I. Toruń Angels

Where do the angels live? Every child knows that in heaven. However, the answer to the question where is heaven is not so straightforward. It only seems to be obvious that heaven is “up in the sky,” and even it is a simple task to show it with an arm risen above the head. This direction is also supported by the icons or altars in Catholic churches if, for example, the direction to heaven is clearly pictured by the icon of Assumption of Virgin Mary.

If the Earth were flat, in contradiction to Copernicus’ order of the Universe, this direction would indeed be correct. However, within this childish picture of the world hell would be below, down under. But the Earth is a globe, and “down there” is Australia with its own heaven above in the sky! Thus, the simplest solution on this problem is to separate heaven from the sky and place the celestial objects in the paradise but without trying to find the way how to get there.

In any case, for centuries it is well known that angels also live in Toruń! Not just only one who is present in the city coat of arms, the Guardian Angel, but a whole family of them. They found a nice, friendly and warm place here in Copernicus’ hometown [1].

When did for the first time an angel appear at the Wisła (Vistula) bank? In order to find the answer to this question it is important to learn more about roots of the Toruń coat of arms and its historical fate.

The city coat of arms, the symbolic emblem of any city, in general is influenced by all historical changes and political conditions of a given territory, especially in case of loss of its independence. This was the fate of Poland for centuries. The historical past of Toruń is divided into several periods dependent on its political administration that was changing over the years, or even centuries; not by choice but by political decisions made by the so-called powers, which formerly governed all of Europe.

At the beginning there was the Teutonic period, since the Knights of the Teutonic Order [2] were the founders of town. This was the Catholic Order (in fact still existing), sometimes called the Or der of the Crossbearers because of their characteristic white mantle with a huge black cross visible even from a distance.

In 1454 the Old Town, with the municipal rights written in 1233, was unified with the New Town, established in 1264 and settled just behind the city walls. Since then, Toruń has become a prosperous town under one administration, but still with a deci sive Teutonic influence. But not for long. This was the beginning of the history of symbolic seals and coat of arms of Toruń; and also the time of growing conflicts with the Knights of the Order.

To make the chronological review short at this point of presen tation, one has to skip over several centuries to avoid the details of many turbulent battles and other dramatic historical events. To show just the most dramatic turns in the past of Poland, a forward jump in time reaches the second part of XVIII century. This was the beginning of political changes with tremendous impact upon the whole country, and in particular on Pomerania and Toruń. There were three consecutive partitions of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth between foreign invaders: the Russian Empire, Kingdom of Prussia and Habsburg Empire (Austro-Hungarian Empire since 1867). In every book of Polish history there are three important entries: 1772, 1793 and finally 1795 when the country disappeared completely from the map of Europe for 123 years. This was the year when the King Stanisław August Poniatowski, escorted by Russian soldiers, left Warsaw and abdicated. The country was divided: 82% of the territory of the country that was left after the First Partition in 1772, including Warsaw, became Russian; 11% belonged to Austria and 7% to Prussia. However, it was not only a division of the country in a geographic sense, but in fact it was an annexation of the territory, and each of these parts became the parts of imperial Russia, Prussia and Austria, with boarders between them.

These partitions of the whole country resulted in the Prussian period of Toruń and the district of Pomerania. There was only a short period during which the city was under the rule of the Duchy of Warsaw, proclaimed by Napoleon in 1807. But it did not last long enough to leave a lasting impact on the city and symbolism of its coat of arms.

Another jump in history marks the date of 18 January 1920. This date is noted in large font in all calendars, since as a result of the Versailles Treaty [3], the independence of the country was proclaimed and Pomerania, together with Toruń, returned to the Motherland. This is the historical event that was celebrated in 2020 and in fact the Polish version of the album with pictures of Toruń seen by its Angels was dedicated to this centennial jubilee.

On 1 September 1939 the Second World War was proclaimed. The country was destroyed and German occupation started. During this time it was impossible even to show nationality or any other sign of Polish roots, and death was the punishment for speaking in Polish. Liberation from German occupation came in 1945. It was followed by years of People’s Poland, and within the ideology of this new political system there was no place for angels; simply they did not exist even as symbols. Finally, political changes of the system in 1989 rebuilt completely the nationality and spirit of Poland. Since then, not only one angel returned as the Guardian Angel to the symbolism of the historical seal or coat of arms of Toruń, but his whole family legally appeared again in various places in town.

