Discover on this fascinating tour: the historic Old Town of Elbląg, impressive St Nicholas Cathedral, charming Kadyny, majestic Frombork Cathedral and the famous Nicolaus Copernicus Tower.
Duration: approximately 6–7 hours
Travel from Gdansk to Elbląg, a historic trading city on the western edge of the Elbląg Upland, only around seven kilometres from where the River Elbląg enters the Vistula Lagoon. The town and the Teutonic castle were founded in 1237 by Hermann Balk. The region is also associated with the historic settlement of Truso, sometimes called the “Atlantis of the North”. Merchants from Lübeck introduced Lübeck law and helped turn Elbląg into an important commercial centre.
Elbląg merchants traded with countries along the western Baltic coast as well as England, Flanders and Spain. Approximately 60% of its valuable medieval buildings were destroyed during the Second World War, but the city retains its historic character. After a guided tour, continue to Kadyny, known for Trakehner horse breeding and ceramics, and then to Frombork.
Frombork is inseparably connected with Nicolaus Copernicus. At the beginning of the sixteenth century, the cathedral canon developed his revolutionary heliocentric theory here. He spent much of his life in Frombork and was buried in the cathedral. The fortified Gothic cathedral complex includes the Copernicus Observatory and the former bishop’s palace, now housing the Copernicus Museum. Built between 1329 and 1388, the cathedral is an outstanding example of Brick Gothic. The bell tower viewing platform offers sweeping views of the moraine landscape, the Vistula Lagoon and the Vistula Spit.
The Cracovia Reisen package includes:
