossing with Garbary Street,

we can notice the beautifully restored

façade of the corner tenement house

(13b), built in the castellated style in the early

20th century. We continue to go straight to

Marszałka Focha Street, where we take the

left turn toward Solidarności Bridges, which

offer a great view of the Municipal Lock

(14b) dating from 1915. In its proximity, we

find a unique, older trapezoidal lock dating

from 1884, which was unveiled recently. On

the pedestrian crossing, we take our bike

across the street, where we can go for a ride

around the building of the Opera Nova

(15b). Finally, we go across the footbridge

to Mill Island, from which we return to the

Old Market Square. We end our trip in the

same place as we started.

Route III: Old Canal – Smukała – Myślęcinek – Fordon – OstromeckoTime: all day, distance: 37 km + return about

14 km

This is an extension of routes I and

II. When we reach Gdańska Street, we go

further via a cycle route trail alongside

Sądecka Street, all the way to Armii Krajowej

Avenue. At the pedestrian crossing in the area

of Zamczysko Street, we go across this busy

thoroughfare and continue our trip by a forest

biking trail (red biking trail), which leads us

to Akademicka Street in Fordon. We head

east, first by Akademicka Street, followed by

Korfantego Street (where we turn left) and

later by Twardzickiego Street. At the crossing

with Bołtucia Street we turn left, going past

the Parish of Our Lady, Queen of Martyrs

and enter the area of the Bydgoszcz Death

Valley (1c). This site served as a place for mass

M/S Bydgoszcz at the Municipal Lock

135


executions of Bydgoszcz residents carried out

by the Germans in 1939. There are symbolic

graves, a monument, and the Stations of the

Cross of the Bydgoszcz Calvary – Golgotha

of the 20th century, part of the Shrine of Our

Lady, Queen of Martyrs. After making a loop in

the Death Valley, we go back to Twardzickiego

Street. Then we take Kleeberga Street,

Andersena Street (where the trail runs parallel

to the street), Sielska, Ametystowa and Flotylli

Wiślanej Streets, reaching a crossing over the

Vistula, the Rudolf Modrzejewski Fordon

Bridge (2c), which in the past (1893) was the

longest bridge in the German Empire.

We recommend taking a quick exit to

Bydgoska Street from the roundabout that is

just before the bridge, which will take us to

the Market Square in Old Fordon (3c). These

days, it is a district of Bydgoszcz, which until

1973 was a separate small town with a very

long, multicultural history. Some of the most

prominent historic sites of Old Fordon include

a classicist building of an old synagogue

dating from the late 18th century, which

miraculously survived the German occupation

(the Nazis turned it into a cinema, which was

going until 1988), the neo-Gothic Church of

St John, Apostle and Evangelist dating from

1878-1879, and the neo-baroque Church of

St Nicholas dating from 1927-1928 (designed

by Stefan Cybichowski). In the Market Square

of Old Fordon, our attention is focused on a

group of buildings of the Penitentiary Prison

for men, whose origins date back to 1859. The

oldest of the buildings, erected in 1780-1783

(pavilion II of the prison), served as an old

Prussian customs house.

After a brief stop in Old Fordon, we go

back to the bridge and after crossing the

Vistula we take the bike down a flight of stairs,

which can be found on the left side, behind

the last span of the bridge. Taking the asphalt

road (right turn) we head towards Strzyżawa,

continuing our trip by a forest biking trail on

the left side, alongside regional road no. 551.

We enter the parking lot of Ostromecko

Palace and Park (4c) at 9 Bydgoska Street

by taking a left turn from the regional road,

several metres before entering the town of

Ostromecko. (p. 147).

We return to Bydgoszcz by the same

route, all the way to “Myślęcinek”. We continue

our trip back by the route marked as Option

II. We can also go back to Bydgoszcz by train

from the railway station in Ostromecko.

New Palace in Ostromecko

136

Green Bydgoszcz

Artist Zbyszko Piwoński turns dead tree trunks into sculptures in the streets of Bydgoszcz. They can be seen at 30 Gdańska Street, “Woman in Doves”, in Mickiewicza Avenue, “Awakening of Elves” (both made in 2006), and in Słowackiego Street, “We Will Play in Just a Moment” (2010). There is also a monument of Dwarves made in Konopnicka Street by Mirosław Kufel (2012).


Time: approx. 3 hours (park in Myślęcinek, additional 2 hours)

In Bydgoszcz, the first gardens were

established in monasteries and suburbs,

where they were owned by affluent town-

smen. During the period of the partitions

of Poland, the Society for Beautification of

the City of Bydgoszcz and its Environs (ac-

tive 1832-1898) made the city greener by

planting new trees and creating greenery

in city squares. During the interwar period,

Bydgoszcz, Katowice and Warsaw had been

known as the greenest cities of Poland.

Since 2004, works have been underway on

the project “Restoration of Tree Alleys in the

City Centre based on the plantings from the

1920’s and 1930’s”. In terms of green areas,

the city is only behind Warsaw.

We start our walk at the water tower at 1

Filarecka Street (Museum of Waterworks). The

Henryk Dąbrowski Park (1), stretching on

a steep terraced hill, was established on the

initiative of President of Bydgoszcz District,

Carl von Wissmann, thus it was known initially

as Wissmann’s Hill. The park featured ponds

and a waterfall connecting them. It was very

popular from the early 20th century, when a

water tower with a lookout terrace offering a

panoramic view of the city was erected on the

top of the hill. In 1920, the park was named

after Gen. Henryk Dąbrowski, who stopped

on this site in October 1794 (an obelisk

commemorating this event, made by Krystyna

Panasik, was erected in 1995). Revitalization

works have continued in this place since

2002. The park features several national

natural landmarks, including pedunculate

oak, northern red oak, ginkgo, Turkestan elm,

small-leaved linden, and white willow. New

plantings added in 2013 included Caucasian

oak “Concordia”, Japanese Pagoda Tree, and

cornus controversa “Variegata”.

We continue our trip, going down

towards the Old Town by Terasy Street all

the way to the New Market Square. We take

137

| Green BydgoszczSightseeing routes

At the beginning of the 1950’s, in a square close to the water tower, the communist authorities built a wooden structure with a radio jamming device for disrupting the signal of radio stations from Western Europe. On November 18, 1956, residents of Bydgoszcz burnt the radio station mast. Participants of this campaign were subjected to repressions, but the tower was not rebuilt. This event is commemorated by a plaque installed in 1996.


Wąska Street to Wełniany Square. After that,

we go through a small passage between the

tenement houses no. 6a and 7, through a

lattice footbridge, and enter Mill Island (2)

(p. 76). Situated in the heart of the city,

this green oasis encourages relaxing by the

humming canal of Międzywodzie, admiring

the Bydgoszcz Venice, and taking a walk along

paved alleys lined with chestnuts, lindens

and willows planted in the 19th century. The

central part of the island is occupied by a

playground for children.

We leave Mill Island, heading towards

the Old Market Square by Ku Młynom and

Niedźwiedzia Streets. We cut through the

Old Market Square and take Mostowa Street

to the crossing of Gdańska and Jagiellońska

Streets. A small square (3) dating from the

second half of the 19th century, featuring

a wayside shrine with a statue of Our Lady,

is seen close to the old Church of the Poor

“We Will Play in Just a Moment”- sculpture in a dead tree trunk

138

The convent garden was slightly larger than the park, reaching the present-day 3 Maja Street. It featured a fishing pond, an orchard with fruit trees, vegetable garden, and a garden with medicinal plants, which in the 16th century included such plants as common wormwood, horseradish, summer savory, garlic, mustard plant, dill, mint, and nettles. The nuns used them to make medicines administered to the needy gathering at the convent lazaretto.


Clares at 2 Gdańska Street. Going through

Gdańska Street, we reach Wolności Square.

In its proximity, is the Kazimierz Wielki Park

(4), which is the oldest park in the city. Here,

the Poor Clares used to have their garden,

which was outlined in the convent in the

16th century.

In 1835, after the convent was

disbanded, the garden was turned into the

District Park (Regierungs Garten) that was

owned by the District Office, situated at what

is now 3 Jagiellońska Street (presently, the

Regional Office). The garden was open only to

the city officials and closed to other residents

of the city. In 1900-1901, it was changed to

the Municipal Park (Stadt Park), redesigned by

Paul Meyerkamp, and opened to the public. In

July 1909, the “Deluge” Fountain was unveiled

(p. 84). Trees of the park had suffered during

the Second World War, when bunkers were

excavated there. Since 1945, the park has

been named after King Casimir the Great.

It is a very charming place with two ponds

(a swan house can be seen in the middle of

one of them), the restored fountain and a

playground for children. During hot summer

days, one can hide in the shade of old trees.

Rare specimens of trees can be seen in the

park, including bald cypress, London plane,

pedunculate oaks, and ginkgo. The park looks

particularly beautiful in the autumn.

The park borders Wolności Square (5)

featuring a monument commemorating

the Red Army soldiers who died during the

battles for liberation of the city, erected in

1945 (designed by Jan Kossowski). In 1990,

it was renamed the Freedom Monument.

In 1888-1919, the site was occupied by the

equestrian statue of Wilhelm I (designed by

Alexander Calandrelli).

Kazimierz Wielki Park

139


In 1946, on the occasion of the 600th anniversary of Bydgoszcz, the Kazimierz Wielki Park and the surrounding buildings hosted the Pomeranian Exhibition of Industry, Crafts and Trade. It attracted more than a thousand exhibitors and 120,000 visitors between July and September of that year. The event is commemorated by a brick arch.


