Toruń landscape, Toruń, Kuyavian-Pomeranian, Poland, Europe
Toruń is an ancient city in northern Poland, on the Vistula River. Its population is 205,934 as of June 2009. Toruń is one of the oldest cities in Poland. The medieval old town of Toruń is the birthplace of the astronomer Nicolaus Copernicus. In 1997 the medieval part of the city was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. In 2007 the Old Town in Toruń was added to the list of Seven Wonders of Poland. National Geographic Polska rated the old town market and the Gothic town hall as one of the 30 Most Beautiful Places in the World. In 2010 Forbes magazine ranked Toruń as number one of the Polish Cities Attractive for Business. In 2009 it was listed as one of the Best Cities to Live in Poland, in a ranking published by Przekrój. Previously it was the capital of the Toruń Voivodeship (1975-98) and the Pomeranian Voivodeship (1921-45). Since 1999, Toruń has been a seat of the self-government of the Kujawy-Pomerania Province and, as such, is one of its two capitals (together with Bydgoszcz). The cities and neighboring counties form the Bydgoszcz-Toruń twin city metropolitan area. In September 2004, Bydgoszcz Medical School joined Toruń's Nicolaus Copernicus University as its Collegium Medicum. The current Mayor of Toruń is Mr. Michał Zaleski. Toruń has two drama theatres (Teatr im. Wilama Horzycy with three stages and Teatr Wiczy), two children's theatres (Baj Pomorski and Zaczarowany Świat), two music theatres (Mała Rewia, Studencki Teatr Tańca), and numerous other theatre groups. The city hosts, among others events, the international theatre festival, Kontakt, annually in May A building called Baj Pomorski has recently been completely reconstructed. It is now one of the most modern cultural facilities in the city, with its front elevation in the shape of a gigantic chest of drawers. It is located at the south-east edge of the Old Town. Toruń has a number of cinemas including a Cinema City, which has over 2,000 seats. Over ten major museums document the history of Toruń and the region. Among others, the House of Kopernik and the accompanying museum commemorate Nicolaus Copernicus and his revolutionary work, the university museum reveals the history of the city's academic past. The Centre of Contemporary Art (Centrum Sztuki Współczesnej - CSW) opened in June 2008 and is one of the most important cultural facilities of this kind in Poland. The modern building is located in the very centre of the city, adjacent to the Old Town. The Toruń Symphonic Orchestra (formerly the Toruń Chamber Orchestra) is well-rooted in the Toruń cultural landscape. Toruń is equipped with a planetarium (located downtown) and an astronomical observatory (located in nearby community of Piwnice). The latter boasts the largest radio telescope in the Eastern part of Central Europe with a diameter of 32 m (104.99 ft), second only to the Effelsberg 100 m (328.08 ft) radio telescope. Toruń is well known for Toruń gingerbread, a type of pierniki often made in elaborate moulds. Muzeum Piernika in Toruń is the only museum dedicated to gingerbread in Europe.
