Rynek Sienny in Szczecin

Rynek Sienny – the Hay Market (roughly "RIH-nek SHYEN-nih") – is the oldest market square in Szczecin and the heart of its rebuilt Old Town. The square is dominated by the brick Gothic Old Town Hall with its lacy, stepped gable, and surrounded by colorful reconstructed townhouses with café and restaurant terraces. It's the natural place for a break while sightseeing, just minutes from the cathedral, the castle and the riverside.

Where it is

Szczecin (say "SHCHEH-cheen"), formerly German Stettin, is in northwest Poland, about 150 km (93 mi) from Berlin – two hours by car or regional train. The square is in the Old Town, around 300 m from St. James Cathedral and a 15-minute walk from Szczecin Główny station. Downtown parking is paid, so explore on foot.

History

The square is first recorded in 1310 as forum antiquum, the "old market". Its German name, Heumarkt, came from the hay trade and was used until 1945. A stock exchange was built on the west side in 1833–1835.

Allied bombing during World War II gutted the Old Town – the town hall, the exchange and the surrounding houses burned. After the war the ruins were cleared and the west side was filled with apartment blocks. Only in the late 1990s did reconstruction of the south and west frontages begin, with some townhouses rebuilt to look as they did before the war. It's an interesting example of how Polish Szczecin has been rediscovering its German-era Old Town.

The Old Town Hall and the Museum of Szczecin History

The Old Town Hall (ul. Księcia Mściwoja II 8) was built in brick in the 15th century, replacing a 13th-century wooden building. In 1570 it hosted the peace congress that ended a war between Sweden and Denmark. After damage in sieges it was remodeled in Baroque style; it burned in 1944 and was rebuilt in 1972–1975, when its Gothic gable with green and black glazed bricks was restored. Gothic star vaults survive in the cellars and two halls, and the building is on the European Route of Brick Gothic.

Today it houses the Museum of Szczecin History, a branch of the National Museum, covering the city's early history, the Swedish and Prussian eras and everyday life in the 20th century. A restaurant occupies the Gothic cellar.

Opening hours and tickets (as of October 2026)

• The square: public space, open 24/7 and free year-round.
• Museum of Szczecin History: closed Monday; Tuesday and Sunday 10 am–4 pm; Wednesday–Saturday 10 am–6 pm (year-round, including winter 2026/27). Permanent exhibitions 20 PLN, reduced 12 PLN; free on Saturdays. Closed on some holidays, including November 1 and December 24–25 and 31.
• Outdoor terraces are seasonal – in winter the square is quieter.

Allow half an hour for the square, or 1.5–2 hours with the museum.

Is it worth visiting?

Yes – it's one of the prettiest corners of central Szczecin and pairs naturally with the cathedral, the Pomeranian Dukes' Castle, the Port Gate and the Chrobry Embankment.