When walking along the Royal Road in Gdańsk, you will certainly notice the monumental building of the Main Town Hall.
Its Gothic-Renaissance architecture dominates the historic panorama, taking walkers back in time to the era when Gdańsk was an important urban and commercial center.
The town hall, which was built in the first half of the 14th century, has seen numerous reconstructions, each adding new layers of history and splendor.
Over the centuries, from the mayors' term of office, through the meetings of the City Council and the Bench, to the court called the Veto Court, every corner of this place has its own unique history.
A fire in 1556, which triggered reconstruction in the Renaissance style, added even more character, with a new spire to the tower and a gilded statue of King Sigismund II Augustus.
Today, the Town Hall serves as the Museum of the History of the City of Gdańsk, opening its doors to residents and tourists who can admire original interiors and exhibitions reflecting the city's rich heritage.
Don't forget to visit the Great Council Hall and the Great Weta Hall, and in summer, take advantage of the opportunity to enter the viewing gallery on the tower, from where there is a beautiful panorama of Gdańsk.
So plan a visit to the Main Town Hall during your walk around Gdańsk - it is not only a journey through its rich history, but also an opportunity to see the city from a completely new perspective.
History of the Main Town Hall in Gdańsk
The Main Town Hall in Gdańsk, located at the junction of Długa Street and Długi Targ, is a Gothic-Renaissance building whose silhouette dominates the panorama of the Royal Road - the most representative route of the historic part of the city. J
Its origins date back to the early Middle Ages and from the 14th century it was the seat of the authorities of the most important area of Gdańsk, called the Main City.
The building was built in the first half of the 14th century as a brick, one-story building. It was expanded by the master mason Heinrich Ungeradin in the years 1379-1382. In the following centuries, as the city developed, the Town Hall underwent numerous reconstructions, especially intensive in the 15th and 16th centuries.
Then its dimensions were increased so that it could fulfill various functions - from the office of mayors, through the meetings of the City Council and the Bench, to the court called the Veto Court.
The culminating moment in the history of the town hall was the fire that broke out on October 3, 1556. Removing its effects initiated the reconstruction of the building in the Renaissance style.
As part of the reconstruction, in the years 1559-1560, a new, magnificent tower spire was built, and a gilded statue of King Sigismund II Augustus was placed on the spire.
The growing wealthy bourgeoisie of Gdańsk at the end of the 16th and the beginning of the 17th century sought to emphasize the position of the city, which was reflected in the beautification of the interior of the Town Hall.
This work was carried out by masters of the golden age of Gdańsk art, such as Isaac van den Block, Hans Vredeman de Vries, Willem van der Meer, and Anton Moeller, creating wonderful representative rooms on the first floor.
World War II brought further destruction, but the Town Hall was saved. The reconstruction, which began in 1946, is considered one of the outstanding achievements of Polish post-war conservation art. Since 1970, the building has served as the seat of the Museum of the History of the City of Gdańsk.
Architecture of the Main Town Hall in Gdańsk
The Main Town Hall in Gdańsk represents a combination of Gothic and Renaissance styles, which is an expression of the architectural evolution it has undergone over the centuries.
The original structure of the town hall, with a brick ground floor and a half-timbered first floor, underwent significant reconstructions and expansions over time, which gave it its current, majestic appearance.
Around 1346, it was decided to make the first major change, replacing the frame floor with two brick floors, each just over 3 meters high. There was a council chamber on the ground floor and a bench above.
Additional reconstructions took place in the years 1379 - 1382, when the building was extended westwards, adding new rooms for the municipal scales and a court hall, now known as the Red Hall.
One of the oldest rooms of the town hall is the Pile Chamber, which has been operating since the end of the 14th century. Originally a merchant's hall where city taxes were collected, over time it transformed into an important place for gathering representatives of various city bodies.
The most impressive place is the Great Hall of Weta (White Hall), where royal audiences and meetings of the Three Orders were held.
In the mid-15th century, the town hall tower, originally low and made of a frame structure, was demolished and replaced with a new brick structure, which today dominates the southern façade.
In 1492, the tower was decorated with a slender dome covered with copper sheet, which further emphasized its representative character.
In 1537, new three-story buildings began to be built around the courtyard, creating three wings added to the north-west wall of the former town hall. Their rooms on the first floor were covered with Gothic vaults, giving them additional character.
The façade facing Długa Street is particularly noteworthy, with a centrally located clock tower, the height of which is an impressive 82 meters including the dome.
This dominant part of the building is one of the most characteristic architectural elements of Gdańsk.
The Main Town Hall today - functions and accessibility for tourists
The Main Town Hall in Gdańsk, after years of performing administrative functions, today serves primarily as the Museum of the History of the City of Gdańsk.
The change of function allowed us to open the doors of this historic building to residents and tourists, offering them a unique look at the rich history of Gdańsk.
The museum offers a number of permanent and temporary exhibitions that present both the history of the town hall itself and the broader historical context of the city.
Particularly noteworthy are the exhibitions located in the Great Council Hall and the Great Weta Hall, where visitors can admire original equipment and decorations that have survived centuries.
In summer, the town hall also invites you to visit the viewing gallery located on the tower. From a height of about 50 meters, there is a beautiful panorama of Gdańsk, allowing you to admire both the historic part of the city and the modern districts.
This is one of the most attractive viewpoints in the city from where you can see. the famous cranes of the Gdańsk Shipyard or the narrow streets of the Main Town.
For those who want to learn more about the history of the town hall and the city, the museum also offers guides and audio guides available in several languages. This allows visitors from different parts of the world to better appreciate the importance and history of this place.
The Main Town Hall in Gdańsk is therefore not only a monument, but also a living educational and cultural center that still plays an important role in the life of the city and its inhabitants.
This is a facility that every tourist should include on their list of places to visit during their stay in Gdańsk.
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