Once home to the famous astronomer Nicolaus Copernicus, Frombork is a small town overlooking the Vistula Lagoon in northern Poland. It has been nicknamed the “Jewel of Warmia” due to its abundance of historical sites and hosts an annual festival dedicated to organ music in the summertime.
Things to do in Frombork
You can see where one of the world’s greatest astronomers lived and worked at the Nicolaus Copernicus Museum, which occupies an ensemble of religious buildings that date back to the 14th century. In addition to copies of his most famous works, there are 18th-century astronomical instruments and devices once used by Copernicus on display. Archaeological findings and decorative arts from Frombork are also exhibited.
Adjacent is the Frombork Cathedral, a Brick Gothic house of worship where Nicolaus Copernicus worked as a canon. Dating back to the 14th century, it is dedicated to Saint Andrew and houses religious frescoes painted by Justus Bornowski. At the base of the bell tower is a small planetarium and a Foucault’s pendulum used to demonstrate the Earth’s rotation.
Also nearby is the Hospital of the Holy Spirit, which was originally erected from wooden logs in the 16th century. The current structure dates from the early 18th century and lies alongside a stone chapel dedicated to St. Anne. Today, the hospital houses a small museum dedicated to the history of medicine in the region. In its surroundings is a garden planted with medicinal herbs.
Getting around Frombork
Frombork is around an hour’s drive from Gdansk and 1.5 hours from Gdansk Lech Walesa Airport, which has flights to destinations across Europe. Regular buses connect to Frombork and the town is compact enough to explore on foot. Renting a car is the most convenient way of exploring the surrounding region.