Toruń, Kuyavian-Pomeranian, Poland, Europe
Toruń is an ancient city in northern Poland, on the Vistula River. Its population is 205,934 as of June 2009. Toruń is one of the oldest cities in Poland. The medieval old town of Toruń is the birthplace of the astronomer Nicolaus Copernicus. In 1997 the medieval part of the city was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. In 2007 the Old Town in Toruń was added to the list of Seven Wonders of Poland. National Geographic Polska rated the old town market and the Gothic town hall as one of the 30 Most Beautiful Places in the World. In 2010 Forbes magazine ranked Toruń as number one of the Polish Cities Attractive for Business. In 2009 it was listed as one of the Best Cities to Live in Poland, in a ranking published by Przekrój. Previously it was the capital of the Toruń Voivodeship (1975-98) and the Pomeranian Voivodeship (1921-45). Since 1999, Toruń has been a seat of the self-government of the Kujawy-Pomerania Province and, as such, is one of its two capitals (together with Bydgoszcz). The cities and neighboring counties form the Bydgoszcz-Toruń twin city metropolitan area. In September 2004, Bydgoszcz Medical School joined Toruń's Nicolaus Copernicus University as its Collegium Medicum. The current Mayor of Toruń is Mr. Michał Zaleski. Toruń has two drama theatres (Teatr im. Wilama Horzycy with three stages and Teatr Wiczy), two children's theatres (Baj Pomorski and Zaczarowany Świat), two music theatres (Mała Rewia, Studencki Teatr Tańca), and numerous other theatre groups. The city hosts, among others events, the international theatre festival, Kontakt, annually in May A building called Baj Pomorski has recently been completely reconstructed. It is now one of the most modern cultural facilities in the city, with its front elevation in the shape of a gigantic chest of drawers. It is located at the south-east edge of the Old Town. Toruń has a number of cinemas including a Cinema City, which has over 2,000 seats. Over ten major museums document the history of Toruń and the region. Among others, the House of Kopernik and the accompanying museum commemorate Nicolaus Copernicus and his revolutionary work, the university museum reveals the history of the city's academic past. The Centre of Contemporary Art (Centrum Sztuki Współczesnej - CSW) opened in June 2008 and is one of the most important cultural facilities of this kind in Poland. The modern building is located in the very centre of the city, adjacent to the Old Town. The Toruń Symphonic Orchestra (formerly the Toruń Chamber Orchestra) is well-rooted in the Toruń cultural landscape. Toruń is equipped with a planetarium (located downtown) and an astronomical observatory (located in nearby community of Piwnice). The latter boasts the largest radio telescope in the Eastern part of Central Europe with a diameter of 32 m (104.99 ft), second only to the Effelsberg 100 m (328.08 ft) radio telescope. Toruń is well known for Toruń gingerbread, a type of pierniki often made in elaborate moulds. Muzeum Piernika in Toruń is the only museum dedicated to gingerbread in Europe.
Szczecin, West Pomeranian, Poland, Europe
Szczecin is the capital city of the West Pomeranian Voivodeship in Poland. In the vicinity of the Baltic Sea, it is the country's seventh-largest city and a major seaport in Poland. As of June 2011 the population was 407,811. Szczecin is located on the Oder River, south of the Szczecin Lagoon and the Bay of Pomerania. The city is situated along the southwestern shore of Dąbie Lake, on both sides of the Oder and on several large islands between the western and eastern branches of the river. Szczecin borders with the town of Police. Area of Szczecin's Międzyodrze had changed during building of harbour. This area is covered by many islands (Dębina, Czarnołęka, Radolin, Mewia Wyspa, Gryfia, Ostrów Grabowski, Łasztownia, Kępa Parnicka, Ostrów Mieleński, Wielka Kępa, Mieleńska Łąka, Międzyodrze-Wyspa Pucka , Zaleskie Łęgi, Siedlińska Kępa, Klucki Ostrów, Sadlińskie Łąki and Czapli Ostrów). The city's beginnings were as an 8th-century Slavic Pomeranian stronghold, built at the site of today's castle. In the 12th century, when Szczecin had become one of Pomerania's main urban centres, it lost its independence to Piast Poland, Saxony, the Holy Roman Empire and Denmark. At the same time, the Griffin dynasty established themselves as local rulers, the population was converted to Christianity, and German settlers arrived. The native Slavic population was assimilated and sometimes discriminated against in the following centuries. In 1237/43, the town was built anew and granted vast autonomy rights, and it joined the Hanseatic League.
