Town Hall in Szydłowiec

The Szydłowiec Town Hall is a late Renaissance building constructed between 1602 and 1629, which serves as the seat of the mayor and the local government administration of the city. Designed by architects Kasper Fodyga and his brother Albrecht, it was situated in the central point of the quadrilateral Market Square, in accordance with the principles of Magdeburg Law. The structure features a rectangular layout with turrets at the corners and a prominent tower on the eastern side, topped with a domed vault that served both aesthetic and practical purposes, as it originally housed a prison. The town hall's facade, plastered in white, is decorated with sgraffito depicting the Passion of Christ. Historically, the building has undergone many upheavals – after being devastated by the Austrians in 1809 and damaged during World War I, which significantly affected the tower, it was repeatedly rebuilt. During these works, its appearance changed, and it acquired its final form after the end of World War II. The town hall is one of the best-preserved examples of late Renaissance architecture in Poland, making it a valuable historical monument. Today, it plays an important role in the cultural and administrative life of Szydłowiec, also housing the Civil Registry Office and the Department of Civic Affairs. In the basement of the town hall, there is a café called "Piwnica Szydłowiecka," which further attracts tourists and residents. Its exceptional architectural qualities, rich history, and current functions make the town hall a key landmark on the map of Szydłowiec and an important element of the region's cultural heritage.