We continue our walk, turning from

Wolności Square to Gimnazjalna Street

and further, through its extension, which is

Libelta Street. In front of us, we can find the

Jan Kochanowski Park (6), a landscape park

established in 1901 by Konrad Neumann (the

then director of the Bydgoszcz Municipal

Gardens). Scenic, meandering paths, vast

green areas, a playground for children and

a myriad of tree and shrub varieties make

the park one of the favourite recreation

sites for the locals. The Academy of Music is

located in the vicinity of the park. The music

heard from the building makes walking

even more pleasant. In August 1927, a

monument to Henryk Sienkiewicz (designed

by Konstanty Laszczka) was unveiled, which

was damaged during the Second World

War. The current statue of the writer was

erected on the same site in May 1968 (made

by Stanisław Horno-Popławski). In 1970, a

decorative plaque with a broken rose was

installed in the park. It commemorates the

death of fifty secondary school pupils from

the Male Secondary School, functioning

during the interwar period, who were killed

on September 5, 1939 (designed by Józef

Makowski). The most frequently visited

statue in the park is the Archer Lady (p.

80), erected in 1960 at a park square across

from the Polish Theatre. During the 1970s, on

the initiative of Andrzej Szwalbe, the head of

the Pomeranian Philharmonic, work started

on establishing a music district. The Park

and the area surrounding the Pomeranian

Philharmonic was successively adorned with

statues of composers and virtuosos (F. Chopin,

I. Paderewski, S. Moniuszko, H. Wieniawski,

G. Bacewicz).

There are also several trees designated as

national natural landmarks seen in the park,

including a black poplar, alnus cordata, red

horse-chestnut, and pedunculate oak.

Going through the park, we reach

Mickiewicza Avenue and head to

Weyssenhoffa Square. The corner is occupied

by the former Botanical Garden (7), which

was opened in 1930 and designed by Marian

Güntzel, director of the Municipal Gardens.

The garden was surrounded with fence and Botanical Garden in Niemcewicza Street

140

The Oak Lane of Honour is located in Ossolińskich Avenue. Some of the trees are dedicated to such notable people as Pope John Paul II, painter and graphic artist Leon Wyczółkowski, writer TadeuszNowakowski, and cryptologist Ma-rian Rejewski.


divided into the following departments:

systematic, biological, crop plants, and

ornamental plants. The latter featured a

rectangular square, in the middle of which

was a sundial mounted on a raised platform,

with small statues of girls in the corners,

depicting the seasons. A bas-relief map of

Bydgoszcz could be seen in the southern

part of the square, on the fence wall. In 1995,

the Botanical Garden was designated as a

national natural landmark. It was handed

over to the Kazimierz Wielki University in

1999. These days, the garden has more than

300 specimens of trees and shrubs, featuring

unique and relict varieties. Foreign species

originate primarily from Asia and North

America, but there are also trees and shrubs

from the Mediterranean regions, including

North Africa. Half of the plantings come from

Europe. The garden has fifteen varieties of

trees and shrubs that are under protection

(including shrubby birch, dwarf birch,

mezereon, Swiss stone pine, European dwarf

cherry, and European bladdernut). Between

April and late autumn, the Park is open to the

public through its main entrance at the corner

of Niemcewicza Street and Weysenhoffa

Street. In winter, the park can be accessed only

from the Kazimierz Wielki University.

Now, we can choose either of two

options for a further walk.

We can continue our trip to the Wincenty

Witos Park in the city centre (Option I) or to

Myślęcinek, which is the biggest park in

Poland (Option II).

Option I:

Going out through the main exit of the

Botanical Garden, we head to St Vincent de

Paul Basilica Minor, whose dome towers

over this part of the city. We take the wide

Ossolińskich Avenue, outlined in 1903 and

lined with oaks, heading to its crossing with

9 Markwarta Street. Ossolińskich Avenue

features the Oak Lane of Honour. A magnolia

(natural landmark), which is one of the most

magnificent and oldest in Bydgoszcz, grows

at 12 Ossolińskich Avenue. On the left side, we

take a look at the narrow Szymanowskiego

Street (8) shaded with Swedish whitebeams

St. Vincent de Paul Basilica Minor

141


According to the original concept, the Jan Kochanowski Park was supposed to be part of the garden district designed in the early 20th century (p. 108). The romanticism of the design was highlighted by the location of the park between Goethego Street (presently 20 Stycznia 1920 Street) and Schillera Street (presently Paderewskiego Street).


(the tree alley is a natural landmark). Now we

face the Wincenty Witos Park (9), established

in the 1950’s on the site of a Protestant

cemetery (which is commemorated by an

obelisk erected in 2007). The park features

some impressive old trees. Some of the most

prominent specimens include the city’s

biggest chestnut, 540 cm in circumference

(a natural landmark), very rare catalpa

bignonioides with beautiful leaves, and

another pedunculate oak designated as a

natural landmark. In 2013, a hornbeam alley

was planted. A bust of the patron (made by

Witold Marciniak) was erected in the southern

part of the park in 1984. A band shell, built in

1956, is seen in the middle of the park.

Option II:

We go back by Mickiewicza Avenue to

Gdańska Street, which we can do either by

walking or taking a tram, heading towards

the “Myślęcinek” Forest Park of Culture and

Recreation (10). The park was created in stages

from 1972. This recreation and park zone was

142

From the Middle Ages to the Second World War, the village of Myślęcinek was part of a nobleman’s estate. A mill and an inn were operating here from the 18th century; a distillery was opened in the mid-19th century, which in 1861 was turned into a brewery with a restaurant. Myślęcinek beer enjoyed great popularity. The brewery was closed in 1945. Its brick ruin can be seen to this day at the corner of Gdańska and Konna Streets.

Did you know that...designed by engineers Aleksander Pietrzak

and Edward Bartman. It was incorporated

into the city limits of Bydgoszcz in 1977.

These days it is the biggest municipal park in

Poland, stretching over 830 hectares. More

than half of the park features woods with pine

trees, lindens, oaks, hornbeams, and beeches.

Hiking and jogging paths, Nordic walking

trails, biking and inline skating trails crisscross

the area. A ski slope with a lift is open in

winter. Forest clearings encourage relaxing

and picnicking. The varied topography is

conducive to horseback riding (an equestrian

centre has been active in the park since 1982).

The eastern part of the park is occupied by

the Polish Fauna Garden, featuring a mini-

zoo, aquarium and terrarium. The garden

has such animal species as European bison,

fallow deer, lynx, wolf, raven, eagle, and

falcon. In the valley of the Struga Myślęcińska,

dammed into a number of cascades, a vast,

60-hectare Botanical Garden was established

in 1983. It is divided into zones corresponding

with various climates. It also features a rock

garden. There are educational trails, including

a special trail for the blind. Myriad tourist trails

run through the park in Myślęcinek, including

the Brda Trail and S. Meysner Tourist Trail. It is

also the starting place of the Jeremi Przybora

Tourist Trail. We end our “green walk” in this

beautiful area. We can go back to the city

centre from Myślęcinek by a tram or bus.

Outside the trail:

A total of 96 national natural landmarks

can be found in Bydgoszcz. Some of these

landmarks grow in the city centre, including:

Â Silver maple at 1 Mikołaja Kopernika

Street

Â Ginkgo at 2 Gimnazjalna Street

Â Tree of heaven in Jagiellońska Street, in

front of the Regional Office

Â Ginkgo at the corner of Jagiellońska

and Konarskiego Streets

Â “Bartek” Oak, which should be

mentioned here, despite the fact that

it doesn’t grow in the city centre, but

is the oldest tree in Bydgoszcz, dating

back over 500 years. It grows in the

proximity of the crossing of Toruńska

and Sporna Streets.

A walk through the Park on the Bydgoszcz

Canal ( p. 77).

143


145

POZNAJ BYDGOSZCZBYDGOSZCZ ENVIRONS

Bydgoszcz environs

Żurski Reservoir

146

Grudziądz154

Ostromecko147

Inowrocław156

Koronowo149

Żnin and its environs158

Beaches and bathing waters150

Ciechocinek159

Toruń151

Chełmno153

Włocławek161

147

Ostromecko

| Ostromecko

About 17 km from the city centre of

Bydgoszcz, towards Dąbrowa Chełmińska,

is the Ostromecko Palace and Park (9

Bydgoska Street). The New Palace was

erected in the classicist style in 1832-1849

(to the design of Karl Friedrich Schinkel’s

studio), commissioned by the then owner of

Ostromecko, Jakub Martin Schoenborn. The

main building is joined from the south by a

neo-baroque annex, featuring the Hunting

Palace (1891-1892), and from the north – by

the Ballroom added in 1905. These days, the

building houses a restaurant with a hotel.

In the west, the Palace is adjoined by vast

terraces (ca. 1912), heading straight to a

19th-century garden, designed in the English

style by garden architect Peter Joseph Lenné.

Now we head towards the Old Palace, which

is located far in the garden. The present

structure dates from the mid-18th century,

when the previous nobleman’s manor house

was expanded by the Mostowski family. The

palace, built in the Warsaw rococo style,

features a collection of 18th- and 19th-

century pianos collected by a distinguished

citizen of Bydgoszcz, Andrzej Szwalbe, whose

memorial chamber is in the building. The

windows of the palace and the terrace outside

the building offer a picturesque view of the

Italian garden stretching below, as well as the

Vistula and its old riverbed.

The south-western part of the palace

park features the mausoleum of the

Schoenborn-Alvensleben family, the owners

of Ostromecko for many years. The Palace and

Park, administered by the city of Bydgoszcz,

is an important cultural and entertainment

17 km from the Bydgoszcz

city centre

The legend of the golden jaw dates back to the origins of Ostromecko, when the local estate was the property of a knight. A horse saved the life of one of the owners of Ostromecko during a battle. Unfortunately, the animal’s jaw was injured during this fight. The injury was serious enough to make eating impossible. This time, the knight saved his beloved horse by getting him a golden jaw. After its death, the animal was buried on the site that is presently occupied by the park. To this day, no one has been able to find the place in which the owner buried his brave companion with its golden jaw.


Bydgoszcz environs

148

centre of the city and the entire region

of Kujawsko-Pomorskie Voivodeship. The

Municipal Centre for Culture in Bydgoszcz

organizes numerous vernissages, exhibitions

and music concerts in the palace.

