Radnice (Uherský Brod) Town hall

Welcome to Uhersky Broda. Right now, you're standing in Masaryk Square, and there's a building in front of you that's the real heart of this city. Look at City Hall. It's a building that, at first glance, captures you with its upright and dignity. It is the dominion of the entire space, a symbol that the city has a long tradition of its own management and administration. When you look at it, you don't just see an ordinary building, but the embodiment of history, which is layered here on a layer.

Let's stop together to see how this building came into being. It's fascinating to realize that what you see today didn't start as City Hall. It was originally a noble house from the late Gothic era. Imagine how the nobles once lived in these walls before the building turned into the center of urban life. Over time, her appearance changed to match new times. First came Renaissance modifications and later baroque reconstructions, which gave her the present character. In these areas, the paths of many great people intersect. Among the names associated with the history of the site are Pavel Makovka, Mariana Beřkovská from Šebířov or Václav Kokorský from Kokor. They also left a trail of Lev Vilém z Kounic, Dominik Ondřej z Kounic or Vilibald Růžička. The architectural form of the building was shaped by masters like Michal Kravaň, Pavel Kravaň and Michael Graváni.

Now pay attention to details that you can observe directly in front of you. Look carefully at the front of the building. If you look carefully at the facade, you will notice one very interesting detail, which is a silent witness of ancient times. It's the original Gothic stone arch. This element is one of the extinct arches that once existed here. It's a rare fragment that reminds us of what the square looked like centuries ago.

Now raise your eyes high. Your attention certainly attracts a high tower that reaches a height of five feet. This tower is not only an ornament, it carries several important milestones. In the year seven hundred and fifteen, the building was completed, which was symbolized by the lifting of the statue of Justice. Justice is a common symbol in the town hall, because it was here that the rights and obligations of the people were decided. A little later, in the year seven hundred and twenty-three, František Lang made the clock, which measured the time of the whole city and determined the rhythm of his day.

If you look up at the tower, look for a little statue. This is the figure of Black Janko, which was placed on the tower in the year eight hundred and ninety-eight. It is a small detail, but it is an interesting element of local narrative for locals and visitors. The whole building has been declared a cultural monument of the Czech Republic thanks to its value and importance since the year nine hundred and fifty-eight.

So far, we've talked about what we can see above ground. But the history of City Hall is hidden deep beneath your feet. Imagine that there are large underground spaces below the front of the building. These basements and corridors are part of a wider underground network that has often been used for various purposes in historic cities, ranging from storage to safe movement at critical times. It's kind of an invisible side of the city hall that gives the building a certain flame of mystery.

Today the town hall no longer serves the nobles, but it still performs its important role as an administrative centre of the village. It is a place where the day-to-day administration of the city is combined with a deep history that places its roots in the Gothic period. When you look at a building, see it as a book where every remodel and every added element, such as clocks or statues, represents a new chapter in the history of Uhersky Brod.

Notice how harmoniously different periods fit together. From the Gothic arch to the Baroque elements to later accessories on the tower. It's proof of continuity and how the city treated its monument for centuries. This building has survived many changes in politics and society, and it still stands as a proud guardian of the square.

Now that you know the story of this building, I suggest you observe its details for a while. Try to imagine what noise and hustle must have been at the archway at a time when it was still functional, or what sound had to have a clock for people who didn't have their own clock in their pocket at that time.

I hope this short trip to history has helped you to see better the beauty and importance of the Hungarian City Hall. It's a place that tells about the power, justice and craftsmanship of architects and builders. We now invite you to explore the beauty of the Hungarian Brod. Go through the rest of the square, perceive the atmosphere of this historic city and discover other hidden corners waiting for you. Thank you for your attention and wish you a pleasant continued journey to explore.