Discover
Zamość
“Pearl of the Renaissance • UNESCO World Heritage Site”
History
The Ideal City
Zamość was founded in 1580 by Chancellor Jan Zamoyski, one of the most powerful Polish magnates of the era. He commissioned the Italian architect Bernardo Morando to design a city based on Renaissance theories of the “ideal city” — a concept combining functionality, beauty, and harmony.
The result is a perfectly planned urban layout that has survived virtually intact for over four centuries. The city’s unique blend of Italian and Central European architectural traditions earned it UNESCO World Heritage status in 1992.
Walking through Zamość today is like stepping back in time to the golden age of the Renaissance, with its arcaded merchant houses, grand town hall, and the magnificent Great Market Square at its heart.
Must See
City Highlights
Great Market Square
The heart of Zamość — Rynek Wielki is one of the most beautiful Renaissance squares in Europe. Surrounded by colorful arcaded merchant houses, it’s perfect for morning coffee or evening strolls.
Town Hall
The iconic Zamość Town Hall with its distinctive tower and grand staircase dominates the Great Market Square. A masterpiece of Renaissance architecture.
Collegiate Church
The Church of the Resurrection and St. Thomas the Apostle is a stunning example of Baroque architecture, featuring beautiful frescoes and the Zamoyski family chapel.
Zamoyski Palace
Once the grand residence of the city’s founder, the palace now houses a museum showcasing the history and treasures of Zamość.
Fortifications
Explore the well-preserved Renaissance fortifications, bastions, and gates that once protected this strategic city on the trade route to the East.
Synagogue
The 17th-century synagogue stands as a testament to the city’s multicultural heritage and the once-thriving Jewish community of Zamość.
Explore
Suggested Walks
Renaissance Heritage Walk (2-3 hours)
Start your exploration at our doorstep and follow this curated walk through Zamość’s most significant sites:
- Depart from Orlicz 32 — Begin your journey from our apartments
- Great Market Square — Admire the arcaded houses and their decorative façades
- Town Hall — Marvel at the Renaissance architecture and climb the tower for panoramic views
- Arsenal Museum — Discover military history and artifacts
- Collegiate Church — Experience the Baroque splendor inside
- Old Lublin Gate — One of three original city gates
- Bastion VII — Walk the fortifications for views of the moat
- Return via Grodzka Street — Browse local shops and cafés
Evening Promenade (1 hour)
As the sun sets, Zamość transforms into a magical, lamp-lit Renaissance stage:
- Stroll around the illuminated Great Market Square
- Enjoy dinner at one of the restaurants under the arcades
- Take in the view of the Town Hall tower against the evening sky
- End with a gelato from one of the square’s charming cafés
Practical Info
Good to Know
Walkable City
Zamość’s Old Town is compact and entirely walkable. Most attractions are within 10-15 minutes walk from Orlicz 32.
Parking
Free street parking near our apartments. Paid parking available in the Old Town center.
Dining
Excellent restaurants and cafés around the Great Market Square, ranging from traditional Polish to international cuisine.
Shopping
Local markets, artisan shops, and supermarkets all within easy reach.