The Old Town Hall in Prague is not a stand-alone building, but a whole architectural complex of buildings located on the Old Town Square. Every hour, under the tower with the famous astronomical clock, crowds of tourists gather to watch the performance.
History of the Old Town Hall
In 1232, Stare Mesto received the status of a city. And every medieval city had its own Town Hall, in which the city administration, chancery, court and other services important for city self-government were located. However, the residents received permission to build the building from King Jan of Luxembourg only in 1338 - more than 100 years later. Then they decided not to erect a new building, but placed the Town Hall in the house of the merchant Wolf Kameny. A century later, a tower was added to his house, on which the famous chimes were later placed - an eagle. The clock shows simultaneously the phases of the moon, the main Christian holidays, the equinox, and every hour a performance is played here with the participation of the apostles and the rooster.
In the 15th century, the facade of the Town Hall was decorated with a splendid Gothic portal with the coats of arms of Bohemia and the Old Town. Then the rest of the buildings were added, including the wedding hall, which has been operating since 1871 and in our time. In 1945, during the liberation of the city, one wing of the building was badly damaged and it was not possible to restore it. The Town Hall has witnessed many events in the history of the city and the country. Here in 1458 the people elected King Jiří of Podebrady, a supporter of Jan Hus. And in 1627, 27 representatives of the Czech nobility - participants in the Uprising of the Estates - were executed.
Interior of the Town Hall
The interior of the City Hall is no less picturesque than its façade. The city council chamber, where the most important decisions were made for almost 700 years, has preserved a great many works of art from the Gothic period. The ceiling in the hall is decorated with rich paintings, and the walls are decorated with the coats of arms of handicraft workshops and some noble urban families. Court sessions were held in the hall, therefore there is an image of the goddess of justice Themis. There is also a sculpture of Christ with the inscription above it "Human race, let your judgment be just."
The main hall is decorated with works by Vaclav Brozik, the theme of which was the main events in the history of the Czech people: the election of King Jiří of Padebrad and the trial of Jan Hus. A Romanesque dungeon connects the basements of all the Town Hall buildings. There were once market warehouses here, and then casemates for prisoners sentenced to death. Now you can see the sculptural portraits of the patron saints of the Czech Republic. At the beginning of the 19th century, an observation deck was organized at the top of the Town Hall. An unforgettable view of the rooftops of the Old Town opens up from here.
[leveltravel country = ”CZ” city = ”Prague”]
Opening hours and ticket prices
The Town Hall is open daily from 9 am to 6 pm, except Mondays. To view the Town Hall, you need to purchase tickets. The ticket price for all visitors is 100 CZK. A single ticket to the Town Hall, to the observation deck and to the Tower with the Apostles - 180 CZK. A family ticket will cost you 210 CZK.
How to get there
The Town Hall can be reached by metro along the green line to Staromestska station. By tram (17, 18, 53, 194) you will need to get to the Staromestska stop. And then walk about 300 m along Kaprova street.
