"From the History of the Armenian Community in Zamość" (continued) - Miroslawa ZAKRZEWSKA-DUBASOWA

The article by Mirosława Zakrzewska-Dubasowa, "From the History of the Armenian Community in Zamość" (continued), is devoted to the analysis of the trading and craft activity of the Armenian community of Zamość in the 16th–17th centuries, based on fragments of the author's book "Ormianie w dawnej Polsce."

Introduction and Methodology

The publication is a continuation of a series of fragments from the monograph begun in the previous issue of the journal. The material is built on archival sources — Armenian communal books, court records, and the merchants' trade correspondence — which allow the reconstruction of the specific mechanisms of the eastern trade conducted by Polish Armenians.

The Moldavian Trade Route

The author examines in detail the role of the Moldavian trade route linking Poland with Constantinople. It is noted:

• the early emergence of Armenian colonies in Moldavia (Suceava, Iași, Siret, Chernivtsi, and others);
• the privileges granted to Armenian merchants by Moldavian rulers (in particular, by Alexander the Good in 1407);
• the active trade and credit relations between merchants of Zamość, Kamianets, Lviv, and the Moldavian Armenians, confirmed by numerous court and debt documents.

The Assortment of Eastern Trade

Particular attention is given to the structure of the trade turnover: livestock (oxen), dried fish, wines (Wallachian, Hungarian, Malmsey), as well as eastern fabrics, belts, turbans, and carpets. It is emphasized that Chancellor Jan Zamoyski sought to obtain fair privileges for Zamość, including the right to trade in fish.

Carpet Weaving as an Element of Eastern Culture

The author describes the organization of Persian carpet production in Zamość, connected with the activity of Sefer Muratowicz, who received a privilege to manufacture carpets after the Persian model. An example is given of carpets commissioned for King Sigismund III in Kashan, some of which became part of the royal daughter's dowry.

Trade Correspondence and Business Connections

Based on surviving correspondence (in particular, the contract between Mikołaj Gadzewicz and a merchant from Ankara), the practice of organizing joint trading ventures is shown, including the purchase of silk, carpets, and fabrics in Bursa, Tokat, and Istanbul, as well as conflict situations that arose in settlements between partners.

The Lublin Fairs

The competition between Lviv and Lublin for the right to host eastern merchants is examined, as well as the role of Zamość as an intermediary that stimulated the revival of Lublin trade after obtaining exemption from Lviv's staple right. Specific cases of debt and trade transactions involving Armenian merchants from Zamość, Kamianets, and Lviv at the Lublin fairs are cited.

Key Conclusion

The author concludes that the success of eastern trade and craft in Zamość was determined both by the activity and extensive connections of Armenian merchants, spanning the space from Caffa and Persia to Lisbon and Gdańsk, and by the patronage of magnates, first and foremost Jan Zamoyski, who purposefully attracted Armenians to develop the city as a center of eastern trade and production.