Ah, Toruń! A city where history and science merge and the smell of gingerbread wafts through the air… What better place to set off on a journey towards the stars? We, as lovers of discovering new places, simply had to visit one of its brightest spots – the Planetarium. It is, after all, a place where the cosmos literally stands before you, tempting you with unforgettable screenings and interactive attractions ideal for the whole family.

When planning our trip, we thought about everything: opening hours, ticket prices, what the price list actually hides… We knew one thing: a visit to the Toruń Planetarium is an absolute must on our itinerary. Thanks to positive reviews from other travellers and photos available on the web, we only confirmed this conviction. And so, having packed up the map and checked the car park, we set off to meet the stars! (Which, by the way, turned out to be quite exciting).

From gas tank to space voyage: the fascinating metamorphosis of a Torun building

The history of this remarkable place is, frankly, as fascinating as space travel itself. Its detailed description begins in the 19th century. The Planetarium building in Toruń has a truly colourful past, dating back to the 19th century. It is a building with a remarkable metamorphosis that shows how an industrial past, sometimes forgotten, can become a surprising gateway to cosmic mysteries. Isn’t it fascinating?

The current Toruń Planetarium is housed in the structure of a former gas tank. It was built in 1860 and its architecture, modelled on gasworks in Berlin, still refers to the Gothic, which gives it a special character. Originally, between 1860 and 1890, three such gas tanks were built on the site of the former Franciscan garden – the same one that belonged to the monastery that was demolished in the early 19th century. They were crucial for the city of Toruń, as they supplied Toruń with gas energy to light the streets. Interestingly, one of the tanks also produced gas for the military, used to fill balloons.

The 1860 tank was notable for being the only one in the city encased in brick. The other two, less solid structures, were demolished in 1927, but the oldest one, the brick one, survived. And yet, the idea of establishing a planetarium in Toruń came even before World War II! In 1954, the Polish Society of Astronomy Admirers (PTMA) proposed the establishment of such a facility, and there were even plans to build it in a completely different place – in Bydgoski Przedmieście.

Although the support of the municipal and provincial authorities was obtained already in 1961, the project, for some reason, was not included in the celebrations of the 500th anniversary of Nicolaus Copernicus’ birth in 1973. This was a pity, as it would have been a beautiful historical bracket. It was not until the late 1970s that the Nicolaus Copernicus House Museum, a division of the District Museum in Toruń, joined the work on building the planetarium. Planning permission was granted in 1981, the foundation stone was laid in 1984, and the actual construction work… well, it didn’t start until 1990. The adaptation of the old gas tank into a planetarium began in 1989, and the renovation of the building took place between 1984 and 1993. This shows that such projects take time and patience.

The Planetarium was officially opened on 17 February 1994. It was performed by docent Wacław Dziewulski, grandson of the facility’s patron, Professor Władysław Dziewulski. The first public show was held two days later, on 19 February 1994, exactly on the anniversary of the birth of Nicolaus Copernicus – isn’t that symbolic? The creator and first director of the Planetarium was Lucjan Broniewicz. And note: in its first year of operation, the facility was visited by an impressive 100,000 visitors! After Lucjan Broniewicz’s death in 2011, his wife Anna took over as director. In 2012, the planetarium was renamed the Centre for the Popularisation of the Cosmos “Planetarium – Toruń”. In January 2014, the facility switched completely to a digital fulldome projection system, and in January 2023, a new SKYMASTER ZKP4 LED projector was installed, enabling it to display, a bagatelle, 7,000 stars!

What awaits visitors? Attractions and exhibitions

Planetarium Toruń is not just a screening room, oh no! It is also a wonderful, often very imaginative, interactive exhibitions. Each of them takes visitors to a different, fascinating world – be it to Mars, the depths of the Earth or a sentimental journey through the Solar System. It’s the perfect place to explore the mysteries of space and our planet, especially with kids.

MARS Base#17: space exploration for the youngest cosmonauts

For children and young people, the MARS#17 Base exhibition is a real treat: an interactive space arranged in the form of a space base that allows you to feel, at least for a moment, like a real space conqueror preparing for life on another planet. It opened on 12 February 2018, replacing the previous Orbitarium exhibition.

Base MARS#17 is a great opportunity to learn about the challenges and realities of life on another planet in an accessible and engaging way. Sure, it’s simplistic, but nevertheless it gives you food for thought. It’s one of the main attractions for children at the Planetarium and, from our observations, it’s enduringly popular. Although… if you’re ready for your little astronaut to want to stay there overnight, you already know what you’re signing up for!

