Bricks

Chełmno

June 12, 2025 – Toruń to Chełmno – 64 kms – Apartament CCH

June 13, 2025 – Chełmno to near Nowy – 63 kms – Toscania Kociewska

June 14, 2025 – near Nowy to Malbork – 64 kms – Hotel Stary Malbork

Gordon: Two nights ago there was a guidebook in our apartment about “the Brick Gothic Trail”. The town we were visiting, Chełmno, was the subject of several pages in the book.

So what is Brick Gothic? A quick internet search revealed that this is an architectural style in parts of Northern Europe, particularly around the Baltic Sea. Due to a shortage of suitable building stone, architecture monuments from the Gothic building period are largely built with brick in this region, rather than the stone which is more common in southern Europe.

We have noticed that most of the castles, churches, town halls, post offices and other monumental buildings we have seen in Poland are built of brick. Compared to the stone structures we have seen in other parts of Europe, brick has some advantages. Left uncovered by stucco, it has a warm colour and a pleasing pattern. It is also possible to add visual interest by using coloured bricks or laying them in different patterns. We have noticed, for example, the most magnificent brick post offices that incorporate courses of black bricks and some clever relief patterns.

Our journey down the Vistula River has taken us from one stop on the Brick Gothic Trail to another. Each of the cities we have passed through – Toruń, Chełmno, Grudziądz – has a surprising assembly of monumental brick buildings, many dating to the 14th century.

Tonight we are staying in Malbork, which is famous for its UNESCO designated brick castle, which by area is the largest in the world. In the late Spring sun it is a visually varied celebration of brick, and a not to be missed stop on the Brick Gothic Trail.