Lithuanian Square: Lublin's Historic Heart

Spanning approximately 35,000 square meters, Lithuanian Square (Plac Litewski) serves as a physical bridge between the medieval Old Town and the modern commercial downtown of Lublin. Located along Krakowskie Przedmieście, this expansive pedestrian plaza acts as the city's grand front lawn.

A Historic Campsite

The sweeping open space takes its name from a 16th-century political event that reshaped European borders. During the 1569 Sejm sessions that forged the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth, the Lithuanian delegation camped on these grounds. That same year, King Sigismund II Augustus accepted the feudal homage of Albert Frederick, Duke of Prussia, on the site.

Under imperial Russian rule in the 19th century, tsarist authorities leveled an existing monastery and cemetery to create a military drill ground. They later constructed a large Russian Orthodox cathedral in the center of the square to symbolize imperial authority. Following Poland's restoration of independence, the cathedral was dismantled in the 1920s. The area was officially named Plac Litewski in 1925, although the name had appeared in print as early as 1839 in Seweryn Sierpiński's guidebook.

Monuments and Architecture

The square is surrounded by grand historic structures, including the Lubomirski Palace and the Czartoryski Palace. Several major monuments anchor the space, with the most prominent being an 1826 classicist cast-iron obelisk dedicated to the Union of Lublin. This monument, featuring a gilded bas-relief by Paweł Maliński, replaced an original 16th-century structure that was destroyed under tsarist rule. Other significant memorials include an equestrian statue of Marshal Józef Piłsudski, the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, and a monument dedicated to the Constitution of 3 May 1791.

The Modern Civic Heart

Today, Lithuanian Square serves as the primary outdoor gathering space for festivals and national commemorations. The rhythmic rushing and splashing of water fills the square during the day, emanating from a massive multimedia fountain complex. Reopened in 2017, the installation features 227 jets and hosts evening projection shows on water screens that illustrate the history of the city.

The square also houses an interactive circular digital screen known as The Portal. Unveiled in 2021, this installation broadcasts a live, continuous visual connection to Vilnius and other global cities, celebrating Lublin's historic role in multi-ethnic integration.

The Secret of the Baobab

For well over a century, the square was home to a massive black poplar locally known as the "Baobab." Planted around 1880, the tree served as a secret commemoration of the January Uprising against tsarist rule. It stood as a beloved local landmark and meeting point before eventually succumbing to disease.