These few data subtracted from the history of Poland are the orientation points for the story about the roots and modifications of seals and coat of arms. The symbols had to adjust to locally existing situations and to change over the centuries; to reach finally the style and message as represented by the Toruń Angel of modern coat of arms.

The story is rather rich in changes, modifications and turbulences, and it began in the 13 th century.

A banner of a legion of warriors very often serves as an archetype of the coat of arms for a given city. However the strongest impact on shape and symbolic message of any logo originated from the seals used for authorization of historical documents to give them legal authority. In the case of Toruń, the details, history and interpretation of the symbolism of coat of arms and also the city seals are presented in the book by Karola Ciesielska “Herb i pieczęcie miasta Torunia” (Toruńskie Towarzystwo Kultury, Biblioteczka Toruńska Nr 3 – Toruń 1982). The contents of this very book define the canvas of the story below.

The oldest seal was found on the document signed on 15 March 1262 by the City Council of Toruń and the Knights of the Teutonic Order. It was a large round seal, rather magnificent, with two towers connected by an arch under which there was Virgin Mary with Baby Jesus. This was the so-called Maria’s seal (pieczęć Maryjna). It is speculated that this particular seal was dedicated to the city by the Teutonic Order to emphasize clearly that the town was founded by them. This interpretation is rather reasonable because Virgin Mary was their patron. The Maria’s seal was used for many very important documents. For example, in 1411 it confirmed the Peace Treaty of Toruń signed between the Polish Kingdom and the Teutonic Order, the agreement concluding the battle of Grunwald in 1410 [4]. The importance of this seal was evident up to the end of 18 th century, however it was not used very often.

In 1339 a new seal appeared on the state documents. It pictured St. John, the patron of Toruń standing between two trees, and this is why it was called the St. John’s seal (Świętojańska pieczęć). The importance of this seal is proved by its imprint on at least two historical documents. With this seal, The City Council of Toruń certified on 28 May 1454 the tribute and surrender to the Crown of the Polish Kingdom, King Kazimierz Jagiellończyk. It was also used on 19 October 1466 to authorize the Second Peace Treaty of Toruń, which finalized the Thirteen Years’ War [5].

In addition to the important seals, which authorized the documents to give them legal force (as those above), the City Council in everyday activity was using other seals, just to seal the letters or other less important documents. It is interesting that these rather small and at first glance irrelevant seals with time became the main origin of the coats of arms of towns and their symbolic emblems. Various versions of the Toruń coat of arms appeared during the 14 th century. This period is regarded by historians as a time of the most rapid creation of different symbolic identifications of the town. Although there were different versions of artistic combinations of symbols, one element was always present, and it was a city wall with three towers and an open gate in the middle. Is it possible that this arrangement was inspired by the seal of the Grand Master of Teutonic Knights, since it indeed presented a castle tower with a gate?

In 1410 in the battle of Grunwald between Kingdom of Poland (King Władysław Jagiełło) and the Teutonic Order, the Knights from Toruń fought under the standard with a picture of a city wall with three towers, the middle one higher than the other two, and an open gate in the middle.

Jan Długosz, the first Polish historian and creator of the Polish heraldry published in 1448 “Banderia Prutenorum” with an outstanding collection of 56 Teutonic banners. Among them, 51 were military trophies from the Grunwald battle won by the Polish warriors. One of this collection was a banner that belonged to the Knights from Toruń, since they obviously were fighting against the Polish king! All these historical symbols were included as illustrations in a book by Długosz, and therefore it was possible to restore the history of the city coat of arms. This is why it is known now that the picture on the Toruń banner from Grunwald, with the medieval version of the emblem, became the origin of all the symbols created later. Namely, three red towers, the middle one higher than the other two, each tower with one black window, below in the middle a golden double gate with doors opened out to the sides, and the opening partially covered at the top by a suspended silver grille. The fate of this historical collection of standards kept in Wawel, the royal castle in Kraków, was as complex as the history of Poland, and only thanks to this book from the 15 th century it was possible to reconstruct all the prototypes of the city coats of arms.

The letters preserved in the archives, which are dated from the period of 1405–1507, contain the imprint of a small “signet” seal with the symbols arranged for the first time in a heraldic form. The three towers with an open gate are placed on a shield. This particular arrangement survived centuries.

