Once upon a time…

…my friend invited me to her house. I wanted to see her

place very much, but I didn’t know where exactly she lived…

The presentation&photos by Bogusz Olszewski, ZS UMK Gimnazjum i Liceum Akademickie, Torun

I had no idea that she lived in a part of my city, Torun, which had a reputation of being dangerous and ugly. She lives in Bydgoskie Przedmiescie, one of the oldest quarters of the city. I was scared, but I started walking…

While I was walking, I was sure that I had been told about this place was true. It was dirty, the buildings were old and had not been renovated for ages.

But suddenly I noticed a very interesting place. It was one of the most dilapidated houses I’ve ever seen. But I was enchanted. The place was wonderful, especially the architectural details and the whole look of the house.

I also realized that there were no noisy buses. The street was peaceful and serene. The only means of transport from Bydgoskie Przedmiescie was a tram which, as I found out later, has been there since 1891.

I walked on and I soon spotted another house. It was old and small, and all made of wood. Looking at it, I thought that it was like a little jewel, an architectural treasure which has been completely forgotten and, I supposed, not to be found in any guide book.

Walking around Bydgoskie Przedmiescie I felt as if I were in a strange city. Every building was an architectural masterpiece; even if they were old and ruined, they were still absolutely beautiful.

I knew that I was late for the visit but I just had to go on exploring. The houses were so theatrical. I felt as if I had been taken back to a different century. I wished I could go inside those amazing buildings, but their windows were boarded up and their doors locked.

Finally I got to my friend’s house. I was forty minutes late. When I told her what I had been doing, she looked puzzled. It was her neighbourhood, she said, but she had no idea what I was talking about. So I took her for a walk and showed her the houses that I had liked so much. I think it was the first time she had felt the magic of the place that she has known from childhood.

I’m sure I’ll never forget that day. Bydgoskie Przedmiescie is now one of my favourite parts of Torun, even though my city boasts a most amazing Gothic Old Town. It’s sad that the district has been forgotten and neglected, but perhaps one day people will come back and restore it to its former glory.