In the immediate proximity to the Ostro-

mecko Palace and Park, is the Parish Church

of St. Nicholas, Stanislaus and John the

Baptist. The place of worship was built in

the Gothic style in 1630. The church tower

dates from 1764, when it was rebuilt by the

then owner of Ostromecko, Governor of Po-

merania, Paweł Mostowski (his initials are

seen on the flag of the church spire). The

baroque interior features a Gothic statue of

St Mary and Child, and a Pieta. In addition,

Ostromecko has many other interesting sites

that date from the period when the estate

was the property of the Alvensleben fami-

ly, including buildings of an old post office,

hospital, stagecoach trading post, a railway

station dating from the late 19th century,

and a brickyard (these days, the premises of

the old brickyard are occupied by the Mine-

In 1894, William II, Emperor of Ger-many arrived at Ostromecko on the occasion of the opening of the Fordon Bridge. During that time, the Emperor was a guest of Albrecht Alvensleben (1848-1928), the owner of the local estate. The history of Albrecht’s descendants is very unique. His eldest son, Jo-achim Martin (1877-1969), the heir of Ostromecko of many years, accep-ted the new Polish authorities after the First World War and maintained very friendly relations with the Poles. He initiated construction of the “Freedom Monument” in Ostro-mecko commemorating the 10th anniversary of Poland regaining independence. During the Second World War, he spent several years in concentration camps, where he was sent at the request of his el-der son Albrecht Werner, member of SS and Selbstschutz, respon-sible for the death of many Poles. Joachim’s younger son Ludolf, cal-led Lulu, was well liked and formed a nice chapter in the history of Ostromecko.

Did you know that...New Palace in Ostromecko

149

ral Water Production Plant). The first infor-

mation about the Ostromecko water dates

from the 16th century. Extraction of mineral

water from the local spring began in 1894.

Until the outbreak of the First World War,

the water from the Maria Spring was called

| Koronowo

Koronowo

Marien-Quelle. During the Second World

War, the water from Ostromecko, produced

for the needs of the Wehrmacht, was sent to,

among other places, Africa, where the Ger-

mans fought fierce battles with the British.

Koronowo is a town with a deep-rooted

and rich history, situated in a picturesque valley

of the River Brda, 25 km north of Bydgoszcz.

Its defensive features as well as economic

potential were noticed by the Cistercians.

Frequent raids of the Teutonic Knights on

their original seat in Byszewo forced the friars

to move their monastery to a safer place, which

is today’s Koronowo.

In 1368, King Casimir the Great chartered

in Kruszwica the local settlement as a town. The

name Koronowo dates back to the first half of

the 15th century and derives from the name of

the monastery, which was called Corona Marie

by the friars.

Koronowo is known for its historic

landmarks. The most prominent of them is

the old Cistercian monastery, which now

houses a prison. The old monastery church

(initially a collegiate church, and presently a

basilica minor) is an example of early Gothic

monumental architecture (25 Bydgoska

Street). At the turn of the 18th century its

interior was rebuilt in the baroque style. New

furnishings and high quality artworks were

added as well.

Other historic sites that are worth visiting

include St Andrew’s Church dating from the

late 16th century (Farna Street), the Town Hall

built in the first half of the 19th century (1 Plac

Zwycięstwa Street), an old synagogue (Szkolna

Street), the Jewish cemetery (Kolejowa Street),

and a watermill dating from the mid-19th

25 km from

Bydgoszcz

city centre

Cistercian Abbey in Koronowo

Bydgoszcz environs

150

century (Nakielska Street). Re-enactment of

the 1410 Battle of Koronowo is organized

every year between the end of July and the

beginning of August.

The famous painter and graphic artist

Leon Wyczółkowski (1852-1936) lived and

worked in Gościeradz, a village near Koronowo.

The artist and his wife are buried in a rural

cemetery of Wtelno, which is located 10 km

away from Koronowo.

In 1956-1961, the Koronowo Reservoir

was established, which is popular among

tourists who come here for sailing, kayaking

and other attractions. The area is a paradise for

waterfowl such as ducks, common moorhens,

swans, harriers, great crested grebes, cranes,

grey herons, falcons, and white-tailed eagles.

The entire reservoir is surrounded by coniferous

woods. In the autumn, the forests around the

reservoir attract throngs of mushroom hunters.

More information:

Tourist Information Centre

pl. Zwycięstwa 22, 86-010 Koronowo

tel. +48 52 382 46 53

[email protected]

Beaches and bathing waters

During hot summer days there are

plenty of opportunities for chilling out on

one of the many lakes that can be found in

the Bydgoszcz area.

Piecki and Chmielnikibathing beaches

The bathing beaches are located on

Lake Jezuickie, 10 km away from Bydgoszcz.

Driving to Inowrocław, we take the left turn

after the village of Brzoza. No public transport

is offered to Piecki, whereas Chmielniki can

be accessed by a train or PKS bus (approx. 20

minutes). Some of the offerings available on

site include kayak, boat and pedal boat hire,

and small fast food restaurants.

Pieczyska BathingBeach

Pieczyska bathing beach with a lifeguard

on duty is situated about 30 km north of

Bydgoszcz. The Koronowo Reservoir is an

Koronowo Reservoir, beach in Pieczyska

151

| Toruń

Toruń

attractive site for tourism and recreation.

Pieczyska has a well-developed offer of tourist

facilities, including water equipment hire,

bouncy castles, roundabout for children, and

a host of eateries. Sporting and cultural events

are organized during the vacation season in

Pieczyska. PKS and private buses offer access

to the Koronowo Reservoir.

Samociążek BathingBeach

The bathing beach is located on Lakes

Czarne and Białe, which were combined as a

result of establishing the Koronowo Reservoir,

about 20 km away from Bydgoszcz. Access

is offered by PKS and private buses. Access

to the “Julia” bathing beach is paid; some

of the amenities offered on site include a

beach volleyball court, tennis court and water

equipment hire (kayaks, rowing boats, pedal

boats), and an attended car park.

Borówno BathingBeach

The bathing beach is located on the lake

with the same name, 10 km from Bydgoszcz

on the route to Gdańsk. Local attractions

include a playground, beach volleyball courts,

campsite, RV site, and changing room. Paid

admission.

Toruń is a city with a population of

200,000, situated on the River Vistula. The

border of the two historical regions of Poland

– Pomerania and Kuyavia – runs through the

city.

Toruń was founded by the Teutonic

Knights in 1233. Access to the Vistula

contributed to the development of a

prospering river port in the city. Thanks to

extensive trade relations, the city grew at a

fast pace. In the 19th century, thanks to its

strategic location, the city was surrounded

by a ring of Prussian fortifications. A dozen or

47 kmfrom Bydgoszcz city centre

View of the Old Town in Toruń

Bydgoszcz environs

152

so large forts have remained to this day; one

of them is open to the public (86 Chrobrego

Street).

In 1997, the Toruń Old Town

was designated as a UNESCO World

Heritage Site. Some of the factors

that contributed to this designation

include the medieval urban

layout of the Old Town that

has remained unchanged

for centuries and a host of

historic sites. The Toruń Old Town

is a gem of Gothic architecture.

Some of the most impressive

landmarks include the Cathedral

of St Johns (which features

the baptismal font in which

Nicolaus Copernicus was

christened), the Church

of the Blessed Virgin

Mary, and the Church

of St James, regarded

as the most beautiful in

Toruń. One of the most prominent historic

buildings is the Gothic City Hall. The city

gates and fortified walls, dating back several

hundred years, are also examples of Gothic

architecture. The distinct Leaning Tower has

become one of the symbols of the city.

Toruń is also the hometown of the

great astronomer Nicolaus Copernicus.

In order to find out more about his life,

we recommend a visit to his family house,

featuring an exhibition dedicated to his life

and achievements (15/17 Kopernika Street). A

monument commemorating the astronomer

is seen in the Old Town’s Market Square.

Another symbol of the city is Toruń

gingerbread, baked for centuries according

to the traditional recipe. We invite you to

visit the local museum, which shows

the secrets of gingerbread

making and allows visitors to

bake their own gingerbread

(Live Gingerbread Museum, 9

Rabiańska Street).

The deep-rooted history

of the city is reflected in

valuable collections of the

local museums. The City Hall

displays examples of Gothic

art and products made

by early craftsmen. Small

galleries in the Old Town offer

unique souvenirs.

Today’s Toruń is a venue

of innumerable events,

concerts and exhibitions. It hosts

international music, theatre and film festivals.

It is also a major college town. Young students

full of energy create the unique atmosphere

of the city. A plethora of restaurants and

cafes, varied accommodation and numerous

attractions make Toruń a must-see tourist

stop.

More information:

Tourist Information in Toruń

Rynek Staromiejski 25, 87-100 Toruń

tel. +48 56 621 09 31

www.it.torun.pl

153

| Chełmno

Chełmno

Chełmno is a picturesque town on the

River Vistula stretching across nine hills, the

capital of the historical Chełmno Land. The

first written record of Chełmno dates from

1065. The town is known for the Chełmno

Law (the document contained parts of the

Magdeburg, Flemish and Hungarian laws)

incorporated by the Teutonic Order in 1233.

Until the 18th century, Chełmno served as a

legal and architectural model for chartering

225 towns (such as Warsaw, Gdańsk, Toruń,

and Wadowice, to name but a few) and over

1,364 villages and settlements. Chełmno,

thanks to the medieval walls and historic

sites, is called the “Polish Carcassonne” or the

“Little Kraków”. In addition, the great value

of the historical old town of Chełmno can

be confirmed by its registration on the List

of Heritage Landmarks of the Presidents of

Poland in 2005.

