The Great Market Square is one of the most magnificent squares in Polish but also European architecture. Preserving, despite the passage of centuries, compositional and aesthetic values,
emphasises the exceptionality of the place. An ideal square of 100 x 100m is encircled by shadowy arcades. Already in the contract with Bernardo Morando an Italian architect, Jan Zamoyski,
the founder of the town reserved for himself that the town was to be built according to "the Italian Pattern". The typical feature of each Italian "piazza" were arcades moving the passers-by tired by the heat,
from the heated square into the cool and shadowy interiors, and further on into the merchant counters and wine-vaults in the cellars.

The market was supposed to be the place of important public events and to present Zamosc as the "ideal city". The market flourished in the 17th century, when it was surrounded by two rows
of late renaissance and neo-classicist houses. In spite of its name, the Market however used to play a representative role, rather that commercial one.
The arcades during the day contrast their semidarkness with cream-coloured pillars, and, when illuminated at night, they grant the Market some extra charm.