TORUN - Based mainly on observations made with the naked eye, Nicolaus Copernicus revolutionized the world of astronomy and science - and consequently that of human thought - exposing his heliocentric theory, that is, which placed the Sun and not the Earth at the center of the Universe.
Born in Toruń in Poland on February 19, 1473, he dedicated his entire life to observing, annotating and calculating the orbits of the planets of the solar system with the aim of creating and perfecting his theory of him.
For the 550th birthday of the astronomer, Poland has created two thematic itineraries, off the traditional tourist itineraries, in the places that have helped shape his life and his education.
The first route starts from the birthplace of Toruń, a UNESCO heritage site, an intact treasure trove of Gothic art and architecture that offers visitors one surprise after another.
From the medieval walls that surround the center to the old fourteenth-century town hall, in front of which stands the monument to Copernicus erected in 1853, and the majestic bulk of the cathedral of Saints John the Baptist and John the Evangelist.
Right between the town hall and the cathedral is ulica Kopernika, the street where, at number 15/17, stands the house where Copernicus was born and lived.
Today his home has been transformed into a museum with antique furnishings and manuscripts, as well as an interesting audiovisual presentation on the places frequented by the astronomer in the city.
The tour continues in Krakow, the ancient capital of Poland where Copernicus settled in 1941 to undertake astronomy studies at the Jagiellonian University.
Even today, the Colegium Maius houses a Copernicus room in which all the relics and instruments used by the astronomer during his work are found, as well as the famous autographed manuscript De Rivolutionibus Orbium Caelestium.
Copernicus often traveled to Danzig, where he visited family members and where he had a troubled love affair with Anne Schilling, the Dutch woman Copernicus managed to bring with him to Frombork as a governess.
Anne and Niccolo's house in Gdansk - Kamienica Gotyk - is one of the most charming in the city, among the few surviving medieval structures in the historic centre;
today it is a charming hotel behind the basilica of Santa Maria,
at number 1 of ulica Mariacka, where on the ground floor there is a small museum on Copernicus.
The path in the footsteps of the astronomer ends in Warsaw, where the Centrum Nauki Kopernik is located, the largest scientific center in the country dedicated to Copernicus.
The museum is an interactive experience for all the family, with experimental workshops, the park of discoverers and, of course, a modern planetarium with six interactive exhibits and four workshops.
The second thematic route crosses the region of Warmia and Masuria for 300 km in the footsteps of Copernicus, in northeastern Poland.
It is a land of large lakes, wild waterways, perfect for kayak lovers, and windy beaches frequented by surfers.
It is here that Copernicus spent most of his life as a member of the Warmian Chapter.
Between Olsztyn, Lidzbark Warmiński and Frombork the scientist worked on his theory, writing and publishing the texts that would change the world of astronomy forever.
In the small town of Lidzbark Warmiński, surrounded by lush nature and dotted with lakes and streams, Copernicus completed the drafting of his first treatise, the Commentariolus, in 1509.
He spent 7 years in the bishop's palace, a square red brick fortress owned by his uncle.
In Olsztyn, where Copernicus stayed between 1516 and 1521 as commander, he successfully coordinated the defense of the city during the siege by the Teutonic Knights.
Furthermore, in Olsztyn castle, he created the astronomical tables necessary to understand the motion of the planets, still preserved here today.
The city is also home to one of the largest planetariums in Poland, in honor of the scientist, and an astronomical observatory made from a 19th-century water tower.
The last stop is Frombork,
where Copernicus completed the treatise De Rivolutionibus Orbium Caelestium and where he died in 1543. His remains are kept in the cathedral, but the memory of the great scientist is more alive than ever in the museum dedicated to him in the city center and in the Astronomical Park, located 2km north, on a hill, with several stargazing locations and two panoramic terraces.
Finally, in Frombork, he decided to pay homage to Copernicus, dedicating a bench to him, right next to the fountains in the market square.
with different locations for observing the stars and with two panoramic terraces.
Finally, in Frombork, he decided to pay homage to Copernicus, dedicating a bench to him, right next to the fountains in the market square.
with different locations for observing the stars and with two panoramic terraces.
Finally, in Frombork, he decided to pay homage to Copernicus, dedicating a bench to him, right next to the fountains in the market square.
For more information: polonia.travel/it (ANSA).