Stará radnice (Jablonec nad Nisou) Town hall

Welcome to Jablonica over Nisa. Right now you're standing in the Lower Square, in the very heart of this city, and before your eyes, one of the most important buildings in the whole area is standing. Before you go any further, stop for a moment and feel the atmosphere of this place. In front of you stands the old town hall, a building that is not only a wall and a stone, but a living witness to many years of urban life. Do you perceive the seriousness and elegance that this building radiates? It is an object that by its presence determines the character of the entire square and encourages you to look at it more carefully.

Let's go back in time together and understand how this building came to be. In order to understand the importance of this town hall, we need to look at the period when the city began to develop rapidly. The whole construction was started in a thousand eight hundred sixty-seven and completed in a thousand eight hundred sixty-nine. At that time, the city needed a dignified and representative residence that corresponded to its growing importance. This building was built as a symbol of stability and expansion. It's not just a random house, but a deliberately created space to serve people and their management for decades.

Now pay attention to the very form of the building that you are currently watching. If you look at her overall face, you'll see that she's in a neo-Renaissance style. This style brings us back to the ideals of beauty, order and harmony. The whole project was prepared by an important person, a Liberec architect and builder Gustav Sachr. His work here left a deep mark. Notice how the building works because of a kind of creation called the Arc Style. This method of construction was strongly influenced by the architecture that was developed in Munich at that time. It's this effect that you can feel in the details and in the overall sound of the building. If you look up and look at the most distinctive element of the outer part, you will probably see the corner prism tower immediately. It dominates the whole area and gives the building its solid, stable and noble appearance. It is this very tower that defines and builds up a sense of dignity from a distance.

However, this building has never served only as a beautiful set for the square. Her history is full of different roles that have been changing over time. It was originally designated as the seat of the city administration, which means that many important things were decided here for the lives of all the people. These premises were also located at the post office and district office. Imagine all the people who have come here in the past to settle their affairs, send letters or deal with official matters. The building was an artery that connected the city to the environment and the world. Later, however, her function changed and the building gained a completely different, calmer character. Since the year one thousand nine hundred thirty-three the library has been serving in these premises. The place where officials used to decide has become a place where people seek knowledge, peace and inspiration. This transformation from the office to a place for culture and learning is one of the most important stories this town hall tells.

There are also various personalities associated with this place, who left their mark. Although you do not have to name every detail, it is good to know that names like Vratislav K. Novák, Jiří Dostál or Jiří Nepasický are closely related to the history of this place. Their presence and involvement in this object helps us to better understand the human dimension of this history. Each building is composed not only of architects, but above all of the people who lived in it, worked or admired it.

It's interesting to watch the old town hall deal with the challenges of time. Although it was built in the nineteenth century, it was not forgotten. In a thousand and nine hundred and fifty-eight, it was officially declared a cultural monument, the highest recognition of its historical and aesthetic value. This means that its protection and preservation are a priority for the city. Over the years, the building had to adapt to modern times. In the year one thousand nine hundred sixty-nine there was extensive reconstruction and modernization of the background so that the building could continue to perform its tasks and serve the people at present without losing its historic spirit.

You may be asking what other secrets this building holds. One of the constant topics for visitors is the constant movement between what was and what is now. How could it be that a place that was once full of official hustle and bustle and mail became a silent haven between library shelves? This transformation is a fascinating example of how society's needs change, but at the same time, certain buildings remain solid points that can accept these changes.

Now that you have seen this building and understood its meaning, I suggest you continue your walk along the Lower Square. The Old Town Hall will still stand here as a guardian of history and a reminder of everything the city of Jablonec nad Nisou has been through. Feel the beauty of the surrounding environment and look at the details every building in this square wants to tell you. Thank you for stopping by and paying attention to this historic monument. We wish you a nice walk through town.