After the Treaty of Stettin (1630) the town came under Swedish control. It was fortified and remained a Swedish fortress until 1720, when it was acquired by the Kingdom of Prussia and became capital of the Province of Pomerania, which after 1870 was part of the German Empire. In the late 19th century, Stettin became an industrial town, and vastly increased in size and population, serving as a major port for Berlin. During the Nazi era, opposition groups were persecuted as were minorities such as the city's Jews and the few Poles living there. At the end of World War II Stettin's status was in doubt, and the Soviet occupation authorities at first appointed officials from the city's almost entirely German pre-war population. In July 1945, however, Polish authorities were permitted to take power. Stettin was renamed Szczecin and became part of the People's Republic of Poland, and from 1989 the Republic of Poland. After the flight and expulsion of the German population and Polish settlement, Szczecin became the administrative and industrial center of Polish Western Pomerania, the site of the University of Szczecin and Szczecin University of Technology, and the see of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Szczecin-Kamień. Szczecin was an important site of anti-communist unrest in the communist era. During the 1939 invasion of Poland, which started World War II in Europe, Stettin was the base for the German 2nd Motorized Infantry Division, which cut across the Polish Corridor and was later used in 1940 as an embarcation point for Operation Weserübung, Germany's assault on Denmark and Norway. On 15 October 1939, neighbouring municipalities were amalgamated into Stettin, creating Groß-Stettin with about 380,000 inhabitants in 1940. The city had become the third-largest German city by area, after Berlin and Hamburg. As the war started, the number of non-Germans in the city increased as slave workers were brought in. The first transports came in 1939 from Bydgoszcz, Toruń and Łódż. They were mainly used in a synthetic silk factory near Szczecin. The next wave of slave workers was brought in 1940, in addition to PoWs who were used for work in the agricultural industry. According to German police reports from 1940, 15,000 Polish slave workers lived within the city. During the war, 135 forced labour camps for slave workers were established in the city. Most of the 25,000 slave workers were Poles, but Czechs, Italians, Frenchmen and Belgians, as well as Dutch citizens, were also enslaved in the camps.
Wały Chrobrego, Szczecin, West Pomeranian, Poland, Europe
Waly Chrobrego is a terrace with a length of about 500 m in Szczecin on a slope along the Oder. The famous urban and architectural foundation co-creating, along with the Main Building of the National Museum in Szczecin, Pomeranian Dukes Castle and Cathedral Church. St. James Odra silhouette of the city, visible from the main access roads to the east running over bridges and overpasses. Designed and built according to the concept Wilhelm Meyer-Schwartau the years 1902-1921 at the initiative of Mayor Hermann Haken, in honor of whom it was originally named terrace. In 1873 began the demolition of the eighteenth-century fortifications Szczecin. The first concept of building land at the decommissioned Fort Leopold lofty bank of the river was established in 1876. From 1878 to 1907 held the office of Mayor of Szczecin Hermann Haken. Thanks to his great commitment of another concept was developed in 1894, and in 1901 it was decided to implement. In the years 1902-1907 was formed at the height of 19.3 m above sea level (19 m above the Western Oder), terrace, designed by urban Wilhelm Meyer-Schwartau. At the top of embankments along the Oder was the tree-lined walkway, ending at the edge of the semicircular squares. Just below them there are two symmetrical way downhill running down along the ground slopes toward the center of the foundation. The transverse axis boardwalk was built slightly lower semi-circular terrace, central rusticated supported by a retaining wall, flanked by two smaller terraces, on which rise pavilions, scenic, oval-shaped domes supported on Ionic columns. In the middle of the central terrace erected a stone sculpture of a man fighting with centaur carved by Ludwig Manzla. On the axis, the retaining wall dug a semicircular niche, included in the two projections on the sides, with niches for statues. At the foot of półkonchowe placed wells. This composition provides the backdrop for a vast fountain. The crown of the wall, the stone balustrade of the coats of arms of cities of Pomerania. Before the fountain was built two light towers stylized lighthouses. Complex combined with waterfront terraces Oder two flights of stairs running through curves along the retaining wall of the central terrace. In the years 1906-1912 in the northern part of the terrace was built and designed by Paul Kieschke architectural complex for contemporary Regency Szczecin, which now has its headquarters Provincial Office. In the center, the construction of the building of the Municipal Museum, designed by Wilhelm Meyer-Schwartau - now the National Museum in Szczecin. It was built from the wing of the Oder and side elevations. Construction