Torun was a small settlement in Chelmno Land (Ziemia Chelminska), a western part of Mazovia. in 1266 it was awarded by the duke Conrad of Mazovia as a fief to the Teutonic Knights to be a safeguard against the heathen Prussians.
Some quick facts - The Teutonic Knights built a castle there ( 1230- 31), and the settlement acquired town rights in 1233, relocating from its original site to what is called today "Old Town" in 1236. The city soon became an important medieval trade center, and a member of the Hanseatic League. In 1263, Franciscan monks settled in Torun, and they were followed in 1239 by Dominicans. In 1264 the neighboring Torun New Town was founded. It was a separate town until 1454, when the old and new cities were amalgamated.
Tonight, we are playing at a very beautiful venue called the Lizard King. More later but so far my impressions of this country and the people are excellent. I would like to come back. Our sympathies and hearts go out to the victims and families of the terrible underground mining accident here on friday, which caused our show to be cancelled yesterday due to a day of mourning in this deeply religious country.
~ A.P.
