stará radnice v Havlíčkově Brodě Town hall

Audio Guide - Old Town Hall in Havlíčkov Broda

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Welcome to this massive and historically rich building that will welcome you from Havlicka Square with its ancient charm. You're standing in front of the old town hall, the dominant city that turned into a stone witness over the centuries. In front of you is a corner building that connects the past to today. Let's take a look together at her secrets and the stories she hides inside her.

Originally, this building was built as a late Gothic complex in the late 15th century. It was created by joining three houses, the oldest of which is the western part - probably from around 1300. It could have been the original headquarters of the express, or the stone residence of the local Lichtenburg masters. The then Havlíčkův Brod was a small town, but even then there was a solid stone building that became the basis of what you see today.

But the Great Fire in 1662 destroyed the original Gothic City Hall. The fire on May 25th that year left nothing but ashes and debris. However, the town did not want to give up its monument, so the building was rebuilt into a late Renaissance style in the years following. The new form was completed in 1668, as it resembles the inscription in the facade. Although the style has changed, some of the Gothic elements have been preserved - and these are the ones that give this building its unique atmosphere.

Now pay attention to the facade. Feel its power and symmetry, which is typical of Renaissance architecture. In front of you is the corner part of the building that was in the past the center of urban life. The town hall lived here until 1850, when its function changed to a new building. It then became the seat of the district court, and only in 2012 began its long general reconstruction, which lasted until 2016.

Look up and observe the facade details. Although there are no statues or paintings that interest you immediately, there is a sense of work by many generations of architects and craftsmen. Every stone, every detail has a story. Note how the Renaissance elements are projected into the stone face of the building - pilasters, mansions, symmetric arrangement of windows. These elements are like traces of past generations' hands trying to preserve the memory of the city.

One of the most interesting aspects of this town hall is its original function. The western part, which is the oldest, may have originally been the seat of the fast - that is, the local administration that took care of the city's management. Or even the stone residence of the local Lichtenburg masters who controlled this area. These assumptions remind us that Havlíčkův Brod already in the 13th century had not only wooden houses but also stone buildings that prove its significance.

Another interesting thing is that this town hall was destroyed for the first time by a fire. That's rare, because most historic buildings only survived through repeated repairs. The fire from 1662 was so powerful that it destroyed the original Gothic City Hall, and the city had to start from the beginning. Although the style has changed, her function has been preserved as a symbol of the city. Today, it is a monument that reminds us of how strong the communities at that time were, trying to preserve their heritage.

Now let's take a look at what happened at City Hall after it was rebuilt. After 1850 she became the seat of the district court, which meant another chapter in her life. The court was based here until the reconstruction started in 2012. It lasted four years and returned the city hall to its original glory. Today it is a place that reminds us of how the functions of buildings change, but how their historical significance is maintained.

One of the most interesting things in this town hall is her ability to connect different epochs. Here you will find traces of Gothic, Renaissance and later modifications. This is like a time capsule that allows you to feel the history of the city. Every stone, every detail is like a page of a book that tells the story of Havlicka Brod.

If you want to get to know this place in more detail, I suggest you look around Havlíček Square. Here you will find other historical buildings and monuments that will help you better understand the soul of this city. The old town hall is like the key to his past, and now that you see it in front of you, you have a chance to meet it.

Thank you for taking a moment to stop by this monument. The old town hall is not only a dominant town, but also a witness to its development. Whether you stand here for just a moment or stop here in more detail, you will surely take the feeling that you have encountered a part of history that is extremely important to Havlíčkův Brod. When you look at other sights, you will feel that you have already become familiar with this beautiful city. Good trip!