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Top 10 Fascinating Facts about Old Market Square Warsaw

The Old Market Square is the centre and oldest part of the Old Town located in Warsaw, Poland. The market square was the pearl of the town and the heart of all of Warsaw until the end of the 18^th century. It was the hub of all activities and people of different trades met in this place and did business together.

Therefore, this article will explore some fascinating facts about the old market square that will draw a vivid picture for the reader as to how life was in the late eighteenth century. Furthermore, the article will be critical in increasing the knowledge the reader has about this tourist attraction site.

1 It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site

The Warsaw uprising in 1944 resulted in a lot of damage in that 85% of the historic buildings in Warsaw were destroyed by the Nazi troops. After the war was over, the residents of the town started a five-year reconstruction campaign that resulted in today’s spectacular restoration of the Old Town with its palaces, churches and the old marketplace.

Therefore, having restored the old town, it set an outstanding example of how something that was horrifically destroyed could be reconstructed into what it was like before. This made it to be a UNESCO World Heritage Site as it shows how history can be well preserved.

2 The mermaid found at the square

The figure of a mermaid which is also in the coat of arms of the city is the first thing that one notices when they visit the old market square. The mermaid is used as a form of visual communication as it exists in different forms all around the city.

The mermaid monument in Old Town dates from the nineteenth century and was built in tandem with the city’s new water distribution system. The fountains that emerged were decorated with figures related to marine life – this one, however, had a special meaning because it also represents Warsaw. Throughout the years, the sculpture moved several times before returning to the Old Town in 1999.

3 The spectacular cathedral

While visiting the old market square, a tourist should definitely explore the arch cathedral found at the square. It is one of the oldest churches in Poland and plays a critical role in the history of the country in that it was where the king’s marriages, funerals and coronations were held. The cathedral also served as the venue for the attestation of the constitution in Poland.

The cathedral was constructed in the 14^th century and the gothic style was employed. It was later changed and transformed into a church with baroque decorations in the 19^th century. Furthermore, the cathedral was destroyed in 1944 but like other historical buildings in the square, it was restored back to its glory.

4 The mermaid statue at the market square is not the original one

So, while a mermaid statue remains in Old Town Square, it is not the original. This is a new statue that was installed here in 2008. The original mermaid statue is currently on display in the Museum of Warsaw, which is also in Old Town Square, so there are two mermaid statues in the square.

This is interesting in that one would not expect that the mermaid statue that is at the square is not the original one. Furthermore, there are two that give the tourist a chance to explore the museum as well.

5 The old town square does not have a town hall

Perhaps the oddest feature of Warsaw’s Old Town Square is the absence of a Town Hall. This is unheard of in most Polish towns and cities, where the town hall is arguably the most important structure and focal point of the Old Town Square. Large cities like Opole, Lublin, and Pozna each have a distinct and easily identifiable town hall in their main square.

 Even smaller Polish cities like Starogard Gdaski, Kocian, and Zamo have beautiful town halls, but Warsaw does not. There was, in fact, a town hall here. It was built in 1429, but it was completely demolished in 1817 and never rebuilt. It had four sides and a clock tower, but it is no longer standing.

6 Public executions were done at the market square

Today this square is a place of peace and quiet without any protests. But in the Middle Ages, it was the site of horrific public executions. In the 17th century and 18th centuries, public beheadings took place on the square.

In particular, Konstanty Kotowski, who was killed in the assassination of Winsentigoszewski on the field in 1662, is famous. Later, in 1794, the leader of the Targovica Union was against the Polish Constitution. He was hung in front of the City Hall. There is no evidence or monument of such an event in Old Town Square today.

7 Motorised vehicles are not allowed access to the square

The old town square is closed for motorised vehicles which means that vehicular traffic is not allowed. However, there are exceptions like vans and cars that deliver food to cafes that are inside the square and ambulances as well as police cars. In doing so, it gives the tourists a chance to explore the square without feeling suffocated.

8 All four sides of the square have names

All four sides of the old market square have their names. The sides are named after 18^th-century Polish politicians. On the north side, there is the Strona Dekert which was named after Jan Dekert. On the south side, there is Strona Zakrzewskiego, on the east side there is Strona Barssa and on the west side there is Strona Higo Kołłątaja.

9 The buildings at the market square have their addresses on different streets

Even though it is a single square, there are nine different addresses at the market square. This is because every corner of the square has two streets that meet and end at the square. The first numbered building on each corner is on each of these eight streets. However, all apartments overlooking the square only have the address Rynek Stary Miasto (Old Town Square). The other eight street names are Ulica Celna, Ulica Jezuicka, Ulica Kamienne Schodki, Ulica Krzywe Koło, Ulica Nowomiejska, Ulica Wąski Dunaj, Ulica Zapiecek and Ulica Świętojańska.

10 Notable people have been spotted eating at the square

The U Fukiera restaurant found here features elegant and traditional cuisine and dates back to 1810. The restaurant is now owned and run by Magda Gessler who is a famous Polish chef. Over the years, celebrities such as Claudia Schiffer have dined here and still do, and several of their photos hang on the walls. The restaurant offers a great selection of authentic Polish cuisine to be enjoyed in a truly exquisite setting