The Old Town Market Square

The Old Town Market Square is the main plaza in Lublin's historic center, with several major streets branching out from it. The space has an irregular trapezoid shape measuring about 62 by 72 meters, created by its location along a curved section of the old city walls.

The square was established when Lublin received its city rights in 1317 and developed with irregular plots along the curved walls. After a major city fire in 1575, buildings were rebuilt on a larger scale, and the area became more important when the Crown Tribunal opened in 1578.

The square served as a marketplace where merchants displayed goods and residents gathered for trade and public life. The buildings surrounding it reflect the homes and shops of wealthy traders who shaped the area's character through their businesses and residences.

The square is easily reached from the main streets of the old city that branch from its corners. The irregular layout makes it best to walk slowly and examine the details of the surrounding buildings, particularly the historic stone portals and decorated facades.

The buildings around the square display different architectural styles, including late Gothic portals and the distinctive 'donkey's back' arches visible on some facades. The Lubomelski Houses from the early 1500s with their inscribed dates are notable examples, reflecting the various phases of rebuilding and preservation.