The biggest attractions of Chełmno

are its historic sites dating from its heyday

(13th-14th centuries). The town features a

preserved, chessboard layout of medieval

streets and 2,270 m long Gothic city walls,

52 kmfrom Bydgoszcz

city centre

Bird’s eye view of Chełmno

Bydgoszcz environs

154

serving as the most outstanding examples

of defensive architecture in Europe. The

heart of the town is its market square, the

centre of which is occupied by the “gem of

Pomerania’s Renaissance architecture” – the

Gothic-Renaissance Town Hall. It has the

model of a medieval unit of measure, known

as the “Chełmno Bar”, 4.35 m long, seen on

one of the walls of the Town Hall. These days,

it houses the Museum of Chełmno Land.

Chełmno, which is one of the towns of

the European Route of Brick Gothic (www.

eurob.org), features an old Cistercian-

Benedictine monastery and as many as six

Gothic churches. One of them is the Fara

Church of the Assumption of the Blessed

Virgin Mary, which has the relics of St

Valentine. On the Feast of St Valentine,

celebrated on February 14, the town hosts

Valentine’s Day of Chełmno. Due to this

reason, Chełmno is called the Town of Lovers

and the Town of Love. Every year in February,

the town attracts lovers, offering to them such

local delicacies as lovage buns.

Visiting the Chełmno churches, we

recommend climbing the 60-metre high

tower of the Fara Church (Franciszkańska

Street), visiting the crypt of Benedictine

prioress Magdalena Mortęska (1554-1631) in

the local convent (40 Dominikańska Street), as

well as the treasury and monastery cellars. The

Church of the Holy Spirit (Toruńska Street) has

a wide variety of knights’ armour.

More information:

Chełmno Tourist Information

Rynek 28, 86-200 Chełmno

tel. +48 56 686 21 04

www.chelmno.pl

Grudziądz

Grudziądz sits on the right bank of the

River Vistula, in the northern part of Kujawsko-

Pomorskie Voivodeship. The city is a natural

“gateway” to the Tuchola Forest, Chełmno

Land and the Iława Lake District.

The oldest historic sites of Grudziądz

are its earliest brick buildings, erected during

the reign of the Teutonic Knights, including

the castle ruins, the Basilica of St Nicholas

(1 Kościelna Street), and the city walls with

75 km from

Bydgoszcz

city centre

155

| Grudziądz

the Water Gate (7 Wodna Street). A group

of distinct, monumental granaries, creating

a unique panoramic view across the Vistula,

date back to the late Middle Ages. The turn of

the 18th century is remembered in Grudziądz

for three beautiful monasteries, namely the

convent of the Benedictine nuns (3/5 Wodna

Street), the monastery of the Order of the

Reformati (10/22 Wybickiego Street) and the

Jesuit monastery (1 Ratuszowa Street).

During the partitions of Poland, Friedrich

II of Prussia made the decision to build

a citadel in Grudziądz. In a short period,

a modern and the biggest fortress of Poland

was constructed, featuring 5 bastions,

4 ravelins and 32 kilometres of underground

galleries. The rapid growth of military craft

and construction of a bridge over the Vistula

led to expansion of the fortress in the late 19th

century. Such forts as Mała and Wielka Księża

Góra, Fort Nowa Wieś, Parski, Tarpno, Dąb, Gać,

Lasek Miejski and Strzemięcin were erected

at that time. This expansive development

of the city fortification system “backfired”

on Grudziądz during the liberation battles

in winter 1945. Grudziądz was turned into

a city-fortress, the object of battles between

the German and Russian armies that

continued for six weeks. In 1945, nearly three-

quarters of the city was damaged. These days,

almost all forts are open to the public. In

addition, every Saturday between May and

September as well as May 3 and November

11 the citadel, which is administered by the

army, is open to visitors.

One of the attractions of Grudziądz

is Europe’s only graduation tower

closed in a pyramid (Geotermia

View of the Old Town in Grudziądz

Bydgoszcz environs

156

Grudziądz, 36 Warszawska Street,

www.geotermiagrudziadz.pl). Thanks

to air circulation in the closed system,

concentration of healthful elements is so high

that - according to balneology specialists -

one hour of inhalation in the pyramid equals

the daily absorption of iodine at the seaside.

An attraction for families with children

is the Mega Park, a family entertainment park

situated on Lake Rudnickie (Zielona Street).

It comprises Fairy Tale Land, Jurassic Park,

Flintstones’ Land, a Zoo, and Safari. However,

the most popular among the youngest

visitors is the western city called Kansas City.

More information:

Tourist Information

Rynek 3-5, 86-300 Grudziądz

tel. +48 56 461 23 18

www.it.gdz.pl

Inowrocław

Inowrocław is a city situated in the centre

of the region of Western Kuyavia, some 40 km

from Bydgoszcz.

Inowrocław is described as a “city on salt”,

due to its unique location on salt deposits,

whose curative power has been used for

many years. An exceptional local microclimate

is conducive to treatment of hypertension,

upper respiratory diseases, thyroid, and

skin allergies. It is also used in early cardiac

rehabilitation.

The spa part of the city is created by the

Saline Park situated on over 85 hectares. It

features a graduation tower, the main facility

of the spa, which was opened in 2001. It is the

second largest in Poland, just after the one in

Ciechocinek. Brine is conveyed via pumps to

the highest level of the graduation tower (9

m); then it flows down through blackthorn

branches, contributing to the development

of saline aerosol in the surroundings of

the graduation tower. During the interwar

40 km from the

city centre

of Bydgoszcz

Tram running through the Market Square in Grudziądz

157

| Inowrocław

period, Inowrocław was called the “gem of

spas”. It attracted health resort visitors from

both home and abroad. Some of the spa

amenities located in the park include the

pump room, offering waters extracted in

Inowrocław, mineral “Inowrocławianka” water

and curative water called “Jadwiga”; the Palm

House and the Kuyavian cottage with many

species of exotic plants, beautiful fragrant

gardens, papal gardens, a sandy beach, tennis

courts, outdoor fitness centre, a site for BBQ

gatherings, and trails that attract throngs of

runners, rollerbladers and bikers.

The most prominent historic landmark of

Inowrocław is the Basilica Minor of the Most

Holy Name of Mary, built at the turn of the

13th century (9 Bpa. A. Laubitza Street). The

exterior walls of the basilica, on its northern

side, feature bas-reliefs of devils, animals

and people, symbolizing the basic truths of

Christian faith, which according to legends

were supposed to protect the faithful against

evil powers.

We also recommend visiting the Jan

Kasprowicz Museum (33 Solankowa Street),

where we can trace back the history of salt

mining in Inowrocław. Other attractions

include a thermal spring (with chloride-

sodium water extracted at a depth of 491

m) and SPA facilities (Harmonia SPA, 107

Świętokrzyska Street, Medical SPA, 23

Wilkońskiego Street, and Anielska Grota in

the Bast Hotel, 35/37 Królowej Jadwigi Street).

More information:

Municipal Tourist Information Centre

ul. Królowej Jadwigi 3, 88-100 Inowrocław

tel. +48 52 355 53 71

[email protected]

Graduation towers in Solankowy Park of Inowrocław

Bydgoszcz environs

158

Żninand its environs

Żnin is a charming town, situated about

42 km from Bydgoszcz in the historical region

of Pałuki, whose origins date back 750 years.

Its symbol is the 15th-century tower of the

Town Hall. It houses part of the exhibition of

the Museum of Pałuki Land, dedicated to the

history of Żnin. The remaining displays are

presented in the historical building of the

Municipal Office, at 1 Wolności Square.

Only 13 km from Żnin is Biskupin,

Poland’s best known archaeological reserve. It

offers a look at a Neolithic settlement, showing

how rural folk used to live in the period of

Lusatian culture and during the early Middle

Ages. This place teems with life almost all year

long. In addition, the Archaeological Festivals

taking place in September attract crowds of

archaeology and history enthusiasts.

Another attraction in the Żnin area is the

village of Wenecja with castle ruins dating

from the late 14th century, which used to

serve as a residence of Nakło castellan Mikołaj

Nałęcz, called the Bloody Devil of Wenecja.

There is also the Narrow-Gauge Railway

Museum. A ride by a narrow-gauge railway

on the Żnin-Wenecja-Biskupin-Gąsawa route

is an unforgettable experience.

There is also an impressive, classicist

palace in Lubostroń (19 km from Żnin), an

old residence of the Skórzewski family.

The palace offers an interesting tour of its

interiors, exhibition and concerts, which are

organized regularly in this venue. The palace

is surrounded by an English-style park that

invites you to stroll.

On offer for children is Zaurolandia –

Dinosaur Park in Rogowo (15 km from Żnin)

and a western city called Silverado City in

Bożejewiczki (6 km away from Żnin).

To sacred art aficionados we recommend

visiting the churches of Pałuki. Particularly

attractive is the wooden Church of St Nicholas

in Gąsawa (11 km from Żnin) dating from the

17th century, featuring baroque murals in its

42 km from

Bydgoszcz

city centre

Palace in Lubostroń

Archaeological Museum in Biskupin

159

| Ciechocinek

Ciechocinek

Ciechocinek is one of the best known

and most beautiful lowland spa towns. It

is situated in Kuyavia, about 77 km from

Bydgoszcz. Mineral water deposits, great

climate and beautiful scenery are some

of the attractions of the town covered in

greenery. The most recognizable buildings

of the spa are its wooden graduation

towers, which are used to evaporate water

from brine. They offer a unique, curative

microclimate. Health resort visitors who

come to Ciechocinek recuperate not only

interior. On a hot summer day, we can chill out

on one of the many lakes of the Pałuki region

or go to the diving centre in the Piechcin

quarry (30 km from Żnin).

More information:

Tourist Information in Żnin

Plac Wolności 20, 88-400 Żnin

tel. +48 52 303 14 81

www.it.znin.pl

77 km from the

city centre

of Bydgoszcz

Graduation towers in Ciechocinek

Bydgoszcz environs

160

thanks to medical treatments. Meetings at

the famous pedestrian street of Ciechocinek,

walks alongside flower beds, and moments

of relaxation in one of several Ciechocinek

parks are some of the best therapies.

