Solny Square (Salt Square)

Solny Square (Salt Square)

This medieval market square was created in 1242 when after the Mongolian Deluge the city was re-located. It was slightly bigger than today, it dimensions were 84,5m long and 94m wide. During the ages it had different names: Polish Market Square, Salt Market Square, Salt Square and then in 1827 it became Blücher Square as Field Marshal Blücher's Statue was erected there. It regained its historical name after World War II. One corner of Solny Square meets with Market Square, in the others begin two streets of Gepperta, Ofiar Oświęcimskich, Ruska and Kiełbaśnicza. The south-western corner is closed. There are no buildings on the square and it is surrounded by historical tenement houses, a former early 20th century department store, a skyscraper built between 1930-1932 by Heinricha Rump, the Pharmacy Under the Moor and the Classical building of the Old Stock Market which takes up half of the southern frontage. It was built in 1822 and designed by Carla Ferdinanda Langhansa. The western frontage which seems to be the oldest, is a post-war reconstruction of 19th century architecture in fact. There is an interesting area beneath the square. There is a 1000m2 bunker with room for up to 300 people. During the war it had its own toilets, sewage system and two exits. One of them can currently be found in the female toilet. The underground structure was built by Richard Konwiarz. On the square there is a fountain and a spire by Adam Wyspiański, including the one in Centennial Hall. One can also enjoy a variety of aromas as there is a flower market on the square, too.