stopped in 1913 - planned wing of the town ever built. Further south, the museum was built two buildings: in the years 1902-1905 the Social Security designed by Emil Drews and the Chief Directorate of Customs begun by K. Hinckledeyna, ending in the years 1918-1921 by Osterwolda. Plans were on the verge of never built the tower. Today, the two connected buildings are located Naval Academy. The museum extends in the direction of regular, rectangular square, with a complex of terraces, leveling the difference between the square and the upstream area of the city, on top of which there is a park with an irregular plan. In the center of the terrace was originally a monument of Emperor Frederick III. Currently, there stands the statue of Adam Mickiewicz concrete chisel Slawomir Lewinski, unveiled in 1960. Hakenterasse survived the war without major damage. The post-war interventions related primarily to the interior of buildings. Part of the building was adapted for the Museum of Contemporary Theatre, changed the final tower and liquidated corner pavilions on the roof. In the niches on either side of the fountain erected statue of John of Kolna and Wyszaka. Town names changed to Polish Western Pomerania. From the western side of the Naval Academy was built swimming pool and gym. In the basement of the northern slope adjacent pavilion and restaurant built into the Brave. At the edge of a wooden boardwalk buildings are located in Columbus and Colorado restaurants. After 1989, graying purified elevations of terraces, street lamps and the Main Building of the National Museum in Szczecin and the Regional Office and partially reconstructed ancient paintings Hallow in both buildings. Also restored terrace retaining wall plaque commemorating dedykacyjną Hermann Haken. The whole premise is one of the most interesting and monumental urban and architectural complexes of the early twentieth century in this part of Europe. In the center is the axial symmetrical composition combining central terrace building MuzeumMuzeum and town square. The buildings on the sides of the Museum have been less regular throws.
Old City Hall, Toruń, Kuyavian-Pomeranian, Poland, Europe
Toruń is an ancient city in northern Poland, on the Vistula River. Its population is 205,934 as of June 2009. Toruń is one of the oldest cities in Poland. The medieval old town of Toruń is the birthplace of the astronomer Nicolaus Copernicus. In 1997 the medieval part of the city was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. In 2007 the Old Town in Toruń was added to the list of Seven Wonders of Poland. National Geographic Polska rated the old town market and the Gothic town hall as one of the 30 Most Beautiful Places in the World. In 2010 Forbes magazine ranked Toruń as number one of the Polish Cities Attractive for Business. In 2009 it was listed as one of the Best Cities to Live in Poland, in a ranking published by Przekrój. Previously it was the capital of the Toruń Voivodeship (1975-98) and the Pomeranian Voivodeship (1921-45). Since 1999, Toruń has been a seat of the self-government of the Kujawy-Pomerania Province and, as such, is one of its two capitals (together with Bydgoszcz). The cities and neighboring counties form the Bydgoszcz-Toruń twin city metropolitan area. In September 2004, Bydgoszcz Medical School joined Toruń's Nicolaus Copernicus University as its Collegium Medicum. The current Mayor of Toruń is Mr. Michał Zaleski. Toruń has two drama theatres (Teatr im. Wilama Horzycy with three stages and Teatr Wiczy), two children's theatres (Baj Pomorski and Zaczarowany Świat), two music theatres (Mała Rewia, Studencki Teatr Tańca), and numerous other theatre groups. The city hosts, among others events, the international theatre festival, Kontakt, annually in May A building called Baj Pomorski has recently been completely reconstructed. It is now one of the most modern cultural facilities in the city, with its front elevation in the shape of a gigantic chest of drawers. It is located at the south-east edge of the Old Town. Toruń has a number of cinemas including a Cinema City, which has over 2,000 seats. Over ten major museums document the history of Toruń and the region. Among others, the House of Kopernik and the accompanying museum commemorate Nicolaus Copernicus and his revolutionary work, the university museum reveals the history of the city's academic past. The Centre of Contemporary Art (Centrum Sztuki Współczesnej - CSW) opened in June 2008 and is one of the most important cultural facilities of this kind in Poland. The modern building is located in the very centre of the city, adjacent to the Old Town. The Toruń Symphonic Orchestra (formerly the Toruń Chamber Orchestra) is well-rooted in the Toruń cultural landscape. Toruń is equipped with a planetarium (located downtown) and an astronomical observatory (located in nearby community of Piwnice). The latter boasts the largest radio telescope in the Eastern part of Central Europe with a diameter of 32 m (104.99 ft), second only to the Effelsberg 100 m (328.08 ft) radio telescope. Toruń is well known for Toruń gingerbread, a type of pierniki often made in elaborate moulds. Muzeum Piernika in Toruń is the only museum dedicated to gingerbread in Europe.
