Exploring the Old Town Market Square of Warsaw

Mermaid Statue at the Old Town Market Square of Warsaw

Mermaid Statue at the Old Town Market Square of Warsaw

Market squares are a common feature of European cities, most especially the older ones. They are a place of commerce and other activities. The market square here in Warsaw isn’t really that large. I believe the one in Brussels was larger, not to mention prettier. This doesn’t mean that the square in Warsaw Old Town is ugly. The square has the typical guildhalls which line the square. There used to be a town hall here with a very tall tower but that has been dismantled in the 1800s. Without the town hall, there isn’t really a prominent building here in the square, this is probably a bit strange when it comes to town squares.

Water Pump at the Old Town Market Square in Warsaw

Water Pump at the Old Town Market Square in Warsaw

The buildings around the square were destroyed a few times, the most recent one was the destruction wrought by the Germans during World War II. Much of the city has been rebuilt after the war and it would appear that nothing happened at all. The square itself has a single statue at the middle which is that of a mermaid. This apparently is the imagery in the coat of arms. It evolved from a half human-half dragon to that of a mermaid, both wielding a sword. Legend has it that the mermaid guided the founder of Warsaw to its present site. The statue has been built in honor of this legendary mermaid.

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