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  Zamosc, often called the pearl of the Renaissance, is a rare example of a city designed in its entirety and raised over a short period of time. The urban layout of the oldest part of the city is a top class monument of significant historical and artistic value, therefore it was included on the list of the World's Cultural Heritage by UNESCO in 1992. The bruin behind the plan was Jan Zamoyski, the powerful magnate an one of the most influential figures in the Commonwealth of 16th century. In order to carry out his plans, Hetman Zamoyski commissioned an Italian architect from Padua, Bernardo Morando. He worked out a layout for the city, which was also supposed to be a strong fortress capable of facing Cossack and Tartar invasions that were frequent at that time. The historical part of the city is in the late-Renaissance style. It occupies the town centre and is encircled with a formidable system of fortifications with seven bastions. Some of the buildings did not keep their original shape as they were remodelled over the subsequent centuries. The most spectacular is the great market square with old arcaded burghers' houses. It is dominated by a lofty town hall with its sky-high tower and monumental staircase. On both sides stand beautiful houses, which were owned by rich merchants in the past. South-west of the market square is the cathedral with its splendit Renaissance interior decorations, including a lot of good stone and stucco work, paintings, portraits of the Zamoyskis, and the family crypt. Unfortunately, neither the Zamoyski Palace nor the famous Academy building, a university founded by the town owner, retained much of their former architectural splendour. Of particular interest are the fragments of the former fortifications, including the gates, bastions, earthworks, defensive walls, and gun emplacements. These elements, together with the beautiful Renaissance buildings, make Zomosc a specially charming and unusual place to visit. |
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