Brodnica is a historic town in the picturesque Brodnica Lake District and a good base for people who like water and nature tourism. You can also find many interesting buildings here, mainly from the medieval period.
The city was founded in the 13th century and until the Peace of Toruń in 1466 it was under the rule of the Teutonic Knights. Then a castle was built in Brodnica, of which only the tower has survived to this day. In the outer bailey in the second half of the 16th century, a palace was built, where Princess Anna Wazówna lived in the years 1605-1625. She found herself in Brodnica as a result of a conflict with her brother, King Zygmunt III Vasa. He was a devout Catholic and she was a Lutheran, which led to frequent disputes. Being an educated person, Anna quickly turned Brodnica into a cultural and scientific center, bringing here scholars and artists who could create under her supervision.
In Brodnica, the medieval urban layout with the Market Square and the town hall standing in its central part as well as a network of streets intersecting at right angles have been preserved. To this day, you can also see fragments of the city walls. The museum branches are now located in the historic gothic Granary and the Chełmno Gate.
The vicinity of Brodnica with its numerous lakes and the flowing Drwęca River are perfect for canoeing. There are also many cycling and walking routes that allow you to commune with nature.
