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| Start | Tuesday, 9 February 2010  Temperature in the city: -9°C |
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visits since Jan 2006 Last update 4 February 2010 | Capital | Castle | Fortress | Ideal City | Padua of the North | Renaissance Pearl Long time ago... 
Zamosc owes its perfection to two men: Jan Zamoyski and Bernardo Morando. Nobleman Zamoyski wanted to build a private city in the middle of nowhere, and the architect Morando knew how to do it. They worked togheter for 25 years and created a masterpiece which we can still admire today. Little has changed in the general design since Zamoyski founded the city in 1580. Plans of Zamosc were drawn up simply and logically. The town had three squares, right-angled net of broad streets, big building allotments and temples for every religion. It was a comfortable and modern town for 3 000 people, as well as a strong fortress to defend against enemies. Jan Zamoyski's ambition was to make his city a centre for science and arts, and he has undoubtedly achieved his goal. The urban design of Zamosc is a high class monument of significant historical and artistic value. The Old Town in particular is a thing of rare beauty and enormous cultural importance with more than 120 historical landmarks. It has been placed on the UNESCO list of World Heritage Sites in 1992. Capital 
Ambitious Zamoyski created a huge "country within the country". His lands within Poland spanned 6 400 km2 with 11 cities and over 200 villages. This was in addition to the royal estates he controlled of over 17 500 km2 with 112 cities and 612 villages. He founded the private city of Zamosc in order to circumvent royal tariffs and taxes as well as the capital for his mini-state and his managment centre. Zamoyski's lands functioned as an almost independent country - with its own army, judicature and university (Academy). The beautiful capital was a source of glory and profit to its founder from the moment of its creation. Castle 
Zamość remains a perfect example of a Renaissance town of the late 16th century. It retained its original layout and fortifications as well as a large number of buildings blending Italian and central European architectural traditions. Zamoyski was driven by love for art, science, Poland and money, not necessarily in this order. Morando set the rules that houses (photos are here) must have arcades on the ground floor and framing above. Also the general design of each house had to gain his approval before the construction started. Both men - Zamoyski and Morando - created Zamosc as a marvellous place for living, as well as a busy and profitable trade centre and a strong fortress. Fortress 
Zamosc Old Town is surrounded by a wall with seven bastions. These modern star-shaped fortifications helped the military defend the city against invaders. All was planned from the very beginning. Morando marked out the outer line (2.5 km long) of the town and ordered to dig the moat (you can see it in the park now). The dug out soil was used to make the embankments. As a result of all these earthworks Zamosc was surrounded by strong walls - the impressive bailey (brickwork) was 12 m high and 2.5 m thick. Only three gates (photos are here) led to the city - each one with a drawbridge. However, it was not until 1620s when Morando's successor, Andrea dell'Aqua completed the fortress. This perfect design influenced the Poland history - Zamosc was never conquered by any invading army. Numerous reconstructions took place till the 19th century and in 1866 the fortress was closed down by Russians, and the part of walls blowed up. Ideal City 
The harmony of streets, squares and buildings creates an imposing unity, symmetry and transparency. Zamoyski intended to create a citta ideale. In his vision the town was supposed to fulfill all human needs and become a living and perfect system. The city was designed to integrate business, scientific and cultural life with the defensive functions of the fortress. The importance of Zamosc was additionally increased after the Academy was founded in 1594. The experiment proved successful since the town was situated at the intersection of major trading routes, and it soon attracted capital and immigrants, and developed a vigorous intellectual life. Padua of the North 
The city was a vision of the Italian architect Bernardo Morando so it is more Italian than Polish. Morando, a native of Padua, designed Zamosc not only for beauty, but also for utility. It was located on the trade route linking Western and Northern Europe with the Black Sea. It was modelled on the Italian trading cities to ensure growth of both intellectual and economic capital. Tolerant and open-minded, Zamoyski freely invited one and all to his town, including Jews, Armenians, Greeks, Scots, Hungarians, and of course, Italians. By granting them generous privileges he produced a group of progressive and prosperous merchants. Zamość is not a big metropolis but it is definitely worth visiting. Walking along its narrow, charming streets surrounded by old town houses provides you with an excellent opportunity to admire beautiful Renaissance architecture of Polish "Padua of the North". Renaissance Pearl 
Zamosc is one of the most authentic Renaissance cities left in Europe. The urban layout is recognised as an absolutely highest class monument of architecture. Not one other Polish city was build with such great precision, plan and good taste. It reflected humanistic point of view that the town should to be like a living human being. The plan was drawn in the shape of a lying man. The palace makes his head, the academy and collegiate are his lungs, the town hall is the heart and Grodzka Street (from palace to Lvov Old Gate) constitutes the spine. The four bastions (arms and legs) stand like posts against enemies. Zamosc was also an example of Renaissance tolerance. Its inhabitants created the colourful mosaic of nations and religions. For example the most beatiful houses on the Great Market Square belonged to Armenian merchants. |
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