Warsaw Old Town Market Place, Warsaw, Masovian, Poland, Europe
Warsaw's Old Town Market Place is the center and oldest part of the Old Town of Warsaw, capital of Poland. Immediately after the Warsaw Uprising, it was systematically blown up by the German Army. After World War II, the Old Town Market Place was restored to its prewar appearance. The Old Town Market Place is the true heart of the Old Town, and until the end of the 18th century it was the heart of all of Warsaw. It originated in the late 13th century, at the same time that the city was founded. Here the representatives of guilds and merchants met in the town hall (built before 1429, pulled down in 1817), and fairs and the occasional execution were held. The houses around it represented the Gothic style until the great fire of 1607, after which they were rebuilt in late-Renaissance style and eventually in late-Baroque style by Tylman Gamerski in 1701. The main feature at that time was the immense town hall, reconstructed in 1580 in the style of Polish mannerism by Antoneo de Ralia and again between 1620-1621. The architecture of the building was similar to many other structures of that type in Poland (e.g. the town hall in Szydłowiec). It was adorned with attics and four side towers. A clock tower, embellished with an arcade loggia, was covered with a bulbous spire typical for Warsaw mannerist architecture (an example being the Royal Castle). The district was damaged by the bombs of the German Luftwaffe during the Invasion of Poland (1939). The ancient Market Place was rebuilt in the 1950s, after having been destroyed by the German Army after the suppression of the 1944 Warsaw Uprising. Today it is a major tourist attraction.
Toruń landscape, Toruń, Kuyavian-Pomeranian, Poland, Europe
Toruń is an ancient city in northern Poland, on the Vistula River. Its population is 205,934 as of June 2009. Toruń is one of the oldest cities in Poland. The medieval old town of Toruń is the birthplace of the astronomer Nicolaus Copernicus. In 1997 the medieval part of the city was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. In 2007 the Old Town in Toruń was added to the list of Seven Wonders of Poland. National Geographic Polska rated the old town market and the Gothic town hall as one of the 30 Most Beautiful Places in the World. In 2010 Forbes magazine ranked Toruń as number one of the Polish Cities Attractive for Business. In 2009 it was listed as one of the Best Cities to Live in Poland, in a ranking published by Przekrój. Previously it was the capital of the Toruń Voivodeship (1975-98) and the Pomeranian Voivodeship (1921-45). Since 1999, Toruń has been a seat of the self-government of the Kujawy-Pomerania Province and, as such, is one of its two capitals (together with Bydgoszcz). The cities and neighboring counties form the Bydgoszcz-Toruń twin city metropolitan area. In September 2004, Bydgoszcz Medical School joined Toruń's Nicolaus Copernicus University as its Collegium Medicum. The current Mayor of Toruń is Mr. Michał Zaleski. Toruń has two drama theatres (Teatr im. Wilama Horzycy with three stages and Teatr Wiczy), two children's theatres (Baj Pomorski and Zaczarowany Świat), two music theatres (Mała Rewia, Studencki Teatr Tańca), and numerous other theatre groups. The city hosts, among others events, the international theatre festival, Kontakt, annually in May A building called Baj Pomorski has recently been completely reconstructed. It is now one of the most modern cultural facilities in the city, with its front elevation in the shape of a gigantic chest of drawers. It is located at the south-east edge of the Old Town. Toruń has a number of cinemas including a Cinema City, which has over 2,000 seats. Over ten major museums document the history of Toruń and the region. Among others, the House of Kopernik and the accompanying museum commemorate Nicolaus Copernicus and his revolutionary work, the university museum reveals the history of the city's academic past. The Centre of Contemporary Art (Centrum Sztuki Współczesnej - CSW) opened in June 2008 and is one of the most important cultural facilities of this kind in Poland. The modern building is located in the very centre of the city, adjacent to the Old Town. The Toruń Symphonic Orchestra (formerly the Toruń Chamber Orchestra) is well-rooted in the Toruń cultural landscape. Toruń is equipped with a planetarium (located downtown) and an astronomical observatory (located in nearby community of Piwnice). The latter boasts the largest radio telescope in the Eastern part of Central Europe with a diameter of 32 m (104.99 ft), second only to the Effelsberg 100 m (328.08 ft) radio telescope. Toruń is well known for Toruń gingerbread, a type of pierniki often made in elaborate moulds. Muzeum Piernika in Toruń is the only museum dedicated to gingerbread in Europe.