As mentioned, in 1454 there was unification of the Old Town with the New Town, a separate settlement with its own City Council and court, and obviously also with customized seals and coat of arms. The oldest preserved seal of the New Town is from 1338. It contains the Teutonic shield to confirm symbolically the dependence of town on the Order, especially because the Grand Master (in fact on a local level called komtur) was even a member of the local council.

The coat of arms of unified Toruń however was taken from the style of the Old Town symbolism with three towers and an open gate. After unification of both parts of town, even the coins were issued in the city mint with these symbols to manifest in this way the change of the political situation after gaining a slight independence from the Knights.

In general, the year of 1454 was a special year in the history of this region of Poland. The political situation was changing rapidly. On February 4 th war was proclaimed against the Teutonic Order, as announced by the local representatives directly to the Grand Master in Malbork, a town with the main castle of the Order. On February 6 th the nobility together with the residents of Toruń rose up against the Knights and attacked their castle at the Wisła bank. The leader of the Prussian Confederation [6], Jan Bażyński, inspired by events in Toruń, asked King Kazimierz Jagiellończyk to incorporate Prussia into the Royal Kingdom of Poland as a fiefdom. As a reply, on March 6 th the King issued the incorporation document that meant the proclamation of war against the Order. This was the beginning of the Thirteen Years’ War concluded in 1466 by The Second Peace Treaty of Toruń. This very important document was legally authorized by the St. John’s seal. During this turbulent time in history the City Council preferred to use the St. John’s seal over Maria’s one just to avoid even a slim connection with the Teutonic Order, since as mentioned before, the latter seal was possibly associated with the Knights.

On 28 January 1470 (three years before Nicolaus Copernicus was born) the first Toruń Angel appeared on an imprint of a big seal that had been pressed by City Council on a document addressed to the Council of Gdańsk! Indeed, for the first time in history there was an ANGEL on the coat of arms of Toruń, standing with arms embracing the shield with the known symbol of three towers and an open gate in the middle. Thus, since 1470 an Angel is present in Toruń and finally he found a place on the coat of arms. Only in 1488 his position was changed from standing to kneeling but still with arms embracing the shield, with head bent down showing his concerns about the town and also promising a cordial care of its residents.

This seal was used for almost 300 years, and its imprint is preserved on many documents and letters kept in the archives. This symbolism became the archetype for Toruń’s coat of arms until the 1930s.

Why did an angel appear in the Toruń coat of arms? There are many answers to this question and even there are some legends circulating, however there is no evidence of the reason or origin of this particular enrichment of the previous symbolism. The author of the book cited above, Karola Ciesielska, suggests that the main inspiration possibly originated from the angels of the magnificent seal of King Władysław Jagiełło, who won the battle at Grunwald. It is also possible that the Guardian Angel taking care of Toruń is the artistic form of gratitude of residents for God’s help during the Thirteen Years’ War against the Teutonic Order.

Copies of the historical seals from the book “Sztuka w Toruniu: Zarys dziejów,” ed. Emanuel Okoń (published by: Wyd. Muzeum Okręgowe i Towarzystwo Naukowe, Toruń 2014); below a copy of the First Toruń Treaty with denoted Maria’s seal (from the Archives: Archiwum Główne Akt Dawnych)

Coat of arms from 1601–1609 on organ prospectus in Saint Mary’s Church in Toruń (Piotr Kożurno, https://pl.wikipedia. org/wiki/Herb_Torunia#/ media/File:Torun kosciol_NMP_ organy_herb_Torunia.jpg)

The tourist guides in Toruń tell a legend to the visitors to the Old Town. It was predicted centuries ago, during the Medieval time, that in 1500 there would be the end of the world as a punishment for sins and all of people’s faults. Out of fear the residents of Toruń decided to appease God, and they funded the magnificent bell, Tuba Dei (God’s Trumpet), that was installed in the newly built tower (around 1480) of Saint Johns’ Church. On 22 September 1500 Toruń heard for the first time the music of the oldest Gothic bell in Poland, cast in Toruń in the foundry of Marcin Schmidt, as it is now known. The size of this bell is still impressive – the weight is seven tons and its diameter is 2.27 meters. Its beautiful music was the reason that God, as an answer for this gesture, sent an angel to protect the city against misfortunes, plagues and wars. Perhaps God’s decision and the presence of the sent angel indeed protected the town from destruction during the Swedish invasion [7]. It is also possible that the Toruń Angel defended the town during the Second World War, and due to his protection we are still able to enjoy the authentic Gothic monuments and the atmosphere of the original Old Town.

