Chancellor Jan Zamoysky founded Zamosc in the 16th century on the trade route linking western and northern Europe with the Black Sea. Architect Bernando Morando from Padua modeled and built Zamosc on Italian theories of the 'ideal city'. Zamosc is a perfect example of a late 16th century Renaissance town. It has retained its original layout and fortifications.

Many buildings that combine Italian and central European architectural traditions also survived. Zamosc is a unique example of a Renaissance town in Central Europe.

It's consistently designed and built according with the Italian theories of the “ideal town,” on the basis of a plan which was the result of perfect collaboration between the open-minded founder, Jan Zamoyski, and the outstanding architect, Bernardo Morando.

Optimal Town Planning

Zamosc is an outstanding example of an innovative approach to town planning. It combines the functions of an urban ensemble, a residence, and a fortress according 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.

Located on the trade route linking western and northern Europe with the Black Sea, the town was from the beginning conceived as an economic centre based on trade.

The town's community, which from the outset planned to be multinational from the start, had a high level of religious tolerance. Zamosc is a real reflection of the social and cultural ideas of the Renaissance, which were strongly accepted in Poland. Establishment of a university (Zamosc Academy) by the founder and owner of the town is an example of this.