The town specializes in the treatment

of limb and rheumatic diseases, circulatory

diseases, respiratory disorders, nervous

system diseases, and women’s diseases. It is

one of only several spas in Poland where the

number of places for health resort visitors

has been increasing in recent years.

the Opera-Operetta Festival (August),

Polish Tenors’ Gala (July), Disabled Youth

Song Festival “Artistic Impressions” (July),

Kuyavia and Dobrzyń Land Folklore Festival

(June/July), National Firefighters’ Song

Festival (June), Regional Brass Band Festival

(July), the “Blues without Barriers” Festival

(September), and the International Festival

of Roma Song and Culture (July).

More information:

Office for Promotion of the Town

ul. Zdrojowa 2b, 87-720 Ciechocinek

tel. +48 54 416 01 60

www.ciechocinek.pl

Nearly 300,000 flower seedlings are planted every year in order to make the town more beautiful.


Ciechocinek is called a garden town.

Its green areas comprise three spa parks –

Zdrojowy, Tężniowy and Sosnowy. They are

supplemented by the famous flower beds,

myriad squares, greens and smaller parks

surrounding sanatoriums, and avenues of

trees alongside streets. Reminders of the

old spa include unique examples of wooden

architecture – with the wooden Summer

Theatre (1891) at 3 Kopernika Street. Other

places worth visiting in Ciechocinek include

the Historical President’s Mansion and the

information-education centre (3 Wojska

Polskiego Street).

Ciechocinek is also a festival town.

Some of the most popular events include

Flower carpets in Zdrojowy Park of Ciechocinek

161

In the south-eastern part of Kujawsko-Po-

morskie Voivodeship, on the River Vistula,

we find Włocławek, a city that in the past

was called the “capital of Kuyavia”, one of

the oldest cities in Poland. During the early

years of the reign of the Piast dynasty, the

city, which was founded by Duke Vladislav at

the outlet of the River Zgłowiączka to the Vi-

stula, was regarded as one of the gathering

sites of the Polish army of the greatest stra-

tegic importance. The main trade waterway

ran through the area. In 1123, Włocławek

became a bishopric. The city is associated

with the famous faience factories, which

operated from the 19th century. Some of

the historic landmarks of Włocławek that are

worth visiting include the Cathedral Basilica

(7 Kopernika Street) dating from the 14th

and 15th centuries, the monastery of the

Order of the Reformati in Wolności Square,

and the Bishop’s Palace (2 Gdańska Street).

Włocławek

| Włocławek

113 km from

the city centre

of Bydgoszcz

Bird’s eye view of Włocławek

Bydgoszcz environs

162

One of the most important places associated

with Włocławek is the local dam, which also

reminds one of a sad story. Here, Father Je-

rzy Popiełuszko died a martyr’s death in the

river.

Water enthusiasts will be charmed by the

beautiful Włocławek Reservoir, which is an

attractive place for playing water sports,

fishing, hiking, biking, mushroom hunting,

horseback riding, and other outdoor activi-

ties. The Włocławek stretch of the reservoir is

one of the most picturesque sites. Its natural

course is enjoyed by yachtsmen, sailboaters,

and windsurfers. The Włocławek Reservoir

hosts boat races, which

are a perfect opportunity

for sporting competitions.

Travelling on the local wa-

terways, in the area of the

city, we can notice that

Włocławek is a very green

city. It is surrounded by

woods, scarps of the Kulin

Reserve, and big-city chim-

neys, in which migrating

falcons live.

Tourists are charmed by the

greenery of the historical

Henryk Sienkiewicz Muni-

cipal Park and beautiful flower beds. The city

borders the Gostynin-Włocławek Landscape

Park and a host of lakes, including Lake Ra-

kutowskie, recognized as a European water-

fowl sanctuary.

More information:

Włocławek Tourist Information

ul. Warszawska 11/13, 87-800 Włocławek

tel. +48 54 411 27 57

www.it.wloclawek.pl

Cathedral of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Włocławek

163

| Kujawsko-Pomorskie VoivodeshipBydgoszcz environs

164

Jan Kochanowski Park

165

INFORMACJEPRAKTYCZNEPractical Information

Practical Information

166

Tourist Information

167

Where to sleep?

168

Where to eat?172

Pubs/Clubs178

Entertainment180

For children182

Tourist equipment rentals184

Shopping186

Tour operators

188

167

Bydgoszcz Information Centre

2 Batorego St.

85-104 Bydgoszcz

tel. + 48 52 340 45 50

www.visitbydgoszcz.pl

[email protected]

Tourist Information

Practical Information | Tourist Information

Tourist Information is the place where

we can start our adventure with Bydgoszcz. It

offers guides, books and souvenirs to tourists.

It provides information and offers bikes for

hire. There are colouring books with images

of Bydgoszcz and games for children.

Tourist equipment rentals184

During the summer season, there is also a

seasonal tourist information centre in the

old tram at 43 Długa Street.

Historical tram in Długa Street.

Mon. Tue. Wed. Thurs. Fri. Sat. Sun.Sept.-May

9-18 9-18 9-18 9-18 9-18 10-16 10-16

Mon. Tue. Wed. Thurs. Fri. Sat. Sun.June-Aug.

9-19 9-19 9-19 9-19 9-19 10-16 10-16

168

Bohema Hotel***** 9 Konarskiego St.

tel. +48 52 560 06 02, www.hotelbohema.pl10 min

10 min

City Hotel**** 6 3 Maja St.

tel. +48 52 325 25 00, www.city-hotel.pl

5 min

Holiday Inn**** 36 Grodzka St.

tel.+48 52 347 70 00, www.holiday.hgb.com.pl

Słoneczny Młyn Hotel**** 96 Jagiellońska St.

tel. +48 52 561 31 00, www.sloneczny.eu

30 min

7 min

Hotel Pod Orłem (Under the Eagle Hotel)**** 13 Gdańska St., tel. +48 52 583 05 30, www.hotelpodorlem.pl

20 min

Brda Hotel*** 94 Dworcowa St.

tel. +48 52 585 01 00, www.hotelbrda.com.pl

/

20 min

Campanile Hotel*** 59 Jagiellońska St.

tel. +48 52 586 20 00,

www.campanile-bydgoszcz.pl

15 min

Kuźnia Hotel*** 67 Gdańska St.

tel. +48 52 345 71 43, www.klubkuznia.pl

/

Where to sleep?

There are many places of accommodation

in Bydgoszcz. The city offers many lodging

opportunities, starting from five-star hotels,

through small hotels and suites, to guestho-

uses.

Room in the Bohema Hotel

169

Pozyton Hotel*** 2 I. Romanowskiej St.

tel. +48 52 329 05 00, www.hotelpozyton.eu

15 min

Agat & Spa Hotel** 17 Nad Torem St.

tel. +48 52 327 70 66, www.agat.bydgoszcz.pl

45 min

Akor Hotel** 1 Ludwikowo Str.

tel.+48 52 518 50 20, www.akorhotel.eu

35 min

Park Hotel*** 3 Wrocławska St.

tel. +48 52 376 36 26

www.parkhotel.bydgoszcz.pl

25 min/

40 min

Maraton Hotel*** 13 Powstańców Warszawy St.

tel. +48 52 341 12 11, www.hotelmaraton.pl

Pałac Hotel***10 Konna St.

tel. +48 52 328 00 12, www.palac.com.pl

50 min

15 min

Amelia Hotel** 1 Energetyczna St.

tel. +48 52 372 85 94, www.hotel-amelia.pl

10 min

Chemik Hotel** 48 Wojska Polskiego St.

tel. +48 52 374 89 13, www.hotel-chemik.pl

7 min

Elda Hotel** 26 Fordońska St.

tel. + 48 52 342 98 55, www.hotelelda.pl

40 min

Focus Hotel** 1 Modrzewiowa St.

tel. +48 52 340 17 66, www.hotelfocus.com.pl

10 min

Hawana Hotel** 29 Boczna St.

tel. +48 52 342 29 41, www.hotelhawana.pl

Ikar Hotel** 32 Szubińska St.

tel. +48 52 366 80 00, www.hotel-ikar.pl

8 min

45 min

Logan Hotel** 8b Siedlecka St.

tel.+48 52 327 84 01, www.hotel-logan.com.pl

30 min

Pegaz Hotel** 10a M. Skłodowskiej-Curie St.

tel.+48 52 341 51 15,

www.pegaz.bydgoszcz.pl

Practical Information | Where to sleep?

170

Pomorski Hotel** 112 Fordońska St.

tel. +48 52 375 85 45, www.hotelpomorski.pl

10 min

Ratuszowy Hotel** 37 Długa St.

tel. +48 52 339 84 00,

www.hotelratuszowy.com.pl

2 min

Zawisza Hotel** 163 Gdańska St.

tel. +48 52 588 09 00, www.hotel-zawisza.pl

40 min

School Youth Shelter

5 Sowińskiego St.

tel. +48 52 322 75 70, www.ssm.bydgoszcz.pl

25 min

Hostel in Gdańska Street 42 Gdańska St.

tel. +48 519 177 668, [email protected]

15 min

Merlin Hostel 7 Zygmunta Augusta St.

tel. +48 52 518 30 20, www.hostelmerlin.pl

20 min

Hostel24 35a Lelewela St.

Tel. +48 52 346 78 35

30 min

5 min

Marina Bydgoszcz 2 Tamka St.

tel. +48 52 58 59 601

www.przystanbydgoszcz.pl

15 min

Dream of Bydgoszcz (Apartments)

13 Dworcowa St., tel. +48 505 438 484

www.dreamofbydgoszcz.com

40 min

Błonie Apartment 4/50 St. Okrzei St.

tel. +48 516 630 188

www.apartamentblonie.pl

15 min

Rooms in Bydgoszcz 5 Sanatoryjna St.

tel. +48 515 111 949

www.pokoje-bydgoszcz.pl

Villa Secesja 18 Gdańska St.

tel. +48 52 376 42 30, www.villasecesja.pl

7 min

/

PTTK Bydgoszcz Janowo Water Hostel

8 Biwakowa St., tel. +48 52 321 50 00

www.pttk.bydgoszcz.pl

20 min

171

Practical Information | Where to sleep?

