Hala Targowa (Market Hall), Gdansk

The Market Hall was built in 1896 and designed by architect Kurt Fehlhaber. The hall was created to modernize trade by bringing vendors together in a structured indoor space. It stands on the former site of a Dominican monastery demolished in the 19th century.

The building reflects an eclectic architectural style typical of late 19th-century market halls, combining brick construction with a metal roof framework. Its elongated layout is divided into three interior bays by rows of cast-iron pillars, while large semicircular windows and clerestory openings allow natural light to fill the space. Small turret-like features punctuate the roofline, and decorative elements such as buttresses, polygonal forms, and the coat of arms of Gdansk add detail to the exterior.

Originally, the interior accommodated nearly 200 stalls, along with administrative offices and even a police station. Today, the hall continues to operate as a working market, with vendors offering fresh produce, meats, cheeses, baked goods, and regional specialties. A major restoration program begun in 2000 revealed an unexpected feature beneath the hall: the foundations of a Romanesque church associated with the early history of the site. These remains led to the creation of an underground archaeological museum, where visitors can view fragments of the medieval structure, including parts of the nave and chancel.