In every legend always there is a small grain of truth. In this one the dates are correct and also that the Toruń Angel is still present in town; in fact there is a family of Toruń Angels as presented below. To summarize, the first angel appeared on an imprint of a seal in 1470, in 1488 he changed his position, and the City Council introduced the seal with this modification in 1507. This means that it happened seven years after the expected end of the world, and seven years since Tuba Dei began its historical role.

The protective and caring angel leaning over the shield with Toruń coat of arms is still a symbol. Its presence was perceived with pride from the very beginning, and this sentiment continues to this day.

From the end of 16 th century this special symbolism inspired poets and numerous poems devoted to the coat of arms of Toruń were written. The best example of a hymn of praise is the poetry of Ulryk Schober (1559–1598). He was a philosopher from Leipzig, who as a master of Latin language and expert in Greek, as a 25 year old young man was appointed to the post of vice-rector of the famous Toruń Gymnasium [8]. He deserved a special recognition due to his decisions and activity for development of the Gymnasium. Indeed, thanks to him a rich collection of the school library was established, mainly because of his strong support for free access to the literature, not only theological, but also to scientific books. As a consequence, in 1594 the Gymnasium was promoted to the level of an academic school, known also abroad for its library and scientific education.

Bronisław Nadolski in his book “Ze studiów nad życiem literackim i kulturą umysłową na Pomorzu w XVI i XVII wieku” (Zakład Narodowy im. Ossolińskich, Wydawnictwo PAN, 1969) gave the best description of Schober’s role as a poet, when writing, “Taken as a whole, Schober presented himself in Toruń with a collection of his Poems as a thorough Renaissance poet, the first writer in this area to write so much about the people of this city.”

In particular, one of the poems by Schober is dedicated directly to the Toruń coat of arms. Through its translation from Latin to Polish, and then to English, possibly its poetic beauty is distorted, but indeed it describes in detail the symbolic composition of the city wall, an open gate and obviously an angel. It is interesting that the interpretation of an open gate present on the shield that is given in this poem is still a credo for many proud Toruń residents. Namely, since the gate is only half-open, it is explained that this open part shows the access to town for all what is good. Thus the town is open for all the guests, while the other part of the gate is closed for all what is evil, and therefore is closed for all enemies. In another poem Schober added that the three towers on the shield are also symbolic because they represent three major powers in the city: justice (court), religion (church) and family (house), as explained by Marian Gumowski (in the book “Pieczęcie i herby miast pomorskich,” Tow. Nauk. w Toruniu, 1939).

The artistic composition of the front page of the collection of Schober’s poems “Olbiopolis seu civitas beata,” published in 1592, serves as a clear evidence of the special dedication of the author to Toruń and his admiration of its symbolism. On this page there is an imprint of a signet seal produced in Leipzig. It is very similar to one from the 17 th century owned by the printing house of Franciszek Schnellboltz in Toruń, and used in 1635 on a panegyric published in honor of King Władysław IV.

When comparing both versions of these used seals, it becomes obvious that the earlier one was the template for the later. This conclusion is supported also by a fact that the owner of the printing house in Toruń was originally from Leipzig.

The 18 th century brought changes to the political situation in the country, and as a consequence, also to the rules of symbolic composition and presentation of banners, coat of arms and official seals. The May 3rd 1791 Constitution [9] was proclaimed and the Republic of Poland was established with the threefold separation of powers. This was a period with new a administration, new structure, and new ministries. All these modifications of the country were the reason that many new symbolic signs and seals were introduced. It led also to the change in the Toruń coat of arms, but only a slight one. The angel taking care of three towers with an open gate remained in place, however the shield disappeared from the emblem, as Gumowski described in the book cited above.

In 1793 there was a Second Partition of Poland. Ciesielska clearly stated in her book that under Prussian rule Toruń lost its independence and all previous privileges. The main aim of a newly established administration was to include the town under a strong system of Prussian rule and to forget all that would prove or demonstrate the Polish roots, history, culture, tradition and simply, style of life. After more than 300 years of presence, the Toruń Angel disappeared from the coat of arms and was replaced by Prussian black eagle. Ciesielska pointed out that “the banner lost its Polish character,” and “the new details of heraldic art were rather strange since never before in Polish style was there a round shield.” Obviously, the Polish inscriptions on historical seals had to be adjusted to new political requirements and were also replaced by a German version.

