Rectorate Building of the Pomeranian Medical University (former New Town Hall)

The building at Rybacka 1 in Szczecin was built in 1900-1902 as the seat of the municipal administration and is listed in the heritage register as the New Town Hall. Since 1948 it has served a medical university, and today it houses the rectorate of the Pomeranian Medical University. It should not be confused with the Red Town Hall at Batory Square, which was built in 1875-1879.

The building of 1902

The brick Neo-Renaissance building was designed by Wilhelm Meyer-Schwartau. It is a three-winged building of irregular shape, with a tall tower on the south side. The main entrance faced the former Magazinstraße, today Rybacka. The city set up here, among other things, the Municipal Savings Bank, a registry office, a commercial court and the offices of the municipal police. The building survived the bombing of the Second World War, and in March 1948 a Medical Academy was opened in it, from 1949 the Pomeranian Medical Academy. The institution has borne its present name, Pomeranian Medical University, since 2010.

What stood here before

The plot lies on a hill called Psia Góra, on which in 1302 the Cistercians from Kołbacz built their court within the town walls. Later the Ducal Chancellery stood here, and in 1726-1728 the Prussians erected, to a design by Gerhard Cornelius van Wallrawe, a provisions store, demolished after 1899, when the site was taken over by the city. Not far away stand the Ducal Castle and the Port Gate.

Practical information

• Address: Rybacka 1, Szczecin.
• The building is an active university, so it is easiest to view its elevations and tower from the street.
• Heritage register entry: no. 1128 of 21 June 1990.