Old Town Hall in Szczecin

The Old Town Hall is a Gothic brick building on Księcia Mściwoja II Street, next to Hay Market (Rynek Sienny). Today it houses the Museum of the History of Szczecin, a branch of the National Museum. The town hall was built in the 15th century, and after wartime destruction it was rebuilt in 1972-1975.

From a wooden house to a Gothic town hall

The town hall was built for the city authorities in the 15th century, on the site of a wooden building from the middle of the 13th century. That older house contained the aldermen's room, a court room, a trading hall and a lock-up in the cellars. In 1570 the Peace Congress, which ended the war between Sweden and Denmark, met in the town hall.

After destruction caused by Brandenburg raids the building was rebuilt in the Baroque style. It served as the town hall until 1879, and then again in 1937-1938, until it was destroyed in the Second World War.

Reconstruction and appearance

The town hall was rebuilt in 1972-1975 for the needs of the National Museum. Among other things the Gothic decoration of the outer walls was recreated, while part of the building kept its Baroque style. The west elevation, with a tall volute gable, has an arcade. The opposite side is closed by an openwork screen of pinnacles of equal height, linked by an entablature. Glazed bricks in green and black emphasise the line of the cornices, arcades and the arches of windows and blind niches.

In the cellars and in two rooms on the upper storeys the original Gothic star vaults have survived. The heritage register describes the style of the building as Gothic and the material as brick.

Museum of the History of Szczecin

The town hall houses the Museum of the History of Szczecin, a branch of the National Museum in Szczecin. The permanent exhibitions are devoted to the history and culture of the city. A restaurant is located in the Gothic cellar. The town hall belongs to the international tourist route the European Route of Brick Gothic.

Nearby

The town hall stands on Hay Market. About 100 metres further on is the Loitz House, and about 200 metres from the town hall rises the Castle of the Pomeranian Dukes.

Practical information

• Address: ulica Księcia Mściwoja II 8, Szczecin, Old Town.
• The building is entered in the heritage register.
• The opening hours of the exhibitions, the visiting rules and tickets are given by the National Museum in Szczecin, so check them before your visit.