Markets and fairs in Plock

The history of markets and fairs Plock since ancient times is associated with two places still existing today and which are important public spaces in the city: Piazza Narutowicza and the Old Market.

First in the early days of Plock is the land that time "the bishop of the city ', belonging to the cathedral chapter and the thirteenth century, called the canonical Market, the second -" city of the prince ", under secular power. The presence of at least the twelfth century fairs in the future support of Canon's Square, among others archaeological research. Also the incorporation charter of 1237 years of Plock privileges by replacing the townspeople, mentions the "new market" then called canonical as a place of trade.

These privileges confirmed Ziemowit I in 1255 and, therefore, Adam, Archbishop Julian in his monograph of the Historical notes that "the walls of the Cathedral Chapter of the New Town belonging to it created a market, called the canonical and the markets and stalls any, then tried to move, which, pulling the people of Old Town marketplace and the income was subject to long until the eighteenth century of disputes with the city hall of the Old Town ended last victory. "Over the last five centuries quite so rivalry between the two markets.

Important information about Plock markets gives us an inventory of the county of Plock written by the daughter of Governor Andrew Sierpskiego in 1572, which speaks of four annual fairs held in Plock in the day: St. Dominica, St. Michael, St. And St. Agnes. Sigismund. The trading days are Monday and Friday. (Quoted in Adam, Plock. Historical Monograph, Issue II, p 119).

From the seventeenth century to 1730, held in Plock is only one fair, which was one of the manifestations of an extremely difficult situation in which the Plock was after numerous fires and invasions zarazach Sweden. It has not helped the privileges offered to include by John Casimir in 1657 to free trade, and making a shambles and stalls. It was not until August II in 1730 the number of markets increased to six (!) At St. Casimir, St. Sigismund, Holy. Mary Magdalene, to the Birth of the Virgin, Saint. And St. Francis. Agatha. But as Adam concludes - not animated by the city (Adam, op. Cit, pp. 136-137). We should add that at that time ceases to be a canonical square exhibition space, and the only place in markets and fairs is now the Old Market.

In the nineteenth century, according to Hippolytus Gawarecki held four fairs held every year, as listed in the news about the town of Plock by date: January 2, 19 June, 7 September and 8 November, which were sold mainly agri - food, and when two of them (June and November) also wool. Fair and took place three times a week: on Monday, Friday and Sunday. Here trade also included construction materials, wood, cloth, soap, candles and more. New releases were "Nuremberg shops" selling fancy goods imported from abroad (quoted in Anna Stogowska, Plock in the years 1815-1830, in the Yearbook of History - Archival ... no).

Nineteenth century fairs organized in the Old Market ended with the transfer of the 1877 years to a new location - today's new market.