Zamość Pearl of Renaissance
Zamość - the pearl of Renaissance, is a city in eastern Poland, situated in the southern part of Lublin Voivodeship, 247 km from Warsaw. The population is approximately 65,000. The historical centre of Zamość was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1992.
As described by UNESCO:
Zamość is a unique example of a Renaissance town in Central Europe, consistently designed and built in accordance with the Italian theories of the “ideal town,” on the basis of a plan which was the result of perfect cooperation between the open-minded founder, Jan Zamoyski, and the outstanding architect, Bernardo Morando. Zamość is an outstanding example of an innovative approach to town planning, combining the functions of an urban ensemble, a residence, and a fortress in accordance with a consistently implemented Renaissance concept. The result of this is a stylistically homogeneous urban composition with a high level of architectural and landscape values. A real asset of this great construction was its creative enhancement with local artistic architectural achievements.
More >>> http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/564
Zamość is about 20 kilometres from the picturesque Roztocze National Park. Beautiful nature is great background for active tourism: kayaking, hiking and biking tours.
Jewish Community
Zamość was an important centre of Chasidic Judaism. The Qahal of Zamość was founded in 1588. The first Jewish settlers were mainly Sephardi Jews coming from Italy, Spain, Portugal and Turkey. In the 17th century, Ashkenazi Jews also settled in the city and soon became the majority of the Jewish population. Before World War II, more than 12,500 Jews lived in Zamość; 43 percent of the population.
Today tourists have the opportunity to see the beautiful, old synagogue and building of the ritual baths (mikvah).
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