Bielczyny
Bielczyny [bjɛlˈt͡ʂɨnɨ] (German: Bildschön) is a village in the administrative district of Gmina Chełmża, within Toruń County, Kuyavian-Pomeranian Voivodeship, in north-central Poland.[1] It lies approximately 3 kilometres (2 mi) west of Chełmża and 19 km (12 mi) north of Toruń. It is noted for having one of the oldest populations in Poland.[1]
Bielczyny | |
---|---|
Village | |
Bielczyny | |
Coordinates: 53°12′N 18°34′E | |
Country | Poland |
Voivodeship | Kuyavian-Pomeranian |
County | Toruń County |
Gmina | Gmina Chełmża |
A medieval monastery in the town once housed Jutta of Kulmsee, a devout woman aristocrat who became a nun after the death of her husband on pilgrimage to Jerusalem and chose to live in an abandoned building in this town under the protection of the Teutonic Knights, including some her relatives in the State of the Teutonic Order. Later considered the patron saint of Prussia, Jutta was buried in the nearby cathedral at Chełmża (Kulmsee), and both this town and her tomb became pilgrimage destinations.