Prague City Line Stránka 15 « » Old Town Hall – development of a historical gem

Old Town Hall – development of a historical gem

Every day thousands of tourists hurry to see the building which has been the main view point of the square for centuries. Yes, it is the Old Town Hall with the famous Astronomical Clock. Join us and discover the secret and development of this historical building.

Old Town Square

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Beginning of the construction
Finally in1338 the wish of the Prague´s Old Town citizens came true when their sovereign Jan Lucemburský (John of Luxembourg) gave them rights to build their own town hall. The present Staroměstské náměstí was chosen to be the most suitable place. A Gothic corner house belonging to a merchant Wolfin of Kámen became the foundations of the town hall´s construction. The house was built in the 13th century therefore it is considered one of the most precious parts of the construction. There used to be a prismatic turret attached to the house, however originally not that high to meet the concepts of the citizens.

In 1364 the construction works started which resulted in its elevation. Twenty years later a Gothic town hall chapel was established in the tower. It was built by a noted German architect, stone mason and sculptor Petr Parléř. From his works we need to mention Karlův most (Charles Bridge), kapli Všech svatých (All Saints Chapel) at Pražský hrad (Prague Castle), kostel Matky Boží před Týnem (Church of Our Lady before Týn), kaple svatého Václava katedrály svatého Víta (Chapel of St. Wenceslas inside St. Vitus Cathedral), chrám svaté Barbory (St. Barbara´s Church) in Kutná Hora and many more significant structures.

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The town hall is getting larger
The second house of the town hall was joined to the existing building in 1360. It was a house on the western side of the first house. Here the Town Hall chamber was built later. The chamber currently ranks among the most popular places for contracting marriages because it is still used for this purpose. The Town Hall Chamber is especially unique due to its gorgeous wooden ceiling. In 1410 the Old Town Astronomical Clock was set in motion for the first time in the Old Town Hall due to which the town hall has become the most popular sight of the Old Town Square. Another enlargement of the town hall´s south wing followed in 1458, this time the so-called Mikšův dům (Mikšův House) was joined.

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The construction works took place also between 1805 – 1807. It was when the entirely new clock was placed at the top of the tower and consequently a gallery was annexed. The gallery is still used as a viewing point over the whole historical centre of Prague. You can mainly view Staroměstské náměstí from a bird´s eyeview. In 1835 some more houses were annexed to the Town Hall. Then the demolition of the houses in the east wing followed. In their place a splendid Neo-Gothic wing was built between 1838- 1848. However, this part of the Town Hall completely burnt down at the end of WW2, unfortunatelly including also a great number of books and historical documents of immense value. There was nothing left but burned walls which were later pulled down. Recently a few architectonical tenders for the completion of the town hall based on its original image were opened but none of the projects has been performed until today.

Address:
Staroměstská radnice (Old Town Hall)
Staroměstské náměstí 3, 4/1,
Praha 1 – Staré Město, 110 00

Connection:
Tram: 17, 18, 53 Staroměstská (from there follow Kaprova street)
Bus: 133 Staroměstská (from there follow Kaprova street)
Metro: A – Staroměstská (from there follow Kaprova street)

GPS: 50°5’13.571″N, 14°25’14.397″E

Transport connection:
Search for connections: click here
Information on Prague transport: click here
Information on Prague public transport: click here

Opening hours:
All year long, January – December:
halls: Mon 11 am – 6 pm, Tue – Sun 9 am – 6 pm
tower: Mon 11 am – 10 pm, Tue – Sun 9 am – 10 pm

Barrier-free lift from the ground floor to the 3rd storey – it is linked by an independent lift to the town hall tower – the both lifts are connected by a drivable platform

Entrance fees:
Adults – 100 Kč
Children from 6 to 15 years, students from 15 to 26 years (after showing their student card, seniors/pensioners from 65 years) – 50 Kč
Children up to 6 years, disabled persons ZTP, ZTP+P, journalists – 20 Kč

Family tickets
(max. 2 adults + max. 4 children up to 15 years) – 200 Kč

Group of basic school pupils of max. 30 persons + max. 2 adults
(after showing confirmation issued by the basic shool) – 500 Kč
Kindergartens
group of max. 30 children incl. company of max. 2 persons – 300 Kč

Photogallery of the Old Town Hall