10 min

Zatoka Restaurant 6a Floriana St.

tel. +48 52 322 12 23

www.zatoka.bydgoszcz.pl

30 min

Rooms with bathrooms “Orbi”

17 Wczasowa St., tel. +48 602 740 584

RV camping sites:

Student dormitories:

15 min

Fordon, 12-14 Kaliskiego St.

tel. +48 52 340 87 92, www.utp.edu.pl

27 min

Błonie 9-9a Koszarowa St.

tel. +48 52 374 90 91, www.utp.edu.pl

5 km

Kamper Park Bydgoszcz 79 Żeglarska St.

tel. +48 501 340 669, www.kamperpark.pl

Folwark Kujawski 155 Toruńska St.

tel. +48 669 323 033

www.splywy.bydgoszcz.pl7 km

KS Gwiazda 45 Bronikowskiego St.

tel. +48 52 379 78 01

4 km

Room in Marina Bydgoszcz

172

Where to eat?

During your sightseeing, we invite you to

take advantage of the dining offer prepared

by Bydgoszcz chefs, who enjoy showing off

their culinary skills. Bydgoszcz restaurants

offer cuisine from all over the world, including

regional delicacies and alcoholic beverages.

Below, please find our list of restaurants

offering the best food in the city centre.

Polish food:

1921,14 Gdańska St.

tel. +48 52 583 06 01

www.restauracja1921.pl

Gościniec Soplica, 181 Gdańska St.

tel. +48 52 328 06 21

www.gosciniecsoplica.pl

Karczma Młyńska, 1 Mennica St.

tel. +48 52 345 57 86

www.karczmamlynska.com.pl

Kummerówka, 14 Konna St

tel. +48 503 161 264

www.karczmabydgoszcz.pl

Meluzyna, 50 Gdańska St.

tel. +48 52 327 42 05

www.restauracjameluzyna.pl

Ogniem i Mieczem, 22 Ogińskiego St.

tel. +48 52 341 41 26

www.ogniemimieczem.com

Oranżeria (Villa Secesja), 18 Gdańska St.

tel. +48 52 376 42 30, www.villasecesja.pl

Przy IV Śluzie (Park Hotel), 3 Wrocławska St.

tel. +48 52 376 36 26

Pyszni i Szybcy, 15 Dworcowa St.

tel. +48 600 851 166

Stary Port, 13 Stary Port St.

tel. +48 52 321 62 08, www.staryport13.pl

173

Practical Information | Where to eat?

3V6 (Hotel City), 6 3 Maja St.

tel. +48 52 325 25 22

A nóż widelec, 5 Wolności Sq.

tel. +48 781 982 616

Bar Tekla, 55 Gdańska St.

Tel. +48 52 321 04 71, www.tekla.com.pl

Za Piecem, 3 Mostowa St.

tel.+48 52 320 65 07, www.zapiecem.pl

Zatoka, 6a Floriana St.

tel. +48 52 322 12 23

www.zatoka.bydgoszcz.pl

Dairy bars:Bar Mleczny Dworcowy, 75 Dworcowa St.

tel. +48 52 324 93 23

Familijny, 12 Dworcowa St.

tel. +48 52 322 07 49

Kujavia, 35 Długa St.

tel. +48 52 320 32 26

www.restauracja-kujavia.pl

Witrażowa, 34 Długa St.

tel. +48 52 328 78 12

European cuisine:

Dumpling and pancake houses:Manekin (pancake restaurant), 14 Focha St.

tel. +48 52 349 39 76

www.manekin.pl

Pod Aniołami (dumpling house),

50 Pomorska St., tel. +48 52 349 57 57

www.pierogarnia-pod-aniolami.pl

Stolnica Kujawska (dumpling house)

5 Grudziądzka St., tel. +48 52 341 20 58

www.stolnicakujawska.pl

Ten Tego 15 Podwale St.

tel. +48 52 320 86 62

174

Bolero (Holiday Inn), 36 Grodzka St.

tel. +48 52 347 70 33

Czarny Diament, 9 Konarskiego St.

dinner in the dark, reservation required

tel. +48 52 560 06 02, www.hotelbohema.pl

Jadłodajnia Mózg, 2 Parkowa St.

tel. +48 517 949 427

Kuchnia, 4 Grodzka St.

tel. +48 52 321 22 22

www.restauracjakuchnia.com.pl

Katarynka, 3 Niedźwiedzia St.

tel. +48 52 320 30 95

www.katarynkabydgoszcz.pl

Kukuryku, 16 Jezuicka Str.

tel. +48 52 551 30 70

Maestra, 5 Focha St.

Tel. +48 52 325 16 51

www.restauracjamaestra.pl

Na Piętrze, 3 Kręta St.

tel. +48 52 322 15 74, www.na-pietrze.pl

Oranżeria Restauracja, 3 Jana Kazimierza St.

tel. +48 52 322 72 27

www.restauracjaoranzeria.pl

Pod Papugami, 1 Stanisława Staszica St.

tel. +48 52 320 37 29, www.podpapugami.pl

Sowa, 4 Mostowa St. tel. +48 52 33 90 800

www.sowa-restauracja.pl

Tramway, 7 Józefa Weyssenhoffa Sq.

tel. +48 788 896 039

www.tramway.bydgoszcz.pl

Villa Calvados, 3 Piotra Skargi St.

tel. +48 608 190 849

www.villacalvados-bydgoszcz.pl

Warzelnia Piwa, 8 Poznańska St.

tel. +48 517 762 197, www.warzelniapiwa.pl

Weranda, 9 Konarskiego St.

tel. +48 52 349 51 52

www.hotelbohema.pl

Italian food:

Dolce Vita

2 Podwale St., tel. +48 52 321 57 57

1 Fredry St., tel. +48 52 321 21 21

www.dolcevita.in

175


Gregorio, 7 Gdańska St.

Tel. +48 52 331 00 00

www.restauracjagregorio.pl

La Vista, 18 Gdańska St.

tel. +48 52 376 42 30

www.villasecesja.pl

Papa Grande, 63 Długa St.

tel. +48 52 52 44 800

www.papagrande.pl

Pizzeria Capri, 11 Niedźwiedzia St.

Tel. +48 52 322 49 81

www.capribydgoszcz.pl

Pizzeria Soprano, 6 Dworcowa St.

Tel. +48 52 366 00 55

www.soprano.bydgoszcz.pl

Ristorante del Mercato, 15-21 Stary Rynek St.

tel. +48 881 938 835

www.delmercato.pl

Japanese food:

Asian food:

Kurkuma Sushi & Fusion Restaurant

1 Jagiellońska St.

tel. +48 52 321 01 70, www.kurkuma.pl

Nobo Sushi, 84 Jagiellońska St.

tel. +48 723 614 389, www.nobosushi.pl

Sushi Garden, 76 Toruńska St.

tel. +48 52 342 12 20, www.sushi-garden.pl

Divali (Brew House), 8 Poznańska St.


Kuchnia Orientalna, 62 Długa St.

tel. +48 52 385 85 54

www.saigon.bydgoszcz.pl

Lotos, 109 Gdańska St.

tel. +48 52 345 47 98, www.lotosbydgoszcz.pl

176

Rong Vang, 30 Jagiellońska St.

tel. +48 52 345 42 36

www.rongvang.com.pl

Ru Ba Ru, 27 Długa St.

tel. +48 796 100 801

www.rubaru.pl

Near East food:

Baalbek, 1 Magdzińskiego St.

tel. +48 52 349 35 18

www.baalbek.pl

Sphinx, 18 Magdzińskiego St.

tel. +48 52 321 54 48

www.sphinx.pl

Greek food: Greco, 12 Grodzka St.

tel. +48 52 324 39 37

www.grecja.pl

Pireus, 208 Gdańska St.

tel. +48 52 371 09 84

www.pireus.com.pl

52 City Diner, 24 Gdańska St.

tel. +48 52 524 45 24

www.52city.pl

Burger Park, 6 Gimnazjalna St.

tel. +48 730 357 940

Mexico City, 8 Gimnazjalna St.

tel. +48 506 277 108

Mexican food:

American food:

177


CAFESBeyrouth, 22 Dworcowa St.

tel. +48 52 385 80 15, www.beyrouthcafe.pl

Costa, 39-47 Jagiellońska St. (Focus Mall)

tel. +48 662 207 624, www.costacoffe.pl

Cafe Kino, 32 Długa St.

tel. +48 607 671 643, www.cafekino.pl

Coffe Heven, 1 Jagiellońska St.

(Drukarnia Fashion House)

tel. +48 52 332 92 77, www.costacoffee.pl

Asia Tea Room, 7 Wełniany Rynek St.

tel. +48 52 348 70 93

www.herbaciarnia.e-lider.pl

Landshaft, 6 Gimnazjalna St.

tel. +48 503 952 334, www.lanshaft.pl

“Choco” Chocolate House

7/2 Wełniany Rynek St.

tel. +48 797 350 386, www.choco.e-lider.pl

Reggio Emilia, 1b Mostowa St.

tel. +48 52 585 14 44

Sowa

5 Mostowa St., tel. +48 693 994 439

65 Gdańska St., tel. +48 52 322 83 18

39 Jagiellońska St. (Focus Mall)

www.cukierniasowa.pl

Strefa, 11 Długa St.

tel. +48 796 956 956

www.strefabydgoszcz.com.pl

Stara Szuflada, 10 Magdzińskiego St.

tel. +48 667 960 251, www.stara-szuflada.com

Zapałka Coffee, 33 Długa St.

tel. +48 603 942 578

Zetka, 29 Gdańska St.

tel. +48 52 321 10 51

In addition to the places recommended by us,

there is a myriad of other fast food restaurants

and cafes.

178

Pubs/Clubs

The number of pubs has been incre-

asing in the city. In the area of the Old Town

and city centre there are a dozen or so pubs

which offer not only beer, but also intere-

sting, unique music and the opportunity of

making friends with the locals.

