Młyn Wiedzy (Mill of Knowledge) Science Center

Młyn Wiedzy (say "mwin VYED-zih," meaning "Mill of Knowledge") is Toruń's hands-on science center, set inside the restored red-brick Richter Mills on ul. Łokietka. Instead of glass cases, you get exhibits to spin, push and experiment with, plus workshops and labs. It's one of the best things to do in Toruń with kids, and a good counterweight to the medieval Old Town. In fall and winter 2026/27, though, parts of it are being rebuilt, so check what's open before you go.

From flour mill to science center

Toruń is a UNESCO-listed Hanseatic city on the Vistula River, about 130 miles (210 km) northwest of Warsaw and famous as Copernicus's birthplace. The Richter Mills were built around the turn of the 20th century. After a full restoration, the science center opened here on November 9, 2013, with about 54,000 sq ft (5,000 m²) of space over six floors. A second building, the Innovative Education Center (MW2), followed in December 2019, largely funded by the European Union.

What to see

The main building (MW1) holds the interactive permanent and temporary exhibitions. Permanent galleries have included "O obrotach" ("On Rotation," a nod to Copernicus) and the interdisciplinary "IDEE." Since March 17, 2026, the temporary show "The Heart – A Perfect Pump" has offered 23 interactive exhibits.

What's different in the 2026/27 season:

• The "River" exhibit (a model river from source to mouth) is being replaced by a new exhibition, "Na Fali" ("On the Wave"), due to open in December 2026.
• The MW2 building and its "Paths of Growing Up" exhibition are closed for renovation from October 1, 2026.

There are also workshops and lab sessions (60 or 120 minutes), mostly for groups.

Is it worth visiting?

Yes, if you're traveling with school-age kids or teens, or you just like interactive science. Plan 2–3 hours. Good news for international visitors: labels on the permanent exhibitions are in Polish, English and Braille, though a few stations are in Polish only. There's a parent-and-child room and lockers on the ground floor.

Opening hours and tickets

As of October 2026:

• MW1: closed Mondays; Tuesday–Friday 9 a.m.–3 p.m., Saturday–Sunday 11 a.m.–5 p.m. Ticket sales end 30 minutes before closing.
• Closed December 21–26, December 31 and January 1; weekend hours apply December 27–30 and January 2–6.
• Winter school break (January 31 – February 15): Tuesday–Friday 9 a.m.–5 p.m., weekends 11 a.m.–5 p.m.
• Tickets for MW1 exhibitions: 33 PLN standard, 27 PLN reduced, 90 PLN family ticket (up to four people); under-2s free. Prices are in Polish złoty.
• Online tickets must be bought by the day before your visit; on the day itself, tickets are sold only at the box office.

Address: ul. Władysława Łokietka 5; phone +48 56 690 49 90.

How to get there

The center is outside the Old Town, in the northeastern part of the city. Unlike the Old Town, it has free parking right in front for cars and buses, plus bike racks. The nearest train station is Toruń Wschodni (Toruń East). Trains from Warsaw to Toruń take roughly 2.5–3 hours, and the nearest airport is Bydgoszcz, about 25–30 miles (40–50 km) away. Local trams and buses can be planned in the "Jak dojadę?" app.

Nearby

• The Old Town, with the Town Hall and Copernicus House
• Toruń Planetarium, for a full science day
• The ruins of the Teutonic Knights' castle