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Zamość was founded in 1580 by the mighty Polish nobleman Jan Zamoyski. Its layout – designed by the Italian architect Bernardo Morando and modelled on the concept of an ideal Renaissance city – remains a tourist’s delight. Although Zamość was originally designed as a fortress, its location on a trade route prompted Zamoyski to accord privileges to the city merchants. Throughout its history Zamość has been inhabited by numerous nationalities apart from Poles, including Armenians, Sephardic Jews, Greeks, Hungarians and Italians. This has given the city its unique and colourful atmosphere which can still be felt today. The OldTown provides space for numerous cultural events, busy galleries, cafes, restaurants and shops. The city’s location near the hills of Roztocze and the RoztoczeNational Park makes it even more attractive for tourists. In 1992 Zamość was inscribed on UNESCO’s Cultural and Natural World Heritage list. The year also marked the beginning of the process of renovation of the city’s historic buildings. The works carried out between 2005 and 2008 were divided into three stages. The project included renovation of the Rynek Wielki (Great Square) with the surrounding houses, the Town Hall and the streets of the Old Town.

One of Europe’s largest squares, the 16th-century Great Market received new paving. Also, the whole square and the adjacent streets were covered with a video surveillance system. The impressive Town Hall – Zamość’s most famous landmark – underwent thorough renovation of its outer walls, architectural details and windows, as well as receiving an all-important damp insulation. Of the buildings surrounding the Square, it was the Armenian houses that received the greatest care; the works covered conservation of precious portals, friezes and parapet walls, stuccowork in the hall and in the arcades, and window surrounds. The streets around the Great Market were remodelled thoroughly and turned into elegant pedestrian boulevards.

Also worth mentioning is the renovation of the city fortification system. The works covered the preserved parts of the former Zamość Fortress which had been officially closed in 1866 (in the same year most of the city walls were blown up). The investment covered five parts of the surviving stronghold: Bastion VII with its Cavalier and Lvov Gate, the Old and New Lublin Gate, the casement of Bastion I and the Szczebrzeszyn Gate.

Zamość flourishes and attracts more tourists by the year. The OldTown renovation project was nominated for the main award at the first contest Poland Even More Beautiful. Seven Miracles of EU Funds in the Revitalization category.