The Great Market Square is one of the most magnificent squares in Polish but also European architecture. Preserving, despite the passage of centuries, compositional and aesthetic values, emphasises the exceptionality of the place.
An ideal square of 100 x 100m is encircled by shadowy arcades.It is dominated by the magnificent Town Hall Tower biult in 1591 and reconstructed in the middle of the 17th centurry. Contrary to the contemporary customs the Town Hall was erected not in very centre of the Market Square but within one row with the tenement-houses. This was not only because of the compositional or aesthetic reasons but also due to the founder's will. Jan Zamoyski did not want the Town Hall to dominate the nearby palace.
It is one of the biggest European squares dating back to the 16th century. At each side of the Great-Market-Square there are eight tenement houses with arcades, which used to house merchant shops and wineries. Every house has its own rich history and names.
The market was supposed to be the place of important public events and to present Zamosc as the "ideal city". The market flourished in the 17th century, when it was surrounded by two rows of late renaissance and neo-classicist houses. In spite of its name, the Market however used to play a representative role, rather that commercial one.
The Old City quarter of Zamosc has been placed on the UNESCO list of World Heritage Sites.