Warsaw Old Town Market Square

The Old Town Market Square, Rynek Starego Miasta, is the heart of Warsaw's UNESCO-listed historic centre in Poland's Masovian region. The district was almost completely destroyed in 1944 and rebuilt brick by brick after 1945, using Bernardo Bellotto's 18th-century paintings and surviving architectural drawings as the guide. The result is a rectangular square ringed by narrow, colourfully painted burgher houses, each with its own decorated facade, sgraffito and carved doorway. At the centre stands the Warsaw Mermaid statue, the city's symbol, shield and sword raised. Visitors typically spend one to two hours here, walking the four sides of the square, entering the Museum of Warsaw that occupies several of the houses, and stopping at cafés and galleries. The museum tells the story of the city through objects, models and film, and is the main paid attraction on the square. Most of the ground floors hold restaurants with outdoor terraces, which are pleasant but priced at a premium; side streets such as Piwna are noticeably cheaper. The square is open around the clock and is largely car-free, which makes it comfortable to explore on foot. Photography works best early, before about 9AM, when the pastel facades are lit softly and the square is nearly empty. Evening has a different appeal, with lamps lit, terraces full and street musicians performing. The busiest period is midday to late afternoon in summer, when coach groups arrive from the nearby Royal Castle. The best vantage points are the corner by the Barbican approach for a view along the full length of the square, and the upper floors of the Museum of Warsaw for an elevated look at the rooftops. Castle Square is only two minutes' walk away, and the Vistula embankment lies beyond the Old Town walls to the east. Cobblestones are uneven, so comfortable shoes are advisable.