Geodium: an interactive journey through the fascinating world of the Earth, right underfoot

Another popular exhibition at the Planetarium is the Geodium. Opened on 22 April 2012, the Geodium room is entirely, well, dedicated to our planet, the Earth. This interactive exhibition allows you to explore the processes taking place both inside the Earth and on its surface.

The Geodium is located within the planetarium and, like the screenings, has designated entry times. So, when planning your visit, keep this detail in mind so that you are not standing outside the door. It’s a great addition to the space journey, reminding us of the wonders we have right under our feet. And it is here, despite the cosmic context, that we can appreciate the beauty of our own planet.

Do you remember the Orbitarium? A virtual expedition through the Solar System (memories of the past)

Although no longer available, it is worth mentioning the Orbitarium room, which was the first interactive exhibition at the Toruń Planetarium. It opened on 26 June 2005 and made it possible to recreate the phenomena taking place in the Universe. For example, it was possible to find out how much a man would weigh on the Moon (which, let’s not hide, is always fun). Also hanging in the Orbitarium was a model of the famous Cassini-Huygens space probe, sent by NASA towards Saturn in 1997. The Orbitarium was open until 2 September 2017, and although it is no longer there, it remains an important, nostalgic part of the Planetarium’s history. Perhaps something equally interesting will one day replace it?

The projection room: where film screenings take viewers deep into the cosmos

The heart of every planetarium is, of course, the projection room, and the one in Toruń is truly impressive. It is here, on a huge hemispherical screen, that those magical film screenings take place for which most of us visit this place. The auditorium is located on the second floor of the building.

The projection technology here has evolved over the years, and strongly – from simply combining slides into panoramas (May 1995), to an ‘all-sky’ system set up in November 1997, to a complete transition to a state-of-the-art digital fulldome projection system in January 2014. The latest projector, installed in January 2023, is capable of projecting, as we mentioned, up to 7,000 stars, creating an extremely, even disturbingly, realistic impression of the night sky. The séances are the main reason we visit the Planetarium – they are engaging, beautiful and, importantly, educational.

Séances and programmes: the stars at everyone’s fingertips

The range of séances on offer at the Toruń Planetarium is, it must be said, really extensive and tailored to different age groups. Whether you are a young explorer or an adult astronomy enthusiast, you will find something for everyone. Since 1994, the Planetarium has produced, mind you, as many as 76 different screenings! Pretty impressive, isn’t it?

“A wonderful journey”: the first step into space for the youngest visitors

One of the séances specifically dedicated to children aged 4 to 10 years is “Miraculous Journey”. We remember how our little Johnny (the same one who waited for all the planets) really wanted to go to this very screening. It is a light and accessible way to be introduced to the world of stars and planets, ideal for a first encounter with the planetarium. The children’s screenings are extremely popular, as can be seen from the attendance figures.

A wealth of screenings: for everyone who looks up

As we have already mentioned, the repertoire of séances is impressive. The first séance held at the Planetarium, by the way, was entitled ‘And yet it spins…’, which in the context of Toruń and Copernicus is simply brilliant. It told the story of the sky, the stars and prominent figures associated with astronomy, such as Nicolaus Copernicus and Aleksander Wolszczan. Today you will find screenings about the Solar System, about black holes, about the history of the Universe and… you could go on and on. It is the variety of programmes and the generally positive reviews that make it worthwhile to return to Toruń. Screening times vary, so when planning a visit, it is worth checking the current schedule. And since the children’s screenings hours tend to be the busiest, we advise you to think about buying tickets in advance.

“Music under the Stars”: when science meets art

In the late 1990s and early 2000s, the Planetarium organised a unique programme called “Music under the Stars”. This was an unusual combination of an astronomical show with the works of electronic music performers such as Jean-Michel Jarre and Tangerine Dream. Based on this programme, the Planetarium also organised concerts, with performances by Jozef Skrzek and Daniel Bloom, among others. This shows that the Planetarium can, and does, successfully combine science and art to create unforgettable events. As my guide friend says, ‘Toruń has always been able to surprise, and the Planetarium is the best example of this’.

Toruń Planetarium in the context of the city: where Copernicus meets the 21st century

The Planetarium is inextricably linked to Toruń – a city that, after all, has such strong cosmic connotations in itself. It is one of the most important points on the tourist map of this beautiful city.

