Old Town Hall Tower

Prague's Old Town Hall sits at the southwestern corner of Old Town Square and is a fascinating ensemble of formerly independent merchants' houses that were joined together into a single complex over the course of centuries. The architecture reflects this history: Romanesque lower levels are topped by Gothic additions, preserved both outside and inside. At the heart of the complex is the Gothic corner house of Wölflin from the late 13th century, which stands out for its richly decorated portal. The dominant feature is the town hall tower, nearly 70 meters (about 230 feet) tall, which was completed in 1364 and expanded up into the 19th century. On the south side of the tower is the world-famous Astronomical Clock, which has been running since 1410. Today, visitors can ride an elevator up the tower, which is fully accessible, and tour the historic chapel inside, which is dedicated to the Virgin Mary and features a remarkable five-arched oriel window from 1381.

The building's history is closely intertwined with Prague's political development. As early as 1338, the townspeople were granted the right of self-government, and for a long time the town hall served as the seat of the Old Town court, which also had jurisdiction over other Bohemian towns. In 1458, George of Poděbrady was elected king here, an event that is depicted today in large-format paintings in the so-called Brožík Hall. This hall, designed by Josef Chochol, is one of the largest rooms in the complex. The older council chamber from the 15th century impresses with its richly painted Renaissance coffered ceiling and historic furnishings. Tragic moments in history are also tied to the building, in particular the fighting during the Prague Uprising in May 1945, when the town hall was heavily damaged and partly set on fire.

After World War II, the building was extensively restored. The burned-out neo-Gothic annex was partly demolished and replaced by a small park with a memorial to the fallen. Since 1945, the Old Town Hall has no longer served as an administrative seat, as the city government moved to the New Town Hall. Today, the historic rooms are open to the public and offer a deep insight into Prague's urban history and culture.