European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - December 01, 1994, Darmstadt, Hesse                                A Farmer makes his Wayt from his Fields into Torun where a child sets off a Spray by sticking his Finger into a water Fountain. Gaze at the stars in the town of Copernicus by Jon Connor staff writer one Man who helped put Torun on the map forever was Nicolaus Copernicus the father of modern astronomy. Copernicus was born in Torun in 1473 and lived there most of his life. He died in 1543. It was Copernicus who first theorized that the Earth revolves around the Sun. This revolutionary proposal which could have meant punishment by death in those Days was published under his name As he Lay on his deathbed. The museum is one Block South of the old town Square where he was born and lived until he was 17. The restored rooms exhibit such items As research equipment a stamp collection coins and badges. For a slight fee visitors can look at a Model of Torun while listening to a tape available in English explaining its history. Behind the Model slides of the City illuminate the Wall. A statue of Copernicus stands at the front of the town Hall. The museum at u. Kopernik 17, is open from 10 . To 4 . Thursday through tuesday. Admission is 10,000 zlotys about 50 cents. Unlike other polish cities Torun suffered nominal damage during world War ii. Many of the old buildings such As its Many churches and cathedrals remain intact and provide some interesting Sites. The place to Start after crossing the Vistula River is the old town s town Hall. The building erected in 1274, is. Said to be one of the largest of its kind in Northern Poland and contains the country s oldest Bell Tower. Visitors Are encouraged to climb the Tower for a picturesque View of the whole City. Wall hangings inform climbers by describing the town Hall s history and the exterior changes of the Bel Tower throughout the  near the top of this wooden Tower is an old Bell about 2 feet High covered with Graffiti. The real prize of course is a breathtaking View of Torun from 130 feet. Liliana Stawska Woytowicz was taking in an overview of her husband s Hometown. It s a very Nice town. It s like krak6w," said the half polish half italian tour guide noting that City s similarity in architectural style with that of Torun s. Krak6w, in South Central Poland has a population of 750,000, compared with the medieval looking Torun s 210,000. Asked to describe Torun Stawska Woytowicz replied typical polish meaning that the people Are kind and likable. Inside the town Hall Complex is a historical museum showcasing polish paintings medieval weaponry Grandfather style clocks and Model wooden ships. Decorative glassware in All shapes sizes and colors is stored in the basement which is opened upon request. The admission fee is the equivalent of $1 for the Tower and about 75 cents for the museum. Staying with the theme of Copernicus Torun has a first class planetarium about two blocks from the town Hall. Visitors put on headphones to hear a 30-minute history of the signs of the Zodiac. Also illustrated Are Copernicus space discoveries. The program is in English German and French. This impressive simulated portrayal of the heavens is a must for stargazers and anyone else looking to escape the outside world for a while. The Cost is about $2. Walking around the old town provides a mixture of yesterday and today. St. Mary if Church Church of St. John the Baptist John the evangelist s Cathedral and St. James Church Are some of he More impressive places of worship. Also of interest Are the ruins of the teutonic knights caste which was started in the mid-1200s. The Castle was erected by the knights and served As their ruling Headquarters. In 1454, the people of Torun revolted and took Over the Castle uniting the old and new towns. The area was later destroyed and became a dumping ground. In the 17th Century it was rebuilt and became fortress providing the first line of defense for the City on the right Bank of the Vistula. Today the former fortress is a tourist site with a museum and a favorite area for children to play Torun is located about 125 Miles Northwest of Warsaw. Highway e-75 now runs through the City which was founded in 1233. A visit to the tourist information Center located on the West Side of the old town Hall will offer Many places to visit in Torun. _ _ its address is tourist information Center Rynek Star Miejski 1, town Hall 87-100 Torun Poland. Or Telephone 48 56/109-31 or .237-46?. Is a photos by Dave Casey the View from the town Hall looks past a Church Plaza and commercial strip in the old _. Town to a residential area along the Vistula River above a Church Tower fights for Skyline space with residential High rises. The planetarium in the City of Copernicus birth is a favorite Stop for visitors. A visitor examines a painting in the City museum within the Walls of the town Hall. 14 stripes Magazine december 1, december 1l1994 stripes Magazine 15