Zprávy památkové péče 2015, 75(3):201-210

Old Town Hall - an exceptional building of medieval Prague's past

Karel Kibic

This article summarizes findings concerning the historical and architectural development and the quality of the Old Town Hall. Historical/construction research was exhaustively worked up for the Old Town Hall and the neighboring houses (Dobroslav Líbal), city administration in the Old Town under Charles IV was newly assessed (Václav Ledvinka), and crests of distinguished members of the city council up to 1365 under Charles IV were ascertained from the facade of the chapel (Rostislav Nový). In the article, both issues are reflected in the development of the Town Hall building, while the question of whether the tower was already created during the time of the Volflin House or later during the Town Hall is left open. It does however point out the possibility that the unique layout of the Town Hall came about under the influence of Charles IV - the municipal hall was assumed from the Town Hall in Nuremberg, completed shortly before, as an important room for city administration, but in the Old Town the layout continued in the central link of the council and municipal hall to the chapel, located in the tower between them. A new layout therefore occurred in medieval European town hall architecture which has still been preserved to an important degree - the municipal hall, however, was demolished in 1838. In the second part of the article the author deals with the consideration of the possibilities of a historically corresponding solution to the renovation of the Town Hall as part of the overall completion of the Old Town Square.

Keywords: Old Town Hall, Karel IV, Nuremberg Town Hall, town square renovation

Published: September 1, 2015  Show citation