The paper is a brief outline of the history of urban development in Kórnik, a small town 20 km away from Poznan. Particular emphasis was placed on aspect of the development of the central square in the city. Initially, the square served as a market squares. Along with the development of municipal functions, major urban buildings were built at the markets: the town hall, church and municipal scale. After the market functions have been withdrawn, the central squares became the main, central spaces of local, social life. There were organized main events and ceremonies, but above all they served as a meeting place for citizens. Along with the development of urban prosperity, the markets were decorated with greenery, benches were placed on them, and embellished. At the turn of the twentieth and twenty-first century, the time came for „great renovation of the markets”, which led to the fact that they all look similar – concrete flower pots, fountains and lots of cars – this image of the market will be left to the next generations.