Stary Rynek

Stary Rynek in Łowicz is the oldest square in the city, established around 1358 as a commercial and administrative centre. It lies on the highest part of Łowicz, which in the Middle Ages was effectively an island surrounded by marshes, and remains the heart of Stare Miasto to this day.

Neoclassical town hall

The town hall was built in 1825-1828 according to a design by Bonifacy Witkowski. It is a two-storey brick building on a rectangular plan, with a recessed portico on two columns and a balcony on the main axis of the elevation. The tower is adorned with Corinthian capitals and stuccowork with plant motifs and griffins. On the first floor, in the assembly hall, a wall fresco by Józef Lamparski from 1918 has been preserved, depicting the coats of arms of Polish regions and portraits of historical figures. The town hall was entered in the heritage register on 5 March 1947, and underwent renovation in 1997-1998.

Churches and buildings around the square

The Cathedral Basilica stands at Stary Rynek, the former Primate Collegiate Church: a three-nave temple in Renaissance-Baroque style, rebuilt from Gothic in the 17th century. It received cathedral status in 1992 from Pope John Paul II, and in 1999 was elevated to the rank of minor basilica. In 2012 it was added to the list of Historical Monuments. Nearby are former chapter buildings: a former seminary building, now home to a museum, as well as Brama Prymasowska [Primate's Gate], Kustodia, Dziekaneria and Kanonia.

From markets to the square today

For centuries, weekly markets and annual fairs were held on the square, attracting merchants from the surrounding area. During the Second World War, most of the buildings around the square were destroyed; reconstruction was carried out in 1947. Despite the destruction, the square retained its medieval urban layout with cobbled streets and townhouses, which today form one of Łowicz's most recognisable views. The entire complex is registered as a historical monument in the Łódź Voivodeship register under number 638, entered on 29 September 1983.

Not to be confused with Nowy Rynek

In Łowicz, besides Stary Rynek, there is also Nowy Rynek, a square with a distinctive triangular shape, created in 1405 as the centre of the new part of the city. Both squares are close to each other, but have a separate history and different spatial layout, so it is worth visiting them as two separate places rather than one extensive market.

Practical information

• Address: Stary Rynek, 99-400 Łowicz
• Access: on foot, the square is located in the centre of Stare Miasto
• What to expect: historic town hall, cathedral basilica, former chapter buildings and cobbled streets around the square