Rynek simply translates as market square and there is a big rivalry between Polish cities as to which is the best Rynek. If you come from Krakow you believe your city has the supreme champion. Unless you come from Warsaw, in which case you believe that your city has the supreme champion. And so on…
While many towns and cities across the UK will have a market square, none of them match up to the majesty and splendour of the finest Polish specimens. You will find grand market squares in towns and cities across continental Europe, of course, but this is about Poland…
This post features Gdańsk, Kraków, Poznań, Warsaw and Wrocław. See if you can pick a favourite…
I have added a couple of photos taken from the Internet showing Gdańsk and Warsaw in May 1945, you might find them distressing…
Gdańsk
Gdańsk doesn’t have a Rynek as such – it has the Dlugi Targ, which translates as long market – easy to see why, really…
Kraków
Poznań
Warsaw
Wrocław
Some great pictures and history Barnaby. I stayed on a campsite in Wrocław on one of my charity rallies (a real mix of old and new) but missed a lot of the centre due to time constraints. The parts I saw were fascinating and your pictures have filled in some of the blanks….