Old Town Market Square (Rynek Starego Miasta), Warsaw, Poland

The Old Town Market Square (Rynek Starego Miasta) is the historic centre of Warsaw and the oldest part of the city, dating back to the late 13th century. Ringed by tall, brightly painted burgher houses with ornate façades, the square was almost completely destroyed during the Second World War and rebuilt in the years that followed using original bricks, old photographs and 18th-century paintings. This extraordinary reconstruction earned the Old Town its place on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1980, recognised as an outstanding example of near-total urban restoration.

What to See

At the centre of the square stands the bronze statue of the Warsaw Mermaid (Syrenka), the city’s official emblem and guardian, depicted wielding a sword and shield. The four sides of the square are named after prominent Polish figures, and the surrounding townhouses today host restaurants, cafés, galleries and the Museum of Warsaw, which occupies a row of connected historic houses on the northern side. The square is especially atmospheric in the evening, when the façades are illuminated, and it hosts seasonal events, open-air cafés in summer and a popular Christmas market in winter. Horse-drawn carriages and street artists add to the lively atmosphere.

How to Get There

The square is a public space, open around the clock and free to enter. It lies about 300 metres north of the Royal Castle and is easily reached on foot through the Old Town’s narrow streets. The nearest public-transport options are the “Stare Miasto” stop (buses 116, 178, 180 and 503) and the Ratusz Arsenał metro station (line M1), both about a 5–10 minute walk away. As the streets are cobbled and largely pedestrianised, comfortable footwear is recommended. Individual attractions on the square, such as the Museum of Warsaw, charge separate admission fees.