THORN, a strongly fortified town in
the province of West Prussia, on the
right bank of the Vistula (here spanned
by a viaduct 1,100 yards long), 31 miles
E. S. E. of Bromberg. Founded by the
Teutonic order in 1231, and a member of
the Hanseatic League, Thorn contains a
town hall and a number of other buildings
remarkable for their beautiful
gables and interiors; became a Polish
town in 1454; and was annexed to Prussia
in 1793, and again finally in 1815. It
became an important fortified stronghold
in the 17th century: was five times
besieged between 1629 and 1813; and since
1878 has been made a fortress of the
first rank by Prussia, the old
fortifications
being removed, and a series of
detached forts built. Copernicus was a
native; and a colossal bronze statute of
him was erected in 1853. An active trade
in corn and timber is carried on. Pop. about 46,000.