About This Location
Rynek Starego Miasta is the oldest square in Warsaw and the heart of the Old Town. It took shape in the late 13th century, when the town was being formed. For centuries, this was where traders met, fairs were held, and city life was decided. A large town hall once stood in the middle of the square, until it was demolished in 1817. The colorful townhouses around the square look old, but much of what stands here is a careful reconstruction. After the Warsaw Uprising in 1944, the area was systematically destroyed. The square and its buildings were rebuilt after the war, with the main reconstruction of the market square carried out in 1948-1953, shaped to resemble the look of earlier centuries. This huge effort later became one of the reasons Warsaw’s Historic Centre was placed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1980. In the center stands the Warsaw Mermaid, sword raised and shield ready. The figure has been a symbol of the city for generations. The well-known sculpture on the square is linked with the work of sculptor Konstanty Hegel and dates to 1855, turning the middle of the market place into a meeting point long before modern tourism. Each side of the square has its own name, honoring 18th-century figures connected with civic reform: Dekert’s Side to the north, Barss’ Side to the east, Kołłątaj’s Side to the west, and Zakrzewski’s Side to the south. Along the northern side, the connected townhouses also hold the main seat of Muzeum Warszawy, where the story of the city is told through everyday objects and personal histories.