Olomouc Town Hall

Olomouc Town Hall stands on the Upper Square in the heart of this Moravian city and remains one of the few Czech town halls still serving its original administrative purpose — the local council still meets here, centuries after the building was first raised.

How old is the building?

Construction began in the 14th century, and the town hall was substantially extended through the 15th century, gaining the rectangular layout with an internal courtyard and tall tower that still defines it today. The facade visitors see now is not medieval, though: its neo-Gothic appearance dates from a renovation carried out between 1902 and 1904.

What can you see from the tower?

The town hall tower rises to roughly 75 metres and is one of the most recognisable elements of the Olomouc skyline. From its viewing platform, visitors get a wide view over the Upper Square, the rooftops of the old town, and the surrounding Moravian countryside — making it one of the most popular vantage points in the city.

Why does the astronomical clock draw so much attention?

The building's best-known feature is the astronomical clock set into a pointed-arch niche on its north facade, 14 metres tall. The niche itself was built in 1474, and the first written record of a functioning clock dates back to 1519. Over the centuries it displayed not only the time but the seasons, accompanied by moving figures with religious and secular themes and by chimes.

The clock's current appearance, however, comes from a reconstruction after damage suffered during the Second World War. Rebuilt between 1947 and 1955 by artist Karel Svolinský, it was given an entirely new, socialist-realist design: instead of medieval religious imagery, the figures now depict workers and farmers, in keeping with the official art of the era. That makes the Olomouc clock unusual among Europe's astronomical clocks — one of the few whose present decoration reflects communist-era propaganda rather than medieval symbolism.

The mosaic decoration includes medallions on either side of the niche representing scenes tied to each month of the year, along with a calendar marking dates the regime of the time considered historically significant.

What's worth seeing inside?

The interior preserves several notable features. Chief among them is the Gothic Assembly Hall, with an ornate vaulted ceiling, still used for representative and administrative functions. Next to it is the Chapel of St. Jerome, which holds seven valuable paintings — a relatively complete painting collection for a public building in the region.

Frequently asked questions

Can visitors go inside the town hall? Yes — the interior, including the Gothic Assembly Hall and the Chapel of St. Jerome, is open to visitors, even though the building still functions as the seat of the city administration.

Why does the astronomical clock look different from the one in Prague? Because its current design dates from a post-war reconstruction carried out between 1947 and 1955 in a socialist-realist style, rather than from medieval times — so instead of traditional religious figures it shows scenes of labour reflecting the propaganda of that period.

Can you climb the town hall tower? Yes, the roughly 75-metre tower has a viewing point offering panoramic views over Olomouc's Upper Square and old town.

When was the town hall built? The first part of the building dates from the 14th century, with major extensions added in the 15th century; the neo-Gothic facade seen today was added only in 1902–1904.