 The town of Zamość was built and designed as a renaissance "citta ideale" or "ideal city" by the Italian architect Bernardo Morando for chancellor Zamoyski (the Old City quarter of Zamość has been placed on the UNESCO list of World Heritage Sites).The Old Synagogue is a prominent example of late Polish Renaissance or Mannerist style in harmony with the general urban design.The prayer hall represents the core of the building and during the middle of the 17th century two low porches for women were added to the north and south elevations.