The front page of the collection of poems by Ulryk Schober, published in 1592 (Antique Collection of Library in Elbląg, Pol.6.II.86); imprint of signet seal from the printing house in Toruń of Franciszek Schnellboltz from 1635 (Library UMK Pol.7.III.285 adl.)

The Angel returned to the emblem when Toruń was under the rule of the Duchy of Warsaw [10] established in 1807. He was taking care of the towers with the gate still keeping the same posture, but without a shield. On the seals again the Polish versions of inscriptions returned, however only for a short time. On 28 April 1811, due to the order issued by the rulers of the Duchy, all the heraldic seals were replaced by a new version with the state emblem rather than with local symbols. The Vienna Congress of 1815 [11] changed everything! Again. Toruń was once again under Prussian power. Therefore the Prussian eagle was present in the coat of arms. In the case of city seal – now the eagle was sitting on the middle tower of the historical stylization!

Example of a seal with three towers, open gate and Prussian eagle sitting on the middle one. This is the imprint of a seal on the front page of Samuel Thomas Sommerring’s book (born in Toruń in 1755) who identified 12 pairs of cranial nerves. This seal documents that the book belongs to the library of Royal Toruń Gymnasium (Soemmerring was its graduate)

The title page of the Toruń calendar for 1761 (from the collection of the Copernicus City Library in Toruń) also certifies the changes in the symbolism of the city during this special time in its history. The ownership of this calendar is in Latin and all the other inscriptions are in German; this calendar belonged to the Library of Toruń Gymnasium. In the center of this page there is an emblem in its medieval, original version, in which an angel is standing and with both hands holding the shield, protecting the three towers with an open gate. These symbols have not been changed. However, in the upper right corner of this page there is a slightly hazy seal with the Prussian eagle sitting on the middle tower, replacing the traditional angel! This seal was adapted to the political atmosphere prevailing in Toruń at that particular time, although the original symbol, printed in the middle of the page, survived.

Toruń calendar for the year of 1761; in possession of the Library of Toruń Gymnasium (from the collection of Copernicus City Library in Toruń)

In the mid-nineteenth century the angel returned to his place, although there were many versions of his position in relation to the heraldic shield. And then, at the end of this century there was a characteristic change introduced to the emblem. It brought back the traditional and historical symbolism from 1488! The angel again was kneeling at the shield, and in addition he held in his right hand a large symbolic key to the gate of town.

In 1916 a special order for new city seals was sent to the then contemporary famous artist Otto Oertek in Berlin. This was also a symbolic return to the original and historical seal used from the end of 14 th and during the 15 th centuries. It is interesting that in the same artistic atelier in Berlin a medal was cast to celebrate 350 th anniversary of the founding of the Toruń Gymnasium. This jubilee was celebrated on 8 March 1918, still under the rule of Prussians, but only a few months before the truce with Germany that happened the same year on November 11th (end of the First World War).

The reverse of this medal presented an image of the hard work of all residents, including the students of gymnasium, determined to support the power and perseverance of Germany during the lasting war. On the other side of this medal, on its obverse, there was a building of the school (modern, from 1855, and still existing), and above its roof, up in the sky, there was a protective angel holding the traditional heraldic shield of Toruń. Historically it was the time very close to the change of the political situation. Thus, the presence of this symbolism on the medal had a special meaning for native Polish citizens, especially because during the Prussian control to show Polish roots or any association with them, was forbidden by the invaders.

The delay of realization of the Versailles Treaty signed after the First World War, was caused by some political and technical difficulties with the local German authorities. This is why the Polish Army, under the General Józef Haller, finally arrived in Toruń on 18 January 1920 to liberate this district of Poland after years of Prussian rule. In 2020 there was a special celebration in Toruń, since on that very day one hundred years ago it became the capital city of Pomerania, a part of Poland again.

Toruń was back in the Motherland; and the Toruń Angel was also back in his historical place on the coat of arms; however –again not for a long time. This is our history!

Dr. Otto Steinborn, the commissary mayor of Toruń, just after the liberation, took care of new symbolism by adjusting it to the political changes, however a dilemma arose: which of the historical banners should be selected. In July of that year, a new seal similar to the one ordered in 1916 in studio in Berlin was ready with the inscriptions obviously in Polish.

