Description of the attraction
The Town Hall is located in the area of the Old Town, in a place that is rightfully considered the most beautiful and most visited by tourists. The historic Royal Route, where the people solemnly greeted the processions of Polish kings and nobles, where the magnificent stone houses of the wealthy townspeople of past years are located, passed along the streets of Dluga and Dlugi Targ, and the town hall spread out its possessions at their intersection.
This richly decorated Gothic structure was built between 1379 and 1492 by Anthony van Obbergen. Her observation tower by Dirk Daniels, more than 80 meters high, has risen high above the houses, from which a wonderful view of the outskirts of Gdansk opens. Previously, the height of the Polish town hall towers often exceeded the height of the towers of cathedrals and churches, being a symbol of power. So in Gdansk, a grandiose tower dominates the narrow streets, the market square and the narrow quarters of the city. The richly decorated interior of the courtyard wings was designed by Dutch and local artists of the 16th century in the style of Dutch Mannerism.
In the middle of the 16th century, the buildings of the Town Hall were badly damaged. Later, its beauty was restored and augmented by a metal gilded statue of King Sigismund II Augustus on the dome of the tower, as well as a beautiful clock with 14 bells, delighting the townspeople and guests with a quiet chime. Thus, two clocks appeared on the town hall, one of which is solar.
The most respectable and richly decorated hall of the town hall is considered to be the majestic and solemn Great Hall of Soviets, or the Red Hall. It was decorated by the masters Simon Gerle, Hans Vredemann de Vries and Isaac van der Blocke. The brushes of the latter belong to 25 images that adorn the rafters of the hall. The most famous of them is the Renaissance plafond "The Apotheosis of the Gdańsk Trade", which depicts the conclusion of a transaction for the sale and purchase of grain of a nobleman and a merchant. The building's remarkable acoustics contribute to the magnificent Baroque organ sound.
The architecture of the town hall is replete with symbols and allegories: on one of the floors, there are several sculptures depicting Diligence, Wisdom, God's blessing and Industriousness. Pomor's strict power, embodied in red brick, was also displayed here: blank walls seem to be divided into steps that form niches, occasionally interrupted by windows. During the next restructuring, a baroque portal and intricate completion of the towers appeared.
The Town Hall has always been the seat of the city authorities. Now its renovated building houses the Historical City Museum of the city, the Cultural Center, a cafe, a pub and a restaurant. The city is governed from the building of the New Town Hall.
The square in front of the town hall is one of the most crowded places in the city. Since ancient times, it has hosted demonstrations and celebrations, magnificent meetings of kings and the rite of knighting.
