The Tradition and Symbols of a Place in Shaping Public Spaces through the Example of the Transformation of Litewski Square in Lublin, Poland

Abstract

Litewski Square is widely known as the place where the Lithuanian envoys camped to attend the Union Sejm in 1569. Today, Litewski Square represents a space of transformation. The urban public spaces of the square have been rebuilt several times, each instance delineating a distinct rendering of tradition and history. In this article, the evolution of the square is presented in order to analyse three main aspects. Over the years and under changing political conditions, its meaning, role, and function have shifted. Traditions and symbols that shape the space of the square have changed; these changing symbols have influenced how the meaning and functionality of the square have evolved over time. The research methodology of this paper is based on historical and interpretative studies. This form of analysis made it possible to identify the successive stages of the transformation of Litewski Square and, accordingly, in the context of changing political conditions, identify the elements that are important for the meaning of the square today. Litewski Square has evolved from an urban space with a clearly defined function to a multifunctional public space: from a memorial square into a modern space of leisure and entertainment. This paper argues that the accumulation of commemorative elements and directly adjacent recreational spaces give the impression of a lapidary, the constituent elements of which devalue each other. What this means is that, even as the number of commemorative symbolic elements have increased, their status is degraded, as well as that of Litewski Square as a whole.