Wrocław Town Hall

The Old Town Hall in Wrocław is a late Gothic building located in the city's Market Square. It is one of the best-preserved town halls in Poland and a major landmark of Wrocław. The structure, which was in use for about 250 years, was built in several stages from the end of the 13th century to the 16th century. The town hall is masonry-built, with a basement, two floors, and a three-bay layout, featuring a 66-meter-high tower that houses the oldest Polish clock bell from 1368. In the 1990s, the Museum of Bourgeois Art was established inside the town hall. The Świdnica Cellar, located in its basement, is one of the oldest operating restaurants in Europe. The architecture of the town hall is characterized by Gothic elements, including richly decorated gables and ornaments, and its façades showcase a diversity of styles and decorations, including Renaissance details. Also noteworthy are the depictions of rulers and historical figures on the façade, which date from the 19th and 21st centuries. The interior of the town hall houses many significant rooms, such as the Council Chamber, the Burghers' Hall—now serving as a gallery of famous Wrocław residents—and the Great Hall, which is the largest room and has witnessed numerous ceremonies. The history of the town hall is rich and complex, reflecting the development of the city. The building has undergone numerous renovations and restorations and now stands as a testament to Wrocław's rich history and a venue for important cultural events. Interestingly, the town hall was not the first building in the Market Square—that title belongs to the Merchants' House—and the history of the town hall itself is closely tied to the development of local municipal administration.