From excavations to investments in the Old Market Square in Częstochowa
Authors: Młodkowska-Przepiórowska Iwona 
Published: January 2024

The Old Market Square in Częstochowa has been the subject of interest of historians, archaeologists and conservation services since the 1960s. Archaeological research was carried out on and completed in 2012. From May 2019 to the present day, during the earthworks related to the investment, archaeological works have been going on, covering the spaces of access streets – roadways to the market square and pavements, as well as the areas that, for technical reasons, have not previously been covered by the research. Relics of the foundations of the extension to the building and a cellar with a wooden well were uncovered on the south side of the building. Garbage pits with 17th century antique items were found in the ceiling of the cellar. Under the supervision of specialists, cellars 1 and 2 were cleared of rubble and their bottom layers were examined. Under the sidewalks of Mirowska and Stary Rynek streets, the ceilings of the cellars were found to protrude about 4.0 m beyond the southern and eastern frontages buildings, which defines the width of the arcades. During the earthworks near the church of St. Zygmunt, a skeleton of a woman with a body of a child resting next to her was uncovered in the former cemetery. The appearance of the Old Market Square has long been important for the inhabitants and authorities of Częstochowa. In 2013, the Provincial Office for the Protection of Historic Monuments –Branch Office in Częstochowa asked the Mayor of Częstochowa to develop a concept of taking care of the relics of the inner-city market buildings. In October 2014, the City of Częstochowa signed a contract with the Association of Polish Architects (SARP) for the announcing and conducting a competition for the reconstruction and extension of the building of the Częstochowa Old Town Hall. The competition was concluded in February 2015. The competition was won by the design of Michał Bernasik, an architect from Cologne. The subject of the design was a building hidden underground, below the market square, functioning as a museum and its extension on both, the underground and aboveground level. The detailed design, taking into account the current conditions and the initial assumptions of the design awarded in the competition, was made by an architect, K. Borowiecki. The city of Częstochowa obtained funds for the investment from the Regional Operational Program of the Province of Silesia. Since 2012, starting with workshops attended by the inhabitants of Częstochowa, in particular the Old Town, work has been carried out to revive and raise the rank and prestige of that part of the city. The reconstruction of the Old Market Square, giving it a new look and new functions were part of the Urban Revitalization Program of the Old Town / Market Square area, which recognized that the arrangement of this space would stimulate the activity of residents, increase spatial attractiveness, and encourage business companies to locate their offices in that part of the city. The urban and architectural assumptions compliant to these goals are reflected in the resolution No. 274.XXIII.2016 of the Częstochowa City Council of March 31, 2016 on the local spatial development plan for the area located in Częstochowa in the districts of Zawodzie-Dąbie and the Old Town and the premises of the Jurajska Gallery, in which the conditions and methods of land development covering the historic urban layout of the Old Town were specified. Relics of downtown old-market-square building cluster – historic cellars are to be located under the pavilion visible above the surface of the market square. They were subjected to conservation, as well as works protecting and strengthening their structure. Currently, activities have been started by the Częstochowa Museum to the prepare and adapt the facility to museum purposes and organize an archaeological and historical exhibition in it in an attractive and modern form.