Finally, on 2 July 1936, the official seal and Toruń coat of arms were approved by the Ministry of Internal Policy. In the published document all the details of the symbolism were precisely described and defined, including the structure of the towers and even the colors of angel’s robe:

The document stated: on the silver background there are city walls in red with three towers of the same height. In the side towers there are single windows, black in the opening. In the wall there is a double gate with golden doors, but silver frames, one half-open with a silver harrow hanging in the middle. The opening of the gate is black. The heraldic shield is held by a kneeling angel dressed in a light blue robe and with silver wings. The hair of angels is black, and face and arms are of natural color.

And then, on 1 September 1939, Poland was attacked by Hitler’s Army; this was the beginning of Second World War and a very dark period of Polish history under German occupation. The Toruń Angel had to disappear as all the other national symbols!

There was no place for an angel in the Toruń coat of arms also after liberation in 1945 and during the time of leading ideology of the People’s Republic of Poland. Officially Toruń Angel was back after political changes in 1989. The design of the coat of arms was almost identical as that one established in 1920. There was one difference: similarly as at the end of the 19 th century, the Toruń Angel has been holding in his right hand a symbolic golden key to town, as being responsible for its peace and prosperity. The Toruń coat of arms decorates the facade of the City Office. However, above the main entrance to the building, on the artistic stained glass there is a new version of the heraldic shield. In this presentation the historical angel was secularized, and he is pictured without wings, the main attribute of the celestial object. There is a cornucopia built in, as if instead, and this particular element might suggest that this symbolism came from before political changes in 1989; from the time of material and ideological prosperity, as the former political rulers in Poland were proclaiming to the nation. During hundreds of years, since the Thirteen Years’ War, when the angel had been continuously guarding town – the family of Toruń Angels is significantly enlarged. Does it mean that there is Los Angeles at the Wisła (Vistula) bank?

In any case, the same question appears now, as at the beginning of this story, where are all these Toruń Angels living? Those material, artistic, traditional and modern, all are obviously living above the level of the ground, sometimes quite high above the streets, but still they are visible if you know where to look for them. Those celestial and fleeting are living much higher and although they are invisible, their guardian care is still perceptible; as for many past centuries.

In fact, the family of Toruń angels has to be completed. It is known that Nicolaus Copernicus plays a role of a symbol for the town, but there is another symbol – this is gingerbread! Famous Toruń gingerbread. The tradition of baking these special cookies goes back to the 15 th century. Thanks to the royal privilege from 1557 Toruń bakers were granted special rights to sell their gingerbread at royal markets. The tradition was booming during the 17 th and 18 th centuries, and it lasts until now. In the local museum there is a rich collection of wooden forms that were used centuries ago, and one of them of course pictures an engraved angel; Toruń angel in gingerbread. The modern composition of the form includes also the coat of arms, and therefore it presents in this unusual way the history of town.

Family album of Toruń Angels

Historical glossary

[1] Nicolaus Copernicus: Catholic canon, polyglot, talented in mathematics and astronomy, also physician, translator, diplomat and economist. A versatile scholar and author of the heliocentric order of the Universe was born in Toruń on February 19, 1473; therefore it is common to describe Toruń as Copernicus’ Town.

as invited guests. They created an independent Monastic State of the Teutonic Knights and continued their conquest to increase the area of their influence by grabbing the Prussian land and terrorizing its native citizens. A deep conflict, which had arisen between the local residents and the Knights, lasted more than two centuries until the Second Toruń Peace in 1466.

The Order built in Toruń its first castle in Chełmno Land; the construction started in the 13 th century and lasted almost one hundred years. The castle was situated in a strategic place, along the bank of Wisła (Vistula) river but was demolished during the city’s rebellion at the beginning of the Thirteen Years’ War against the Teutonic Knights.

[2] The Order of Brothers of the German House of Saint Mary in Jerusalem, commonly known as Teutonic Order, was founded about 1190 as a crusading military order to protect Christian pilgrims on their way to the Holy Land and to organize hospitals for the sick and injured. In 1226, Conrad I, the Duke of Masovia (Mazowsze), invited the Knights to help him defend his territory against the pagan Prussians and most of all, to introduce them to Christianity. The Knights were allowed to use the Chełmno Land to fulfill this mission. However, they quickly forgot about the reason for their presence and started to violate rights and privileges given to them

[3] Versailles Treaty was the peace treaty that ended the First World War between the defeated German Empire and the Allied Countries. The formal agreement to a cease fire was signed on 11 November 1918, but the detailed negotiations took some months until 28 June 1919, when the treaty was signed and then registered on 21 October 1919. The document of ratification was deposited on 10 January 1920, marking a new political order in Europe. Poland regained a large part of the territory taken by Prussia as a result of the First and Second Partitions of the country with little access to the Baltic Sea and the port in Gdańsk, which became a Free City. On 21 January 1920 General Józef Haller, commander of the Polish Army, entered Toruń in triumph to take back Pomerania from the German administration; Toruń returned to the Motherland and became the capital city of Pomerania.

