(West Prussian Mennonite Story)

May 10 - 23, 2007

With tour leaders John Ruth and Audrey Voth Petkau

Thursday-Saturday, May 10-12

The tour departs from Pearson International Airport, Toronto, Ontario, on an overnight flight to Frankfurt, Germany. It will be Friday morning when we arrive in Frankfurt and get our connecting flight to Prague, Czech Republic, where we will be met by our coach driver. Prague, the capital of the Czech Republic, is rich in history and culture. On Saturday morning, we will have a three-hour Prague city tour. The wealth of Gothic and Baroque architecture was perhaps inspired by Dvorák and Smetana, both Prague composers. Landmarks such as the National Theatre, Prague Castle, Charles Bridge and the Old Town Hall with its astronomical clock are places we will want to see. Time will be given to explore the shops. Prague is known for its crystal. Optional evening concert.

Sunday-Monday, May 13-14

We will leave Prague and travel to Krakow, Poland where Pope John Paul II was once a cardinal. This city has more than 1,000 buildings and monuments of historic interest. We, of course, will only be able to see highlights. Krakow is so rich in culture and history that some call it the “Rome of the North.” We will be lodged in Krakow for two nights. A highlight on Monday will be a visit to the Wielicka Salt Mine, an unforgettable attraction with its three-mile long underground walk through chambers, caves and chapels, featuring statues sculptured from salt. We also want to visit the Auschwitz Concentration Camp, a grim reminder of the concentration camps set up by Hitler across Europe in his dream to create a perfect society.

Tuesday-Wednesday, May 15-16

Today we will leave Krakow to go to Warsaw. We will see the sites of the city of Warsaw that were nearly leveled in World War II. Although the Old Market Square was destroyed during the war, it was faithfully restored from old plans. A three-hour afternoon city tour will help us understand the rich culture and history of this city as we see the Cathedral of St. John, the Barbican and city wall and the monument to the 1944 uprising, etc. On Wednesday, we will begin our visits to Mennonite sites by driving along the Vistula River. In Deutsch Kasun we will see the former Mennonite Church and cemetery. In Deutsch Wymysle, many Mennonite homes still stand as well as a former church. After lunch, we will continue to Torun and have a walking tour in the historic city (virtually undamaged by WWII). If time permits, visit nearby Mennonite Church which is now a Catholic Church.

Thursday-Friday, May 17-18

We will begin our drive along the Vistula Valley toward Gdansk. En route we will visit Montau, formerly a prosperous Mennonite community, and a church that now serves a Catholic parish; Kulm, once the centre of Teutonic Knights administration; and former Mennonite settlements near Sztum. Dinner will be at the famous restaurant Zum Lachs, founded in 1598 by a Mennonite leader. Four nights’ lodging in Gdansk. Friday is the day to tour Gdansk’s old city centre, the museum in the Town Hall, Church of St. Mary (the oldest brick church in Northern Europe), visit former Mennonite Church in Gdansk (now a Pentecostal Church), and if time permits, nearby former Mennonite villages.

Saturday-Sunday, May 19-20

Neumuensterberg, Arcaded former Mennonite home

We will continue visiting Mennonite historic centres: Fuerstenwerder, where last surviving Mennonite log church burned in 1990, and cemetery maintained by local farmer; Neumuensterberg, with stately arcaded farm homes; Heubuden and its restored cemetery (the village was once the centre of a large Mennonite community. Afternoon tour of the Marienburg Castle, once a fortress of the Teutonic Knights. Sunday we will see more Mennonite centres: Tiegenhagen–outdoor museum of Mennonite life, adjacent former cemetery and church site; Nowy Dwor–Mennonite Museum; Elbing–former Mennonite church, now home to a Polish National Catholic congregation; and Ellerward–home of a large number of Mennonites, restored cemetery and former church site.

Monday-Tuesday, May 21-22

Today is a travel day as we make our way to Berlin. En route we will stop at Strzelce Krajenskie (Friedeberg) which boasts almost intact medieval defensive walls from the 14th century, with gates, towers and a Gothic church from the same period. We will enjoy the scenery as we travel. Tuesday is our day for Berlin. We begin with a three-hour guided city tour, ending at the Gemäldgalerie Museum. You will see Checkpoint Charlie, remnants of the Berlin Wall, the old city hall, Jewish Museum and much more. In the afternoon, we will visit Sans-Souci Palace located in the 740-acre Pottsdam Park. Farewell Dinner.

Wednesday, May 23

This morning on our way to the airport, time will be spent reflecting on our journey as we have traveled together through the Czech Republic, Poland and Germany and what we have learned about the history of the West Prussian Mennonites. Our flight will be from Berlin to Frankfurt and on to Toronto. Our tour has come to an end and we will leave with many memories and new friendships.

Your Tour Leaders

John Ruth, from Harleysville, Pennsylvania, is the storyteller on this tour. He has led similar tours with TourMagination on other occasions. John is a minister, author and filmmaker who enjoys sharing Mennonite history through storytelling.

Audrey Voth Petkau, a member of the team at TourMagination, will co-lead as tour administrator. Audrey has spent many years as a designer and has brought her creative spirit to TM to work as a tour consultant. She will assist you with the preparation for the tour as well as your needs while you travel.

For further information regarding the complete tour fare, please This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it . We would be happy to be of assistance.