TORUN

German Thorn, city, capital of Torun wojewdztwo (province), north-central Poland, on the Vistula River. A river port, rail and road junction, and cultural centre, it is the birthplace (1473) of the astronomer Nicolaus Copernicus (Polish: Mikolaj Kopernik) and seat of Nicolaus Copernicus University (founded 1945), as well as several scientific societies, museums, and two theatres. The 13th-century Church of St. John contains one of the largest bells in Poland. Traditional industries include wool spinning and the baking of gingerbread; newer industrial development has made Torun known for its precision instruments, electronics, synthetic fibre and textiles produced at the Elano factory, phosphate fertilizers, and seed-export industries. An important medieval trade centre, Torun was ceded to the Teutonic Knights, who built a castle there (123031). The settlement acquired town rights in 1233, and the present town was laid out in 1236. During the 14th century, Torun joined the Hanseatic League and sailed its own merchant fleet in trade with the Netherlands. In 1454 Teutonic rule was overthrown, and in 1466 Torun was declared a free city under Polish administration. It flourished through economic favours bestowed upon it by a succession of Polish kings. In 1793 it was seized by Prussia; it was returned to Poland in 1919. Pop. (1990 est.) 200,800.