[4] Battle of Grunwald , on 15 July 1410 was the largest battle in medieval Europe, and perhaps the most important. The victory over the Teutonic Order under the command of King Władysław Jagiełło of combined forces of the Crown of Poland and the Grand Duchy of Lithuania made the union of these two nations the dominant political and military force in Europe. The battle ended with a Peace Treaty signed in Toruń in 1411 between the Teutonic Order and the Kingdom of Poland. Till this day, the battle of Grunwald remains a source of national pride for Poles, who remember it as a symbol of victory over foreign invaders.

[5] Thirteen Years’ War against the terror of the Teutonic Order started in 1454 with an uprising of the Prussian cities and was supported by the King of the Polish Kingdom. It concluded with the Second Peace of Toruń in 1466. From that time, the reclaimed Prussian territory was called Royal Prussia and remained initially autonomous, including its own coin minted in the royal mint in Toruń, but administered by a council, however, subordinate to the Polish King.

[6] Prussian Confederation, organized in 1440 in Kwidzyn, was a group of nobility and representatives of local clergy from 19 Prussian cities – with the main contributing forces from the Chełmno Land including Old Town Toruń, New Town Toruń, Chełmno, Elbląg and Gdańsk – determined to defend their privileges and rights. Initially, there was no intention to act against the rules and authority of the Teutonic Knights in Prussia. However, after 1435 when the liberties of the nobility became threatened by the Order, the conflict between Prussians and the Knights grew more and more acute. Toruń became the seat of the Secret Council of Confederation in 1453. It took only one year to start an open war with the Knights. Indeed, the Thirteen Years’ War was declared in 1454.

[7] Swedish invasion and occupation of Toruń started in 1655 and lasted for three years; it was the so-called Swedish “Deluge.” The main aim of the Swedish King Charles X Gustaw in invading Royal Prussia with Toruń (being the crucial target of the attack because of its strategic location) was to establish total domination over the Baltic Sea. The actual siege of Toruń was undertaken on 26 September 1658. The Swedes rejected a Polish proposal to negotiate capitulation, and only a violent offensive by Polish armed forces on 14 December 1658 liberated the town; at the beginning of January 1659, the Polish King Jan Kazimierz entered the city of Copernicus, by then freed from the enemy.

The most devastating damage of the local heritage in the history of Toruń was yet to come: it happened in 1703. Not only was the main Swedish army stationed around Toruń, but King Charles XII was also present and supervised the siege of the city. Toruń, as the main fortress of Royal Prussia, fought back. Starting on 24 September 1703 the Swedes bombarded the town for two days, and the city sustained the most extensive damage in its whole history to date. The Old City Hall, for example, was burned down together with its archives, a library and other historical monuments; its present construction, without a helmet and crown on the tower, serves as evidence of this tragic event from more than 300 years ago. The same fate befell the Artus Court building, several old churches and houses in the Old Town Square.

The Swedish King Charles XII considered the goods robbed from Toruń as well-deserved reward for his soldiers. The losses were huge and have not yet been recovered. For example, the stolen bell “Thornan” from St. Jacob’s Church in the New Town remains the largest medieval bell in the cathedral in Uppsala, the place of coronation and eternal rest of Swedish kings. Two smaller bells from the church were saved after the City Council paid a high ransom to the Swedes.

[8] Toruń Gymnasium The school was established in 1568 as the protestant Gymnasium, transformed from St. John’s College (combined with St. Mary’s parish school), where Nicolaus Copernicus allegedly received his initial education. It was raised to the academic rank in 1594. The school was famous for its high level of education and excellent learning conditions, with its own printing house and an extensive library.

