Old Town Market Square

Overview

Warsaw's Old Town Market Square is a photogenic rectangle of colourful merchant houses, all rebuilt after the war. UNESCO inscribed the entire reconstructed Old Town in 1980—the only deliberately reconstructed site on the World Heritage List.

Highlights

• Mermaid statue: Warsaw's symbol—a sword-wielding siren—stands at the centre.
• Colourful facades: Pastel merchant houses recreated from Bellotto's paintings.
• Restaurants: Outdoor seating fills the square in summer.

History

Founded in the 13th century, the square was 85% destroyed in the 1944 Warsaw Uprising. Reconstruction used 18th-century paintings, photographs, and surviving fragments.

Visitor Tips

• Evening atmosphere: The square is beautifully lit after dark.
• Tourist prices: Restaurants on the square are pricey; better value a block away.
• Duration: 15–30 minutes.