Rechtstädtisches Rathaus
The Main City Hall in danzig was together with St. Mary church and the Great Crane one of the city symbols. It appeard often on postcards, stamps and decorated 10 Gulden coins and 1000 Gulden banknotes.
At the beginning it was a residence of authorities for part of the city called Rechtsadt (Main Town) and from the middle of 15th century became residence of authorities for whole city. The exact date of construction works is not known, the first enlargement of small wooden building had place in 1379 to 1382, the second in years 1454 to 1457, next in 1526. On 3rd October 1556 fire destroyed big part of the building. After the fire city hall was rebuilt in renaissance style with new helmet of the tower. In 1561 golden statue of king Sigmunt II August was placed on tower's top.
Many works of art made by famous artists like Izzak van den Block, Hans Vredeman de Vries and Anton Möller decorated City Hall's interiors. The most representative halls: Great Hall of City Council called also as Red Hall (Roter Saal) and Great Hall of Court calledfrom 19th century White Hall (Weißer Saal) were located at 2nd floor. The White Hall renovated in neo-gothic style was decorated by paintings that presented events from city's history.
City Hall on decorative postcards.
) |
) |
) |
Drawing by J. K. Schultz showing the city hall and statute from tower's top and sketch of facade.
) |
) |
Main City Hall.
) |
) |
) |
) |
Portal of City Hall.
) |
) |
) | Measures from City Hall. |
) | Eagle on City Hall. |
Rathaus Diele / Vestibule.
) |
Sommerratsstube (Roter Saal) / Great Hall of Council (Red Hall) with decorated fireplace and paintings on the ceilling.
) |
) |
) |
) |
) |
Sitzungssaal der Stadtverordneten (Weisser Saal) / Great Hall of Court (White Hall) and paintings with historical events.
) |
) |
) |
) |
) |
) |
) |
) |
) |
Winterratsstube / Small Hall of Council (Winter Hall).
) |
Arbeitszimmer der Buergermeister / Mayor's Working Room.
) |
Großer Empfangssaal / Great Audience Hall.
) |
) |
) |
Ticket to city hall.
) |
In 1945 the City Hall was very serious damaged, helmet of the tower and interiors burnt and gun-fire seriously destroyed the walls. The damages was so bad that the decision of breaking down whole building was taken. At least the decision of rebuilding was taken and after 25 years of work the City Hall was given to Historical Museum of Gdansk.
City Hall in 1945.
) |
) |
) |