Siege of Toruń by Swedish army in 1655 (from Caroli gustavi... vita et res gestae by Samuel von Pufendorf, 1697, etching by E. J. Dahlberg, public domain via Wikimedia Commons); siege of Toruń in 1703 (drawing by Georg Friedrich Steiner (1704–~1766), from the book published in 1925 by Deutscher Wille, permission of the N. Copernicus University Library in Toruń)

First location in the buildings of post-Franciscan’s monastery, at the back yard of St. Mary’s Church (since 1568 – to 1724; photo WW); second location at Piekary Street, in a building served previously (since 1601) as a boarding house for poorer students of Academic Gymnasium (since 1724 – to 1855); finial location at Zaułek Prosowy (since 1855 – present)

The Gymnasium, officially named the Nicolaus Copernicus State Gymnasium in 1928, and later renamed as the Nicolaus Copernicus High School number 1, is one of the oldest schools in the country.

[9] Constitution of 3 May 1791 was the first in Europe and the second national constitution in the world, just after the United States Constitution of 1789. It changed the system of the country from a monarchy to a constitutional monarchy, in which the monarch had to follow the rules of the written constitution and serve the country in a rather ceremonial capacity. It was written to establish the legal system in the Polish – Lithuanian Commonwealth, dividing power into executive, legislative and judiciary branches. However it did not last for long. The Second and Third Partitions of Poland in 1793 and 1795 marked the end of the independent country until the Versailles Treaty in 1918, which ended the First World War. During this period when Poland was not on the map of Europe, the 3 May Constitution functioned as a symbol that supported the dream of all Polish patriots for the country to become independent again.

[10] The Duchy of Warsaw was established by Napoleon Bonaparte in 1807 on the territory resulting from the Second and Third Partitions of Poland. In theory it was an independent Polish state with its own constitution, government and army but under the rule of the king of Saxony, an ally of Napoleon. In reality, indeed the Duchy was dependent on the French Empire. In 1812 it was changed into the Polish Kingdom, only to be occupied by Russia the following year. The Vienna Congress in 1815 divided the Duchy among Russia, Prussia and Austria. However, with the majority of its central part with Warsaw, the Polish Congressional Kingdom was established, the state connected via the personal union with tsarist Russia. This means that its description as “Polish” was rather misleading since the problem of self-governing Poland as a state from before the Partitions was still not solved.

[11] Vienna Congress was a diplomatic meeting of the rulers of European countries, organized between November 1814 and June 1815 in Vienna. The main purpose of this meeting was to discuss changes of the existing territorial and political conditions in Europe at that time. In general, it established the rules of international politics keeping peace in Europe until the First World War in 1914. Based on the decisions made in Vienna, the former invaders of Poland, namely Russia, Austria and Prussia, gained the most territory divided among the powerful countries. In particular, Chełmno Land with Toruń was back again under the Prussian administration.

Between Earth and Heaven; Between Ground and Sky

II. Between Earth and Heaven; Between Ground and Sky

…Toruń bardzo pięknymi budynkami o dachach z połyskujących dachówek tak znakomity, że prawie żadne inne miasto nie może się z nim równać pod względem piękności położenia i świetności wyglądu

…Toruń with very beautiful buildings and roofs made of red tiles, so magnificent that no other town can be compared with its beauty of location and great appearance

Jan Długosz

Jan Adamczewski “Mikołaj Kopernik i jego epoka” (Wyd. Interpress, Warszawa 1972, str. 16)

Copernicus’ City of XXI century, seen by Toruń Angels, has been recorded photographically by Włodzimierz Werner from five observation points:

• Church of St. Jacob the Apostle (2008),

• Cathedral of St. Johns (2010),

• St. Mary’s Church (2013),

• Evangelical Church of St. Szczepan (2017),

• City Hall (2019).

The photographs in the album are presented in chronological order, as they were taken, and various directions of the camera lens are shown on small orientation maps.

Every set of photographs is preceded by the views of each church and the City Hall that are seen from the ground, as they are observed by tourists visiting the town. These are exactly the views of historical buildings that are seen also by an angel who lowered down his orbit and is guarding the passers-by in front of the Collegium Maius, for example. These photographs, taken by Andy Hess, are presented together with short historical information about each point of observation including data on sizes of towers, mainly to show from which heights Toruń was observed and documented by camera.

Historical information and data have been taken from the following sources:

Teresa Borawska and Henryk Rietz, “Przewodnik po Starym Toruniu” (Adam Marszałek, 1994),

– Tomasz Jaworski, Marek Nasieniewski, Krzysztof Przegiętka, “Dzwony Starego i Nowego Miasta Torunia – stan obecny” (chapter in “Tajemnice starych dzwonów Torunia i Chełmna w 500-tną rocznicę ulania wielkiego Tuba Dei spisane” (KNOiK, Toruń 2001)).