My Trip to Toruń, Poland - The Gingerbread Capital of Europe
Planning a trip to Torun? Save up to $45 on your first AirBnb booking:
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In this video I want to share with you the highlights of my one day in Torun, Poland.
This is a beautiful, medieval town in the northern region of Poland. I visited as a day trip from Gdansk taking the train both ways.
Torun is known as the gingerbread capital of Europe and everywhere in the old town you'll find bakeries selling gingerbread cookies of all kinds.
Some of the other best things to do in Torun, Poland include the gingerbread Museum, the different monuments, the castle ruins, and all of the great food.
While small, the Torun Old Town is one of the most best-preserved and picturesque in all of Poland. Bonus tip: head across the river for a different view of the Old Town.
There are plenty of local breweries and affordable restaurants throughout the city. I recommend pierogi and a local beer!
Hope you enjoyed this video about my trip to Torun, Poland. Thanks for watching!
Toruń landscape, Toruń, Kuyavian-Pomeranian, Poland, Europe
Toruń is an ancient city in northern Poland, on the Vistula River. Its population is 205,934 as of June 2009. Toruń is one of the oldest cities in Poland. The medieval old town of Toruń is the birthplace of the astronomer Nicolaus Copernicus. In 1997 the medieval part of the city was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. In 2007 the Old Town in Toruń was added to the list of Seven Wonders of Poland. National Geographic Polska rated the old town market and the Gothic town hall as one of the 30 Most Beautiful Places in the World. In 2010 Forbes magazine ranked Toruń as number one of the Polish Cities Attractive for Business. In 2009 it was listed as one of the Best Cities to Live in Poland, in a ranking published by Przekrój. Previously it was the capital of the Toruń Voivodeship (1975-98) and the Pomeranian Voivodeship (1921-45). Since 1999, Toruń has been a seat of the self-government of the Kujawy-Pomerania Province and, as such, is one of its two capitals (together with Bydgoszcz). The cities and neighboring counties form the Bydgoszcz-Toruń twin city metropolitan area. In September 2004, Bydgoszcz Medical School joined Toruń's Nicolaus Copernicus University as its Collegium Medicum. The current Mayor of Toruń is Mr. Michał Zaleski. Toruń has two drama theatres (Teatr im. Wilama Horzycy with three stages and Teatr Wiczy), two children's theatres (Baj Pomorski and Zaczarowany Świat), two music theatres (Mała Rewia, Studencki Teatr Tańca), and numerous other theatre groups. The city hosts, among others events, the international theatre festival, Kontakt, annually in May A building called Baj Pomorski has recently been completely reconstructed. It is now one of the most modern cultural facilities in the city, with its front elevation in the shape of a gigantic chest of drawers. It is located at the south-east edge of the Old Town. Toruń has a number of cinemas including a Cinema City, which has over 2,000 seats. Over ten major museums document the history of Toruń and the region. Among others, the House of Kopernik and the accompanying museum commemorate Nicolaus Copernicus and his revolutionary work, the university museum reveals the history of the city's academic past. The Centre of Contemporary Art (Centrum Sztuki Współczesnej - CSW) opened in June 2008 and is one of the most important cultural facilities of this kind in Poland. The modern building is located in the very centre of the city, adjacent to the Old Town. The Toruń Symphonic Orchestra (formerly the Toruń Chamber Orchestra) is well-rooted in the Toruń cultural landscape. Toruń is equipped with a planetarium (located downtown) and an astronomical observatory (located in nearby community of Piwnice). The latter boasts the largest radio telescope in the Eastern part of Central Europe with a diameter of 32 m (104.99 ft), second only to the Effelsberg 100 m (328.08 ft) radio telescope. Toruń is well known for Toruń gingerbread, a type of pierniki often made in elaborate moulds. Muzeum Piernika in Toruń is the only museum dedicated to gingerbread in Europe.
