Old Market Square (Stary Rynek) in Częstochowa

Old Market Square (Stary Rynek) is one of the squares of Częstochowa, measuring about 100 by 66 metres, in the Old Town district. It lies behind St Sigismund's Church, which stands at the start of Aleja Najświętszej Maryi Panny. The Trail of the Eagles' Nests ends on this square.

The market square of former Old Częstochowa

Since the Middle Ages the square served as the marketplace of Old Częstochowa. The first town hall probably stood here, and from the 15th century until 1812 there was a town hall that was destroyed by fire. The buildings of the market square burned down during the Swedish Deluge. According to a story, Napoleon Bonaparte stayed the night in the inn by Stary Rynek when he marched with his troops on Moscow.

Townhouses and archaeological research

The townhouses of the eastern and northern frontages have survived. A dozen or so of them are entered in the heritage register, among them the buildings at numbers 11 to 24. In 2007 archaeological work began on the square, which uncovered a town well and the foundations of several vanished structures, probably the weigh-house and a gallows. The place where the town hall stood was still being sought.

Nearby

From the square it is not far to the Częstochowa Museum and to places connected with the memory of the town's former inhabitants, such as the ghetto in Częstochowa. The road to Jasna Góra runs along Aleja Najświętszej Maryi Panny.

Practical information

• Location: Old Town district, behind St Sigismund's Church.
• The square is a public space; the townhouses have their own uses and opening hours.
• Check the scope and state of the square's reconstruction with the city office before a visit.