Freedom Square in Lipiany

Freedom Square is a rectangular square in the centre of the Old Town in Lipiany, called Markt in German until 1945. It was originally the main market square of the oldest part of the town, and today the town hall stands on it.

Layout and buildings

Five streets lead to the square: Jedności Narodowej, Adama Mickiewicza, Oświęcimska, Zaczynaj and Górna. The plots around it were built up with small townhouses in the Neoclassical style or in half-timbered construction. During the capture of the town in 1945 the buildings of the square were not seriously damaged and survived almost entirely. Only part of the north-western frontage and a corner building on Mickiewicza Street were lost, and a green space is there today.

Town hall and Peace Oak

The first town hall stood in the middle of the square in the 14th century. At the turn of the 18th and 19th centuries it was demolished and a new, Neoclassical one was built, with a gable decorated with a sculpture of townspeople with the beer called Zaczynaj, for which Lipiany was famous. In the early 20th century a fire station was added to the rear façade. In front of the town hall, the Peace Oak, also called the Brewers' Oak, has grown since 1816 and has been designated a natural monument.

Practical information

• Location: the centre of the Old Town in Lipiany, Pyrzyce County.
• Next to it stands the Church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, less than 200 m from the square.
• The square is open to everyone; opening hours for the town hall are given by its administrator.