Kościuszko Square in Białystok

Kościuszko Market in Białystok is a representative promenade that plays an important role in the city center, connecting John Paul II Square with Suraska and Lipowa Streets. It is a cultural and recreational area, home to an architectural ensemble consisting of Planty Park, the Branicki Palace, and Kościuszko Market. In the future, there are plans to connect this location with Central Park, which houses the Puppet Theater, an amphitheater, and an Orthodox church. Kościuszko Market is accompanied by numerous valuable monuments. The eastern part of the Market is adorned with the oldest preserved monument in the city, the Church of St. Roch, built in 1621, which was renovated in the Rococo style during the time of Jan Klemens Branicki. Next to it stands a Neo-Gothic church, completed in the 20th century, serving as a "brick commentary" on the history of Polish persecution under the partitions. The Town Hall, built in 1761, played a significant role in the city's trade until World War II, and after its reconstruction in the 1950s, it now houses the District Museum. The Market is surrounded by numerous historically valuable buildings, such as the cathedral, the Ton cinema, the State Archives, and restaurants. Particularly notable is the western façade of Kościuszko Market, distinguished by beautiful tenement houses decorated with sgraffito technique, depicting figures important to the region, such as Fr. Krzysztof Kluk or Princess Anna Jabłonowska. The Market is a pedestrian zone, which enhances its cultural function, and nearby bus stops provide easy access to this attractive location. Thus, Kościuszko Market is not only a meeting place but also a living witness to the rich history and culture of Białystok.