Things to do in Zamość
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Rynek Wielki
The Old Town is 600m long, 400m wide and surrounds a main square of exactly 100m by 100m. Look out for plaques on key buildings around Rynek Wielki , which offer succinct information about the buildings' former use. The Italianate Renaissance Rynek is lined with arcaded burghers' houses (arcades were made compulsory by Jan Zamoyski himself).
Each side of the Rynek (bar the northern side dominated by the lofty pink town hall) has eight houses bisected by two main axes of town; one runs west-east from the palace to the bastion, and the other joins the three market squares north to south.Originally, all the houses in the square were topped with decorative parapets, but these…
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Hala Targowa
On the eastern edge of the Old Town is the Hala Targowa, the old Market Hall and prime site of massive renovation works to upscale existing shops and cafés and add new attractions. The market is adjacent to the best surviving Bastion, No 7. Walking tours of the walls can be arranged in various languages through Zamojski Ośrodek Informacji Turystycznej, but plans may be disrupted by renovation works.
The entrance is by the Lviv Gate (Brama Lwowska), built in 1599 as the main eastern access gate. It still retains some original decorations, including a Latin inscription concerning the foundation of the town, and the Zamoyski family coat of arms.
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Cathedral
The Cathedral, just southwest of the Rynek, was built by Morando (around 1587 to 1598) as a votive offering and mausoleum for the Zamoyskis. The exterior of the building changed dramatically in the 19th century, but the interior maintained many original features.
Note the authentic Lublin-Renaissance-style vault, the stone and stuccowork, and the unusual arcaded organ loft. In the high altar is the rococo silver tabernacle of 1745. Jan Zamoyski's tomb is under the black marble in the chapel at the head of the right-hand aisle. The stairs next to the chapel lead to the family crypt.
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Renaissance Synagogue
One block east of Rynek Solny is the Renaissance Synagogue built between 1610 and 1618. One of the two side rooms off the main hall was destroyed during Nazi occupation, and the interior stripped of its fittings. The synagogue is the subject of a restoration project. Note the surviving stucco decoration and the reconstructed decorative parapets.
Interestingly, the site of Jazz Club Kosz was once a Jewish bathhouse - the large hall downstairs was once used for ritual bathing.
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Franciscan Church
The Franciscan Church was built (between 1637 and 1655) it was reputedly one of the largest and most beautiful Baroque churches in the country. In 1784, the Austrian Empire abolished the Franciscan order, throwing the church into the hands of fate. It was converted to a hospital, an arms depot under the Russians, a museum and cinema between the two world wars, and an art college after WWII before finding its way back into the hands of the Franciscans in 1993.
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Zamość Museum
Zamość Museum, with intriguing displays like a scale model of the 16th-century town and a letter to Jan Zamoyski from his architect, Bernardo Morando, with a hand-drawn plan of the square and names of the first occupants of each building. Also on display are archaeological finds such as Gothic treasures found in cemeteries in the Hrubieszów Valley. Note the original wooden ceilings and decorations around the windows and doors.
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Old Lublin Gate
Just north across ul Królowej Jadwigi is the Old Lublin Gate , a partly ruined brick structure. Just after its construction in 1588 it was walled up in 1604 to commemorate a victorious event: Austrian Archduke Maximilian (a claimant to the Polish throne) was taken prisoner by Jan Zamoyski in the battle of Byczyna and triumphantly 'escorted' into the town through the gate. He is the last person to have walked through it.
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Rynek Wielki Town Hall
The Rynek Wielki Town Hall was built between 1639 and 1651, and features were added and extended in the mid-17th century: its curving stairway came in 1768. Zamoyski didn't want the town hall to overshadow the palace or interrupt the view, and so unusually placed it on the northern side of the square rather than the centre. In summer, a bugle is played at noon from the 52m-high clock tower.
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Synagogue
The Renaissance synagogue built between 1610 and 1618. One of the two side rooms off the main hall was destroyed during Nazi occupation, and the interior stripped of its fittings. The synagogue is the subject of a restoration project. Note the surviving stucco decoration and the reconstructed decorative parapets.
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Bohema
This super-slick underground bar (also with Rynek seating) not only offers live music but also turns out some sophisticated food; pancake concoctions are the breakfast of champions. Poetry could be written about the unsurpassable hot chocolate with chilli (possibly the best 7zł you’ll spend in Poland).
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Academy
To the east of the gate is the Academy, recognised for making Zamość a thriving academic centre. The Academy was opened in 1595 with an impassioned appeal by Jan Zamoyski for young Poles to educate themselves. The Baroque structure retained little character after tsarist times.
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Bell Tower
This present tower was built from 1755 to 1775 after the original timber tower went up in flames. It contains three bells: Wawrzyniec (170kg), Tomasz (1200kg) and the largest, Jan (4300kg). You may need to ask for the key to the bell tower at the Sacral Museum.
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Former Orthodox Church
Further south is the Former Orthodox Church, built in the 1620s by Greek merchants and complemented with a fortified tower half a century later. The church was rebuilt several times but the original stucco decoration of the vault remains.
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Zoo
Zamość has a small zoo with small enclosures. There are some interesting exotic species, but many look homesick. A visit might be worthwhile if you have children in tow who need a break from all the history.
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Martyrdom Museum
The Martyrdom Museum, containing various tributes to the victims of Nazi atrocities. Walking through the various cells (particularly by yourself) can be a disturbing and desolate experience.
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Arsenal Museum
The Arsenal Museum displays a modest collection of cannons, swords, muskets and other military hardware. Various temporary exhibitions are also held here.
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Corner Pub
Every town needs an Irish pub, and this brand new place has already become Zamość’s. It’s far classier than the real deal, and has regular live music.
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Sacral Museum
The Sacral Museum, featuring a collection of religious art accumulated by the church.
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Bar Asia
For some fast and filling soup/dumplings/cabbage-style food, head to this old-style milk bar.
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Piwnica Pod Rektorską
Polish-style hamburger/piegoli-style snacks and sometimes jazz downstairs.
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Restauracja Muzealna
A better class of Polish cuisine. The goulash is an essential order.
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