Main Town Hall in Gdańsk

The Main Town Hall in Gdańsk, a Gothic-Renaissance building, is situated at the junction of Długa Street and Długi Targ. As one of the most important architectural landmarks in Gdańsk, the town hall dominated the skyline of the Royal Route. Its history dates back to the end of the 13th century, when the first town hall was established in the form of a renovated merchant’s office. Over the following years, the building was expanded multiple times. The oldest parts of the town hall date from 1327–1336, and the first major reconstruction took place in the 14th century, when changes were introduced to the city's governance structure. Another significant expansion occurred in anticipation of King Casimir IV Jagiellon’s visit between 1454 and 1457. The building was remodeled in the Renaissance style after a major fire in 1556. The town hall became the venue for many important cultural and political events, including royal audiences and citizenship ceremonies. Its interiors feature representative halls such as the Red Hall and the White Hall, adorned with artworks from that period, including a series of paintings by Hans Vredeman de Vries. After World War II, the town hall was rebuilt, and its interiors were handed over to the Museum of Gdańsk History. An interesting fact is the new carillon installed in 2000, as well as the legends surrounding the city's coat of arms, which is heraldically incorrect, reflecting the rich tapestry of local traditions and history. Today, the town hall is an important point on Gdańsk’s tourist map, combining elements of architecture, art, and history.