Radnice (Sokolov) Town hall

The Old Town Hall in Sokolov is a historic building with features of the Saxon Renaissance. It was originally built in the 16th century and served as a seat of the city administration. Over the centuries, it has undergone several reconstructions, including classical modifications in the nineteenth century. The building is today protected as a cultural monument of the Czech Republic and currently serves as a representative seat of Sokolov coal company.

The building on the Old Square of Sokolov was built in the 16th century. During the siege of the city, the Saxon army burned down. In 1794 lightning struck the turret. The tower was built again, but in 1873 it was destroyed by a fire and was not restored. The reconstruction in classical style took place between 1835 and 1836. Another modification was the extension of the right wing to Castle Street in 1850. City Hall served its purpose until the mid-20th century. For a certain period of time, the building served as a seat of the district court and capital. The county chief had an apartment here and land books were stored here. The town hall building used to be a city shank and archive. There were also stables, a ballroom and prison cells. After 1945 he partially used the building of the Municipal National Committee for some of his offices. In 1976 external plaster and plastering were repaired, the building served as the headquarters of the District Enterprise of the local economy. After 1989 the City of Sokolov took over the building. After the reconstruction from 1994 to 1995, which was financed by Sokolov coal, the historical town hall serves the company.

The building is part of a building block, which is defined by Castle Street, which connects the Old Square with the Sokolov Castle and Cross Street. The historic Renaissance Town Hall has preserved its original appearance in many characteristic features of the so-called Saxon Renaissance. The main facade with the original stone portal and high saddle hambleback roof is situated in the Old Square. The roof ridge is parallel to the square. The building is understacked, unstacked are two wings of the building that are adjacent to the main building. The whole rectangular plan closes house No. 130 on the south side.

The entrance stone portal is located in the front of the building. During the classical reconstruction between 1835 and 1836, the appearance of the facade changed. There is a mazhaus behind the entrance. The rooms on the left and on the right are sealed anyway. In the left part there is a staircase which led to the large municipal hall on the first floor. The upstairs rooms were classicically modified. They're mostly flat-ceiling, wooden tapestry with a Fabion ledge. In the room opposite the stairwell, the original sieve-sealed ceiling was preserved. In its original form, the Renaissance crows were preserved.

The city emblem was placed above the main portal when the building was extended to rear tracks. Three combined windows are made in the axis above the upper threshold. In the other facade area, the windows are combined into pairs. Side shields are rhythmised by so-called odd arcades.

The Old Town Hall in Sokolov is remarkable with its Renaissance architecture and preserved original appearance. Its history dates back to the sixteenth century, when it was built as a seat of the city administration. Over the centuries, it has undergone several reconstructions, including classical modifications in the nineteenth century. The building is today protected as a cultural monument of the Czech Republic and currently serves as a representative seat of Sokolov coal company.

The owners of the building were the City of Sokolov (after 1989) and the company Sokolov coal (after reconstruction 1994- 1995). The building underwent some dramatic changes, including a fire during the siege of the city by the Saxon army in 1632 and a lightning strike into the tower in 1794. In 1873, the turret was destroyed by fire and was no longer restored.

The key events in the history of the building are its burnt out during the siege of the city by the Saxon army in 1632 and the lightning strike into the tower in 1794. In 1835 a classical reconstruction began, which changed the appearance of the facade. In 1850, the right wing was extended. In 1994, the reconstruction financed by Sokolov coal was completed in 1995.

Today, the building is open to the public and worth a visit. It is remarkable by its Renaissance architecture and its preserved original appearance. Her history dates back to the sixteenth century and has undergone some dramatic changes. If you're interested in history and architecture, it's worth a visit.