rynok

Rynok is a toponym used in Ukrainian and other Slavic languages for a central public square or marketplace in a town or city. The word derives from Ukrainian rynok meaning market and is cognate with Polish rynek and Russian rynok, reflecting a common medieval urban pattern in which merchants gathered in a central open space that also served civic functions.

In Ukraine, several towns designate their central square as Rynok or Rynok Square. The best-known example is Lviv's Rynok Square (Ploshcha Rynok) in the city’s Old Town. The square is bordered by historic façades spanning Renaissance to Baroque periods and is dominated by the Town Hall with its tall tower. It forms part of the Historic Centre of Lviv, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Beyond Lviv, the term remains a traditional name for the central market square in other Ukrainian cities, such as Ivano-Frankivsk, where the main square is commonly referred to as Rynok. Across many towns, Rynok has historically hosted markets, fairs, and public gatherings, and today these spaces continue to function as focal points for markets, cultural events, and civic ceremonies, preserving their role as the social and economic heart of the locality.