Market Square in Nowy Targ

The market square in Nowy Targ is a rectangle measuring 138 by 110 metres — as much as 1.5 hectares of surface, laid out for the first time in 1346, when the town was chartered. For long centuries fairs were held here; today the square serves as the representative centre of the town and ranks among the larger market squares in Poland.

The town hall with the clock

In the central point stands a 19th-century, two-storey classicist town hall crowned with a clock tower. The building blends nicely into the surrounding greenery, and the Podhale Museum operates in its interiors. Looking north from the square, you can see the Baroque spire of the historic church of St Catherine — the patron saint of the town.

Eight streets from the corners

Eight streets lead to the square — two from each corner: Szaflarska with Harcerska, Jan III Sobieski with Kościuszko, St Catherine with Szkolna, and Kolejowa with Kazimierz Wielki. This arrangement directs through traffic around the square and leaves its centre to pedestrians.

Town houses of the northern frontage

The Nowy Targ market is decorated with 19th-century town houses, located mainly in the northern frontage of the square. The prevailing type is two-storey with a three-axis facade — modest but consistent, and together with the town hall it forms the immediate setting of the square.

In practice

The square is open at any time, without tickets. The Podhale Museum in the town hall keeps selected opening hours, which are worth checking before your visit. A walk across the surface and around the frontages takes about half an hour in total, and the further points of the town centre are close to the square.