1138, 11 Wełniany Rynek St.

tel. +48 796 697 111

Amsterdam, 16 Stary Rynek St.

tel. +48 888 719 719, www.amsterdam-pub.com.pl

Awangarda, 21 Stary Port St.

tel. +48 602 480 760, www.klubawangarda.pl

Barka, Solny Sq.

tel. +48 52 321 31 28

Barka Melody, 57/59 Toruńska St.

tel. +48 602 610 156

Browar, 9 Długa St.

tel. +48 52 348 63 49

Cytadela, 14 Stary Rynek St.

tel. +48 888 719 719, www.amsterdam-pub.com.pl

The One, 15 Gdańska St.

tel. +48 607 671 643, www.musicfashion.pl

Eljazz, 3 Kręta St.

tel. +48 52 322 15 74, www.eljazz.com.pl

Estrada Stage Bar, 51 Dworcowa St.

tel. +48 510 193 810, www.estrada.bydgoszcz.pl

Jack, 65 Długa St.

tel. +48 52 372 98 81, www.kredenspub.pl

Kancelaria, 32 Długa St

tel. +48 607 671 643

Kubryk, 3 Podwale St.

tel. +48 52 321 27 01, www.pubkubryk.pl

Kuźnia, 67 Gdańska St.

tel. +48 52 321 31 70, www.klubkuznia.pl

London Pub, 14/16 Długa St.

tel. +48 52 321 00 69

Mango, 9 Długa Str.

tel. +48 604 899 520

Merlin, 4 Zaułek St.

tel. +48 52 322 87 70

Metro, 62 Długa St.

tel. +48 799 335 906, www.metrobydgoszcz.pl

179

Practical Information | Pubs/Clubs

Moralist, 20 Zygmunta Augusta St.

tel. +48 601 911 315, www.moralist.pl

Mózg,10 Gdańska St.

tel. +48 52 345 51 95, www.mozg.art.pl

Olimpic Bowling Center, 59 Toruńska St.

tel. +48 52 328 90 50

www.olimpicbc.pl

Parnasik, 2 Parkowa St.

Piwiarnia Warka Bydgoszcz

10 Wełniany Sq., tel. +48 52 515 40 00

PRL, 5 Stary Rynek St.

tel. +48 692 130 280, www.pubprl.pl

Red, 73 Dworcowa St.,

tel. +48 697 58 38 58, www.red.bydgoszcz.home.pl

River Side Bydgoszcz (seasonal)

8 Poznańska St.,


Sailing Club, 8 Podwale St.

tel. +48 510 949 296

www.turystykawodna.pl

Savoy, 2 Jagiellońska St.

tel. +48 52 349 31 86, www.savoy.pl

Shisha Ramzes, 12 Magdzińskiego St.

tel. +48 880 156 844

Shot, 36 Długa St.

tel. +48 796 704 885

Soda, 4 Mostowa St.

tel. +48 52 339 08 01

Stara Babcia, 2 Wełniany Sq.

tel. +48 668 430 995, www.kredenspub.pl

Śledź, 14 Magdzińskiego St.

tel. +48 791 198 920

Trip, 22 St. Florian St.

tel. +48 52 349 38 22, www.trip.bydgoszcz.pl

Warzelnia Piwa, 8 Poznańska St.


Węgliszek,1 Batorego St.

tel. +48 52 322 66 73

Wiatrakowa, 6 Zbożowy Sq.

tel. +48 666 601 389

Widzimisie, 5 1/2 Kościeleckich Sq.

tel. +48 609 109 248

Zamek, 24 Długa St.

tel. +48 729 532 768

180

CINEMAS:Multikino, 48 Focha St.

tel. +48 52 568 43 10, www.multikino.pl

Helios Bydgoszcz, 141 Fordońska St

tel. +48 52 581 00 53, www.helios.pl

Orzeł Cinema, 12-14 Marcinkowskiego St.

tel. +48 52 32 55 540, www.kino-orzel.pl

Adria Cinema & Theatre, 30 Toruńska St.

tel. +48 52 371 27 39, www.kinoadria.pl

Cinema City Bydgoszcz, 39-47 Jagiellońska St.

tel. +48 52 554 37 77, www.cinema-city.pl

Cinema Jeremi, 13 Gen. Z. Berlinga St.

Sports Championship Group of Schools No. 5

Climbing walls:“Spider” Climbing Center

8 Świecka St. (access road from Racławicka

Street), tel. +48 698 860 550

Boulder A5, 12/8 Jagiellońska St. (intercom 8)

tel. +48 692 352 335, www.a5.bydgoszcz.pl

OSTRY Sport Climbing Wall

246 Fordońska St., tel. +48 792 025 891

www.wspinanie-bydgoszcz.pl

Entertainment

It’s hard to get bored in Bydgoszcz. For those

who finished their sightseeing, the city offers

a lot of other attractions. There is a host of

activities to get involved in both summer

and winter. Those who enjoy outdoor ac-

tivities are invited to Myślęcinek; in winter

– the ski slope and skating rink; in summer

– wakepark, horse stable, beach – to name

but a few. Adventure seekers won’t be disap-

pointed either – aeroclub, laserfight, paint-

ball, and climbing walls are places that await

them. In the evening, we invite you to one

of the many local clubs. They resonate with

jazz, shanties, and club music, but there are

also places for those who like sung poetry

and alternative music.

181

Practical Information | Entertainment

OTHER:Bydgoszcz Aeroclub, 28d Biedaszkowo St.

tel. +48 52 373 26 68,

www.aeroklubbydgoski.pl

Alpen-Paintpall, 11 Alpejska St.

tel. +48 608 310 446, www.alpen-paintball.pl

Broadway Bowling & Club

45 Pułaskiego St. tel. +48 52 320 97 22,

www.broadwayclub.eu

Bydgoszcz Kartodrom (kart circuit),

116 Fordońska St., tel. +48 693 529 989,

www.pzm.pl

Olimpic Bowling Center

59 Toruńska St., tel. +48 52 328 90 50,

www.olimpicbc.pl

LaserFight, 100 Dworcowa St.

tel. +48 530 500 412, www.laserfight.pl

Maximus (pool room)

25 Warszawska St., tel. +48 52 330 05 96,

www.club-maximus.pl

Horse Recreation Center

85a Bora Komorowskiego St.,

tel. +48 603 198 594, www.konie.bydgoszcz.pl

Calisthenics Park, 2 Strzelecka St.

Racing Kamat Bydgoszcz, 101 Toruńska St.

(under Tesco), tel. +48 513 812 317

www.gokarty.bydgoszcz.pl

Skatepark – outdoor, Unii Lubelskiej St. by

the Boulevard on the River Brda

Victoria Stable,

54 Ks. A. Szamarzewskiego St.

tel. +48 694 581 633, www.stajniavictoria.com

Myślęcinek:Winter Sports Centre

+48 52 328 00 09 www.myslecinek.pl

seasonal, depends on the weather,

11:00 – 19:00

Horse Recreation Centre

10 Konna St., tel. +48 724 560 016

www.rekreacja.konna.pod.aniolami.pl

Paintball Planet

tel. +48 796 752 638, www.paintball-planet.pl

Wakepark, tel. +48 888 315 888,

www.wakeparkbydgoszcz.pl

Golf Course, tel.+48 507 113 651

Skatepark – indoor, +48 607 087 760,

www.myslecinek.pl

Wakepark in Myślęcinek

182

Playgrounds: Â Magic playground, Magic Chair and

the Beach on Mill Island

Â Playground in Jan Kochanowski Park

Â Playground at the Bydgoszcz Canal

Â Playground in Witos Park

Â Playground near the Municipal Lock

Miniature Model of Bydgoszcz Castle

Model made of mini bricks. Along with

a description, it can be admired at 19-21

Grodzka Street, near the mBank office block

(former BRE Bank).

Old Town Miniature model of Bydgoszcz

Miniature model of Bydgoszcz showing the

city’s appearance in the 17th century. The

model is located at the amphitheatre at

Mostowa Street.

Silhouette of Master Twardowski

It appears every day in the window of

tenement house no. 15 in the Old Market

Square at 1:13 am and 9:13 pm.

Children are welcome in many intere-

sting places in Bydgoszcz. There are special

attractions for them where they can enjoy

themselves. The offer includes many creati-

ve activities. Playgrounds and playrooms are

perfect places for playful kiddies. Learning

through play is a motto of many institutions.

For children

Old tram

in Długa Street, open in the summer season

as a tourist information centre

Activities for children

The Bydgoszcz Information Centre offers

books with routes and puzzles for children,

including Master Twardowski’s Code and the

Archer Lady’s Arrow.

The Soap and History of Dirt Museum

13 Długa St., tel. +48 52 515 70 15,

www.muzeummydla.pl (p. 63)

“Motylek” Child Development Academy

16/1 20 Stycznia 1920 St.

tel. +48 506 972 810, www.akademia-motylek.pl

183

Practical Information | For children

Tiny Tot Child Academy, 1c Gackowskiego

St. tel. +48 795 434 558

www.akademiaszkraba.pl

Family Park

246 Fordońska St.

tel. +48 52 321 69 55, www.familypark.pl

Dinusiowo, 28 Marii Konopnickiej St.

