Bydgoszcz–Toruń metropolitan area

Bydgoszcz–Toruń metropolitan area(Polish:bydgosko-toruński obszar metropolitalny) is the name of the bi-polarmetropolitan areain the middle of theVistulariver centered on the cities ofBydgoszczandToruńin north-centralPoland. The distance between the built-up areas of the cities is about 30 km. They are the administrative capitals and economic centers ofKuyavian-Pomeranian Voivodeship.
Despite the fact that these two cities are integrating gradually, they have been in a great competition through the centuries.In September 2004 the Medical Academy in Bydgoszcz joinedToruń Universityas Collegium Medicum in Bydgoszcz. Although not without some controversy, this is usually considered as an important step in the integration process.
Depending on the calculation method and on what is the exact area taken into consideration, the total population varies from between about 600,000 and 800,000 inhabitants.
The total population of the two biggest cities combined (Bydgoszcz+ Toruń), excluding adjacent communities:
Historically, Bydgoszcz and Toruń were the most importantroyal citiesin the area. Both cities hosted sessions of the Polish Parliament, i.e. Bydgoszcz in 1520, and Toruń in 1576 and 1626.It is also wherePeaces of ThornandTreaty of Brombergwere signed. The two were parts of different administrative units for centuries, starting as Polish and Teutonic settlements, then becoming the biggest cities ofInowrocław VoivodeshipandChełmno Voivodeshipin thePolish-Lithuanian Commonwealthand in Germany ofBromberg district(Province Posen) andMarienwerder district(West Prussia).
This would change only in the year of 1938, when Bydgoszcz was moved from the Poznań to the Pomeranian Voivodeship, soon to take the role of the capital of the whole region.
The postwar growth of the cities and the new political administrative landscape led to application of the term "Bydgoszcz-Toruń metropolitan area" which first appeared in the 1960s.
The main sights of the agglomeration are the old towns of Bydgoszcz and Toruń, with the latter listed as aWorld Heritage Site. The localspa townisCiechocinek, and itsgraduation towers, saline and spa parks are declared aHistoric Monument of Poland.
The metropolitan area is rich in historic architecture ranging fromRomanesqueandGothic architecturetoRenaissance,BaroqueandArt Nouveau. There are also several castles and palaces, includingDybów,Zamek Bierzgłowski,Ostromecko,Żołędowo. The Dybów Castle was the place where in 1454 KingCasimir IV Jagiellonissued the famousStatutes of Nieszawa, covering a set of privileges for thePolish nobility; an event that is regarded as the birth of the noble democracy in Poland, which lasted until the late-18th-centuryPartitions of Poland.
Bydgoszcz and Toruń host major museums and art galleries, including theLeon Wyczółkowski Regional Museumin Bydgoszcz andDistrict Museum in Toruń. The more unique museums include:
Motorcycle speedway,basketballandvolleyballenjoy the largest following in the metropolitan area. TheKS ToruńandPolonia Bydgoszczclubs are among the most accomplished speedway clubs in the country and contest thePomeranian-Kuyavian Derby, one of the fiercest speedway rivalries.