Toruń City Hall, Toruń, Kuyavian-Pomeranian, Poland, Europe
Toruń is an ancient city in northern Poland, on the Vistula River. Its population is 205,934 as of June 2009. Toruń is one of the oldest cities in Poland. The medieval old town of Toruń is the birthplace of the astronomer Nicolaus Copernicus. In 1997 the medieval part of the city was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. In 2007 the Old Town in Toruń was added to the list of Seven Wonders of Poland. National Geographic Polska rated the old town market and the Gothic town hall as one of the 30 Most Beautiful Places in the World. In 2010 Forbes magazine ranked Toruń as number one of the Polish Cities Attractive for Business. In 2009 it was listed as one of the Best Cities to Live in Poland, in a ranking published by Przekrój. Previously it was the capital of the Toruń Voivodeship (1975-98) and the Pomeranian Voivodeship (1921-45). Since 1999, Toruń has been a seat of the self-government of the Kujawy-Pomerania Province and, as such, is one of its two capitals (together with Bydgoszcz). The cities and neighboring counties form the Bydgoszcz-Toruń twin city metropolitan area. In September 2004, Bydgoszcz Medical School joined Toruń's Nicolaus Copernicus University as its Collegium Medicum. The current Mayor of Toruń is Mr. Michał Zaleski. Toruń has two drama theatres (Teatr im. Wilama Horzycy with three stages and Teatr Wiczy), two children's theatres (Baj Pomorski and Zaczarowany Świat), two music theatres (Mała Rewia, Studencki Teatr Tańca), and numerous other theatre groups. The city hosts, among others events, the international theatre festival, Kontakt, annually in May A building called Baj Pomorski has recently been completely reconstructed. It is now one of the most modern cultural facilities in the city, with its front elevation in the shape of a gigantic chest of drawers. It is located at the south-east edge of the Old Town. Toruń has a number of cinemas including a Cinema City, which has over 2,000 seats. Over ten major museums document the history of Toruń and the region. Among others, the House of Kopernik and the accompanying museum commemorate Nicolaus Copernicus and his revolutionary work, the university museum reveals the history of the city's academic past. The Centre of Contemporary Art (Centrum Sztuki Współczesnej - CSW) opened in June 2008 and is one of the most important cultural facilities of this kind in Poland. The modern building is located in the very centre of the city, adjacent to the Old Town. The Toruń Symphonic Orchestra (formerly the Toruń Chamber Orchestra) is well-rooted in the Toruń cultural landscape. Toruń is equipped with a planetarium (located downtown) and an astronomical observatory (located in nearby community of Piwnice). The latter boasts the largest radio telescope in the Eastern part of Central Europe with a diameter of 32 m (104.99 ft), second only to the Effelsberg 100 m (328.08 ft) radio telescope. Toruń is well known for Toruń gingerbread, a type of pierniki often made in elaborate moulds. Muzeum Piernika in Toruń is the only museum dedicated to gingerbread in Europe.