(blue pavilion, second floor)

tel. +48 606 206 484

www.dinusiowo.bydgoszcz.pl

REGNUM Education and Culture House

12 A.G. Siedleckiego St. (building of Non-

Public Kindergarten “Przedszkolna Chatka”),

3 Bośniacka St. (building of Elementary

School no. 56)

tel. 52 371 10 51, 793 101 280

www.nowe-pokolenie.pl

Creative Education Foundation

16/1 Kordeckiego St., tel. +48 52 345 81 76

www.fundacjakreatywnejedukacji.org

BABY LAND Play and Education Nook

16/47 Gałczyńskiego St.

tel. +48 886 016 374

www.babyland.bydgoszcz.pl

Kids Play, 140 Fordońska St.

tel. +48 666 33 60 20

www.kidsplay.bydgoszcz.pl

Magic Fun

115 Aleja Jana Pawła II St. (Glinki Shopping

Centre), tel. +48 502 784 043

“Tree House” Playroom

12 Matejki St., tel. +48 501 696 244

www.domeknadrzewie.bydgoszcz.pl

THE ISLAND – Centre for Support of Child

Development, 9 Rupniewskiego St.

tel. +48 52 524 31 73

www.wyspa.bydgoszcz.pl

MyślęcinekRope Park

173-175 Gdańska St.

tel. +48 664131682

www.parklinowy.bydgoszcz.pl

Amusement Park – The Lost World,

Macroworld, Paleontological Museum

173-175 Gdańska St.

tel. +48 664131682, www.myslecinek.pl

ZOO

(with aquarium, terrarium and mini ZOO)

173 Gdańska St.,

tel. +48 52 328 00 08 int. 39

www.zoo.bydgoszcz.com

Magic Chair at the playground on Mill Island

184

Tourist equipment rentals

Bydgoszcz Information Centre

2 Batorego St., tel. +48 52 340 45 50

Prices: 3 PLN/h, 40 PLN/24h

Deposit: 100 PLN for a bike

ID required

(ID or passport)

Take a look at Bydgoszcz from a

different perspective. From a bike – not only

the traditional, from a pedal boat, kayak, or

dragon boat – the city will certainly look

different.

“Sawmax” Bikes and Rolls Rental Office

tel. +48 607 087 760

Myślęcinek – in front of the entrance to the

Skatepark, at the pedestrian street heading

to the ZOO

Opening hours:

Monday-Friday: 14:00-20:00

Saturday - Sunday: 12:00-20:00

Price list:

- Dutch-type traditional bicycle:

6 PLN /h, 35 PLN/day

- 4-person family bicycle: 20 PLN/h

- 2-person go-kart: 12 PLN/h

- 1-person bicycle – go-kart: 10 PLN/h

- Adjustable rollerblades: 6 PLN/h

- body protectors – pads: 2 PLN/h

two documents required, which will

be copied and returned

City Rent a Bike Hotel City, 6 3 Maja St

tel. + 48 52 325 25 00

Prices: 6 PLN/h, 36 PLN/12h, deposit:100 PLN

Prices for hotel guests: 3 PLN/h, 24 PLN/12h

two photo IDs are required

Bydgoszcz Marina , 2 Tamka St.

tel. +48 52 58 59 601

Opening hours:


Weekends: 12:00-19:00

July-August


Saturday: 11:00-20:00

Sunday: 11:00-19:00

Mon. Tue. Wed. Thurs. Fri. Sat. Sun.Sept.-May

9-18 9-18 9-18 9-18 9-18 10-16 10-16

Mon. Tue. Wed. Thurs. Fri. Sat. Sun.June-Aug.

9-19 9-19 9-19 9-19 9-19 10-16 10-16

185

Price list:

- 1 person kayak:

10 PLN first hour, next hour 8 PLN

- 2-person kayak:

12 PLN first hour, next hour 0 PLN

- 3-person canoe:

15 PLN first hour, next hour10 PLN

- 4-person rowing boat:

20 PLN first hour, next hour18 PLN

- Dragon boats:150 PLN/hour + steersman

- 3-person Coxswain -15 PLN/h

- pedal boats / motorized- 30 min 50 PLN,

1h- 85 PLN

- pedal boats - 30 min - 30 PLN, 1h - 50 PLN

KS Gwiazda Sports Club

45 Bronikowskiego St., tel.+48 52 3797801

Open in the summer season

(May - September)

Price list:

- Rowing boat:100 PLN/h + steersman

- Pedal boat:10 PLN/h or 25 PLN/24h

Stanica Wodna PTTK Janowo

8 Biwakowa St.

tel. +48 52 321 50 00 lub +48 609 757 995

Price list:

- 2-person kayak, laminate:

8 PLN/h or 25 PLN/all day

- rowing boat:

10 PLN/h or 35 PLN/all day

- pedal boat:10 PLN/h

Kamper Park

79 Żeglarska St., tel. +48 501 340 669

Price list:

- pedal boat: 45 PLN/ 24h

- bicycle: 3 PLN/h

Folwark Kujawski

155 Toruńska St.

tel. +48 669 323 033

Price list:

- kayak: 30 PLN/24h

- pedal boat: 13 PLN/h

- Bicycle: 3 PLN/h

Practical Information | Tourist equipment rentals

The longest kayak in the world during the water festival “Set your Heading on Bydgoszcz”

186

Shopping

Shopping centres:RONDO Shopping Centre

1 Kruszwicka St.

tel.: +48 52 326 36 54, www.chrondo.pl

Monday-Saturday: 8:00-22:00

Sunday: 9:00-21:00

Focus Mall Bydgoszcz

39-47 Jagiellońska St.

tel. +48 52 554 35 00

www.focusmall-bydgoszcz.pl

Monday-Sunday: 9:00-21:00

Cinema City Monday-Sunday: 9:30-22:45

Pomorska Shopping Centre

141 Fordońska St.

www.galeriapomorska.pl


Sunday: 10:00-20:00

Auchan Bydgoszcz

3 Mariana Rejewskiego St.

tel. +48 52 323 86 44

www.auchanbydgoszcz.pl


Sunday: 9:30-20:00

Recognized international brands have

their stores in Bydgoszcz. A walk on old

trade routes – such as Gdańska, Długa and

Dworcowa – is a perfect opportunity to

combine shopping with sightseeing. There is

something for everyone looking for unique

souvenirs. Antique shops hide real treasures,

while art galleries offer artworks made by

Bydgoszcz artists for sale.

Tesco

101 Toruńska St.

tel. +48 52 375 78 00

www.tesco.pl

24/7

Drukarnia Fashion House

1 Jagiellońska St.

tel. +48 52 321 38 08

www.drukarniadommody.pl


Sunday: 10:00-21:00

Glinki Shopping Centre

115 Jana Pawła Av.

tel. +48 52 375 74 07

www.galeriaglinki.pl


Sunday: 10:00-20:00

BATORY Retail Park

1B Fabryczna St.

tel. +48 58 661 75 58

www.batory.com.pl


Sunday: 9:00-21:00

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Practical Information | Shopping

Souvenirs and handicrafts:Bydgoszcz Information Centre

2 Batorego St., tel. +48 52 340 45 50

Gosia Travel, 15 Długa St.

tel. +48 52 345 65 59

Cepelia, 17 Gdańska St.

tel. +48 52 322 17 28

Alix Gallery, 26 Jezuicka St.

tel. +48 52 322 25 39

Folk and Non-professional Art Gallery

18 Stary Rynek St.

tel. +48 52 322 22 36

Second-hand bookshops:Wiesław Dreas Scientific Antique Shop

3 Stary Rynek St.

tel. +48 52 322 19 7

www.ban-dreas.pl

Antique House, 42 Gdańska St.

tel. +48 52 322 38 86

Elibri Antique and Book Shop

5 Warszawska St.

tel. +48 608 209 777, www.antykwariat.org.pl

Julia Antique Shop, 2 Matejki St.

tel. +48 52 322 23 44, www.antykwariat-julia.pl

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Touroperators

Bydgoszcz is a city in which a pleasant

surprise awaits visitors behind every corner.

Interesting places can be seen during

self-guided tours or services offered by

professional guides. Tour organizers will show

the local must-sees and take tourists to all

the interesting places that are worth seeing.

Visite.pl Daria Kieraszewicz, 4/6 Batorego St.

Â guides

Â tours across Bydgoszcz

Â tours across the region

Â conference service

Â city games

tel. +48 52 521 47 96,

+48 607 566 388,

+48 609 185 352, www.visite.pl

PTTK Brda Trail, 1/I Sienkiewicza St.

Â guides

Â tours across Bydgoszcz

Â organization of kayak trips

tel. +48 322 35 89,

+48 501 598 502, www.pttk.bydgoszcz.pl

Uranos, Robert Bazela


tel. +48 669 323 033

www.splywy.bydgoszcz.pl

Activitas, Barbara Galińska


tel. +48 607 590 350, www.acyivitas.com.pl

Bydgoszcz Kayaks


tel. +48 790 224 226

www.bydgoskiekajaki.pl

PTU “Wiking”, Grzegorz Piłat


88/3-4 Smoleńska St.

tel. +48 608 477 748

www.kajaki.net.pl

189

Practical Information | Tourist Attractions:

190

For more information visit: www.visitbydgoszcz.pl

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Old Market Square

Mill Island - Museum Island

Children Playing with Goose Fountain

Mostowa Street

18th Meridian

Master Twardowski

Museum of Soap and History of Dirt

Town walls

Man Crossing the River

Church of Poor Clares

Bydgoszcz Cathedral

Bydgoszcz Venice

Casimir the Great Statue

Granaries - Leon Wyczółkowski District Museum

Main Post Office

City Hall

Water Tower

Water Tram

Covered Market

Lloyd Palace

Bydgoszcz Canal

1

9

9

5

13

18

3

11

7

15

20

2

2

10

6

6

14

14

19

4

4

12

17

8

16

21

Tourist Attractions:

”Starofarny” Cemetery22

12

Practical Information | Tourist Attractions

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Head Office of Radio PiK

1 Plac Wolności Street

Archer Lady Statue

Wolności Square

Andrzej Szwalbe Statue

Saint Vincent á Paulo Basilica

Sielanka District

Pod Orłem Hotel

Cieszkowskiego Street

Wincenty Witos Park

Botanical Garden

Deluge Fountain

Music District

Bench of Marian Rejewski

Myślęcinek Forest Park

30

26

34

24

32

28

36

23

31

27

35

25

25

33

33

29

37

17

21

15

193

Practical Information | Tourist Attractions

Bydgoszcz Guide

Documents

Transcript of Bydgoszcz Guide