Town Hall in Środa Śląska

Within the block of buildings in the middle of the market square of Środa Śląska hides a Gothic town hall raised in the 15th century — although its oldest element is even older. The construction began with a tower built in the first half of the 14th century, to which the body of the town hall was added in the 15th century. Today a cluster of buildings groups around a small inner courtyard, and the walls house the town authorities and a regional museum.

The tower, the prison and the execution room

The Gothic, quadrilateral tower with clock faces is crowned by a Baroque helmet with a lantern; it owes its present height to the raising of 1798–1799. Inside are five chambers stacked vertically — originally the tower served as a prison and execution room. Even earlier, the building had been remodelled in 1552 and in 1589–1593.

The gable with donkey backs

The most impressive is the southern façade, crowned by a Gothic, triangular, stepped gable decorated with blind crenellations. Above them run niches with triangular blind windows terminated by ogee arches, divided by pilasters. The Late Gothic, moulded gable was uncovered at the beginning of the 20th century. Inside, a representative hall survived with a Gothic three-bay vault and fragments of 17th-century polychromy.

Protection and function

By decision of the conservator of 21 December 1964 the town hall was entered in the register of monuments, and a major renovation took place in 1974–1978. Today it houses the Regional Museum in Środa Śląska as well as the seat of the municipal authorities.