Former church and monastery of the Poor Clares in Zamość

The former Poor Clares monastery complex in Zamość, located in the Old Town at T. Kościuszki Street, is a historic architectural ensemble that includes the former Church of St. Anne and the monastery of the Poor Clares nuns. The church, built around 1696 in the Baroque style, was founded by Anna Franciszka Gnińska, the wife of the ordynat (estate holder) Marcin Zamoyski, and was characterized by a simple single-nave structure and a small bell tower on the roof. The Neoclassical monastery, on the other hand, was constructed between 1757 and 1775 according to a design by Jerzy de Kawe and consisted of three wings housing cells, residences, and utility rooms. After the dissolution of the Poor Clares order in 1782 and temporary use by other religious orders, the complex lost its sacred character. In the 19th century, the church was converted into a public utility building, and the monastery primarily served as barracks. During the interwar period and after World War II, the buildings retained various functions, including housing the police and the District Savings Bank. In the 1990s, due to its poor condition, the complex was considered an eyesore in the Old Town district. However, in 2007, comprehensive renovation work began, which culminated in the restoration of the church to its historical appearance. Since 2010, the complex has housed a state music school, and the church serves as a concert hall, representing a successful example of heritage revitalization and its new cultural use in Zamość. The former Poor Clares monastery complex not only reflects the development of Baroque and Neoclassical architecture but also illustrates the complicated history of the site and the changes in its function over the centuries.