Old Market Square

Stary Rynek is a historic market square in the centre of Łódź that for centuries served as the heart of the city, now constituting a listed monument entered in the Municipal Register of Historical Monuments and an example of successful public space revitalisation.

From the late Middle Ages to full development

Stary Rynek received city rights in 1423 when Władysław Jagiełło issued a document granting this status to the Łódź settlement. Over the following centuries the square served as a commercial centre, surrounded by wooden houses with a wooden town hall in the middle. Open market trading took place at this location, placing Stary Rynek on the map of commercial centres in Greater Poland and Mazovia at the time. The square measures approximately 105 by 85 metres and already in the Middle Ages had the form typical of the period – a public space surrounded by buildings on three sides.

Economic decline and marginalisation

In 1821–1823 the status of Stary Rynek changed dramatically. The centre of Łódź was relocated south to Rynek Nowego Miasta, marking the beginning of the decline of the commercial importance of the old city square. The buildings in the old part of the city lost priority in development plans, although the square remained a symbol of the city's medieval roots. Wooden buildings were gradually rebuilt into more durable structures, but Stary Rynek never recovered its former economic importance.

War damage and reconstruction

During the Second World War Stary Rynek fell within the boundaries of the Łódź ghetto and part of its buildings were destroyed. After the conflict ended, in the Polish People's Republic period, new buildings were erected in a simplified style of socialist realism historicism – three-storey buildings with steep roofs and characteristic arcades at ground level. The architecture of this period, although executed in a style evoking pre-war traditions, did not precisely recreate the medieval appearance of the square but represented a compromise between the pursuit of historicism and the material capabilities of the post-war era.

Contemporary revitalisation

In the early 21st century Stary Rynek was placed on the list of revitalisation priorities of Łódź City Office. Revitalisation works, carried out until 2024, included complete replacement of the square's surface with granite, expansion of green areas and reconstruction of market stalls, which again settled on the square, restoring fragments of its former character. Lighting, street furniture (benches, bins) and greenery were designed with the needs of people living in the city and visiting the centre in mind. Architectural inventory confirming the square's entry in the Municipal Register of Historical Monuments forms the basis for protection of this area from chaotic development.

Location among the city's main attractions

Stary Rynek is neighbours with several significant monuments and squares in Łódź. Nearby is the Museum of Art in Łódź, one of the largest and oldest art museums in Poland. From the square you can also easily reach Piotrkowska Street, the city's main promenade with a rich history of pre-war tenement buildings. Manufaktura Łódź is located just a few hundred metres south of the square. This location makes Stary Rynek a natural starting point for walks around the city centre and discovering the city's architectural heritage.

Practical information

• Address: Stary Rynek, Śródmieście [City Centre], 90-001 Łódź (public square without street number)
• Access: available 24/7 as public space, no opening hours
• Getting there: city centre, trams lines 4, 6, 7, 8, 13 (Stary Rynek stop), accessible by lines 12 and 15
• What to expect: renovated square with granite surface, market stalls, benches and greenery, opportunity for walks and rest in the heart of the city