The 7.2-tonne Tuba Dei bell, dating to about 1500, was rung using a foot-operated platform in the tower of St. Johns' Cathedral, state news agency PAP reported.
Among those who took part in the ceremony earlier this week were pole vaulter Piotr Lisek, heptathlete Adrianna Sułek-Schubert and 400m runner Marika Popowicz-Drapała.
Popowicz-Drapała described the experience as "mystical," while Lisek said his heart "skipped a beat," calling it a "fantastic feeling."
Toruń Mayor Paweł Gulewski said the city was preparing to host the championships on March 20-22 and ensure the event meets the highest standards.
He said a new track surface would be installed at the Toruń Arena and voiced hope it would lead to top performances.
"We are expecting records to be broken," Gulewski said.
Top regional government official Piotr Całbecki said several thousand visitors are expected for the championships, along with a series of accompanying events, including meetings with athletes and debates on health, nutrition, physical education, ecology, tourism and heritage.
The athletes also toured Toruń's Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage site, including the birthplace of astronomer Nicolaus Copernicus.
Toruń's Old Town district. Photo: Takasamarasa, CC BY 3.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0>, via Wikimedia Commons
The Tuba Dei, with a diameter of about 2 metres, is Poland’s largest medieval bell and the third-largest bell in the country, the PAP news agency reported.
It is rung only a few times a year, typically on major holidays and special occasions.
The Cathedral of St. John the Baptist and St. John the Evangelist is a Gothic landmark that reflects Toruń's medieval heritage.
(pm/gs)
Source: PAP