Radnice (Lázně Bohdaneč) Town hall

Welcome to Bohdanchi Spa. Right now, you're standing on the southeast side of Masaryk Square and in front of you is the building of the historic town hall. Give a moment to this first impression and feel the atmosphere of a place where centuries of history mingles with today's city life. Look before you at this important work, which forms an unimaginable dominant square and remembers the events that shaped the face of the entire area.

Let's move back in time to the 16th century to understand how this building came into being. It was the year of fifteen hundred forty, when the noble Great Jan z Pernštejna officially authorized the construction of a new town hall. But its foundations go even deeper into the past. The Renaissance City Hall was not created on empty soil, but by combining the three originally Gothic houses that stood before it. Originally, it was a single storey building that boasted three arcades.

Now pay attention to the architecture of the building within your sight. Look at this valuable facade and see the changes that the building has undergone over the centuries. The fate of this monument has not always been merciful. In seventeen hundred seventy-two, the city was hit by a devastating fire that severely damaged City Hall. But there was a great recovery. The building underwent extensive repairs and gained a new face in the baroque spirit according to the design of the builder whose last name was Jedlička. These works were successfully completed in seventeen hundred eighty-three. Later the builder Baše also participated in the construction modifications.

When we think about what everyday life was like in these places, we have very interesting human stories. The building has served the needs of the city administration faithfully for centuries, but unexpected things have also happened here. There was an inn on the ground floor of the building in earlier times. It may sound funny, but the rules at the time were very strict. The tenant of this inn even had to prove his moral record to the authorities before he could start drinking and serving food to the guests. But it looked quite different underground. In the basement of the town hall used to be a warehouse of salt and cannabis, which were at times extremely valuable and strategic commodities for the whole wide area.

When we look at further developments in modern history, the town hall did not lose its importance for the cultural life of the people. There was a big event in the building in the year one thousand nine hundred thirty. In the two halls of the town hall there was a ceremonial open city museum that brought people closer to local history and traditions. This cultural dimension continues today. We can move on to the recent year, two thousand and sixteen, when City Hall passed through another important chapter. At that time, a renovated restaurant was opened to the public and at the same time a completely new museum exhibition showing visitors fascinating archaeological findings from the region.

So when you're standing in front of this historic house, remember how many generations of people have passed these walls. John of Pernštejn might not recognize his city today, but the town hall, whose construction he generously allowed at the time, stands still with us as a silent witness to the ages. We hope this storytelling prompted you to explore again. Explore the peaceful steps of the entire Masaryk Square, look into the adjacent streets and let yourself breathe in the spa comfort. Thank you for listening to our audio guide, we wish you a wonderful experience from the visit to the Boddanče Spa and see you at the other places of interest.