Toruń – City of Stars: how did Copernicus shape the place?

Toruń is known as the ‘City of Stars’ and owes this, of course, to its most famous resident – Nicolaus Copernicus. His revolutionary work, which “stopped the Sun and moved the Earth”, had a huge impact on the development of astronomy and continues to inspire successive generations to this day. No wonder, then, that such a magnificent planetarium was built in Copernicus’ city, which, as it were, continues the tradition of popularising knowledge about the cosmos. The facility’s patron, by the way, is another eminent astronomer, Władysław Dziewulski, professor at Stefan Batory University in Vilnius and co-founder of Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń and the Astronomical Observatory in Piwnice. This link between the city, Copernicus, the Planetarium and modern science is simply tangible.

Planetarium as a key tourist attraction in Toruń

The Toruń Planetarium is undoubtedly one of the region’s most important tourist attractions. The numbers speak for themselves – in its first year of operation, the Planetarium was visited by the aforementioned 100,000 visitors, and by 2022 this figure had risen to 290,196! The facility has received many accolades, which only confirms its importance, including the Certificate of the Polish Tourist Organisation in 2010, the title of Ambassador of Toruń Tourism in 2016, and in 2019, on the occasion of its 25th anniversary, the ‘Thorunium’ Medal. This is proof of how highly regarded and popular the Toruń Planetarium is, not only among space enthusiasts.

Toruń: the perfect plan for the weekend? Planetarium and what’s next!

A visit to the Planetarium is, of course, a great idea to spend time in Toruń, but the city offers so many other great attractions that you can confidently combine them as part of a longer weekend getaway. Our tour of Toruń always includes a few key points, as it is impossible to see everything at once. In addition to the cosmic journey in the Planetarium, you can, for example, visit:

• The Living Gingerbread Museum, where you will learn about the recipe and history of Toruń’s gingerbread (one of our friends planned to visit it, and they were delighted! We love gingerbread ourselves too).
• The Młyn Wiedzy (Knowledge Mill) Centre of Modernity – this is a great science centre that we also planned to visit, but you have to remember that it was open until 5pm, so you should plan your time well in order to see everything.
• House of Torun Legends – this is a super attraction, especially for kids, combining stories with interactive presentations, we went and it was funny.
• Nicolaus Copernicus Museum – a must in Copernicus’ city.
• Museum of Travellers – for those who love to explore the world.
• Museum of Fear – if you have older children, this could be… well, an interesting and even a little scary option.

A walk through the picturesque streets of the Old Town is an absolute must, no doubt about it. And I beg you, don’t forget to try the ice cream – someone once recommended the ones from the Lenkiewicz patisserie (and he was right!) – and, of course, buy the traditional gingerbread as souvenirs! When planning your visit, you should also, unfortunately, think about parking, especially in the centre of Toruń it can be cramped, and familiarise yourself with a map of the city so that you can move efficiently between the attractions, which sometimes takes, or actually took, us quite a while. Lidka, whom we know, often recommends various attractions in Toruń for children, which is very helpful for parents. Toruń is also home to the Astronomical Observatory of the Nicolaus Copernicus University, which has a radio telescope that is one of the largest in Central and Eastern Europe, which further, as it were, underlines the city’s astronomical importance in the world of science. We also remember the times when we attended Planetarium screenings in kindergarten and school, which shows how long the facility has been educating and entertaining successive generations of Poles. Staying overnight in a place like Mercure Toruń Centrum, which is part of a group that trains its staff in child safety, adds a certain sense of calm during family trips, which is important.

Planetarium Toruń compared to other facilities in Poland

We have some great planetariums and science centres in Poland, which is gratifying. And Toruń’s institution occupies a significant, even exceptional, position in this group. It is worth seeing how it compares with others in order to appreciate its specificity.

How does the Toruń Planetarium compare with others in Poland?

The Planetarium in Toruń is widely regarded as one of the four largest in Poland, along with those located in Chorzów, Olsztyn and Warsaw’s Heavens of Copernicus Planetarium. Each of these, of course, has its own unique features and séances, but Toruń’s, with its rich history, unusual location and strong links to the figure of Copernicus, certainly has a special place on the map of Polish astronomical attractions. Our opinions after a visit, like those of many other visitors, are always positive, because the quality of the projections and screenings, especially after modernisation, is at a very high level.

Planetariums and other scientific attractions: complementary worlds

In addition to planetariums, we have many other science centres in Poland, such as the famous Copernicus Science Centre in Warsaw, Experiment in Gdynia, or the aforementioned Młyn Wiedzy in Toruń itself. The Toruń Planetarium, however, focuses mainly on astronomy and earth sciences (thanks to its Geodium exhibition), while science centres usually cover a wider, more interdisciplinary range of fields. Each type of facility offers different experiences, and a visit to a planetarium is such a specific journey, deeply focused on admiring and exploring the cosmos. Thus, Młyn Wiedzy in Toruń, as a science centre, is a great complement to the Planetarium’s offer – you can spend a day exploring the Earth and the cosmos, and the next day experimenting with physics or biology.

Planning a visit: practical tips and visitors’ opinions

Your and our experiences of visits to the Toruń Planetarium are, needless to say, the best calling card for this place. We have gathered some information and hints to help you plan your own cosmic adventure in the City of Copernicus. In the age of the internet and www, planning is easier. Remember also that this is one of the most interesting places in Poland (pl). You will find many positive reviews online, as well as reviews from other visitors. You can also watch fragments of screenings on YouTube. After all, who wouldn’t want to look up at the stars, right?

What do visitors say? Experiences and opinions about Planetarium Toruń

The general feedback about Planetarium Toruń is, as already punctuated in the text, very positive. Guests invariably praise the quality of the screenings, the state-of-the-art equipment and, above all, the accessible, often entertaining way in which knowledge about the cosmos is conveyed. However, we remember an opinion that showed how important, even crucial, it is to tailor the screening to the age and specific expectations of the viewer. One Johnny, after seeing the Wonderful Journey screening, was, despite his general enjoyment of the outing, somewhat disappointed, as he had expected, naturally for a child, to see the *whole* Solar System, and noticed the absence of four planets in this particular, somewhat simplistic presentation for toddlers, and this worried him. This goes to show that even the most interesting children’s films may not fulfil all, sometimes very specific, children’s ideas about the cosmos, but the overall experience and the opportunity to see the stars and planets on such a huge screen usually, thankfully, prevails, leaving a positive impression. Your testimonials often emphasise that it’s just a great place for a family outing, regardless of minor imperfections.

How do you plan a visit to the Toruń Planetarium? Step by step to the stars

To make your visit to the Planetarium Toruń a truly successful and unforgettable one, it is advisable to plan it a little in advance, as spontaneity can be risky in tourism, especially in popular destinations.

• Firstly, check the Planetarium’s address and current opening hours, as well as the detailed schedule of screenings and exhibitions, as these may change.
• Tickets to the Toruń Planetarium can, traditionally, be purchased online or on site. Tickets for visitors from abroad are also available, although the online booking system is in Polish. However, due to the great popularity, especially of the children’s hour screenings, we recommend buying online, it saves nerves and time, believe me.
• Be sure to check the price list to see how much the tickets cost and whether you or your children are entitled to concessionary tickets – it is worth checking exactly for whom they are intended and what proof of concession you will need. Ticket prices vary depending on the screening and type of ticket (normal, concession), and it’s worth knowing the criteria for concessions in advance.
• Be prepared for the interactive exhibitions Base MARS#17 and Geodium – it’s worth allocating a reasonable amount of time to them, at least a few tens of minutes for each. Also remember that the Geodium has fixed entry times, so you’ll need to coordinate this with the rest of your schedule.
• Don’t forget about the often troublesome issue of parking, especially if you arrive by car. In the centre of Toruń it can be, to put it mildly, cramped and parking spaces are scarce, which can be frustrating.
• If you are planning a longer stay in Toruń, be sure to check out our suggested itinerary around Toruń, linking the Planetarium with other attractions – a map of the city will be absolutely essential for moving between them.

A visit to the Toruń Planetarium: an unforgettable experience for everyone

In summary, a visit to the Władysław Dziewulski Planetarium in Toruń is a true journey into space which, fortunately, does not require leaving our beautiful planet Earth. It is a place where science meets pure, childish (and adult!) fascination, and anyone, regardless of age or previous knowledge, can feel a thrill at the sight of distant galaxies, colourful nebulae or the majestic rings of Saturn, which is simply magical. Whether you are interested in the history of the building, fascinated by modern projection technology or simply want to spend an interesting and educational time with your family, Planetarium Toruń has something special to offer. It is education and entertainment at its best, which we are convinced will stay in your memory for a long time, inspiring you to ask more questions about the Universe. After all… how many mysteries are yet to be discovered?