Town hall in Pardubice

The Pardubice Town Hall is a striking Neo-Renaissance building standing on Pernštejnské náměstí, the main square of the old town, and it still functions today as the seat of the local municipal authorities. With its symmetrical façade, twin towers and elaborate sgraffito decoration, it ranks among the most recognisable landmarks in Pardubice.

How did the town hall get its current appearance?

An earlier seat of the town council, built after the great city fire of 1538, had a Renaissance form, but it did not survive the following centuries unscathed. Swedish troops destroyed it in 1645, and the building that replaced it was considerably more modest, serving the town in that reduced form until the mid-18th century. Real change only came at the end of the 19th century, when Pardubice began developing rapidly as an industrial centre. The small existing town hall could no longer accommodate the growing municipal administration, so the authorities decided to demolish several neighbouring houses on the square and erect an entirely new, much larger building in their place. It was constructed between 1892 and 1894, designed by the Prague architect Jan Vejrych.

What stands out in the building's architecture?

The new town hall was designed in the Neo-Renaissance style, with a clear emphasis on symmetry and a representative façade. The most eye-catching feature is the pair of towers flanking the building; between them sits the central section of the façade, set off by projecting bays and crowned with a gable. Atop the gable stands a knight figure, modelled on the tomb of Vojtěch of Pernštejn, who is buried in the nearby Church of St Bartholomew — a direct reference to the Pernštejn family, whose influence shaped the town's fortunes for centuries. The side wings of the town hall, adjoining the neighbouring houses on the square, are decorated with sgraffito based on designs by Mikoláš Aleš, one of the leading Czech painters of the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries. The decoration is completed by medallions bearing portraits of Czech rulers, underscoring the town's historical aspirations and its ties to national tradition.

Where exactly does it stand, and can visitors go inside?

The building occupies a prominent spot on Pernštejnské náměstí, the main square of Pardubice's historic centre. Since 1964 this whole area has held the status of an Urban Heritage Reserve, meaning the surrounding architecture — town houses, the Church of St Bartholomew, and the Renaissance castle — forms a coherent ensemble well worth exploring on foot. The town hall still serves an administrative function as the seat of the municipal government, so its interior is primarily office space rather than a museum. Visitors mostly admire it from the outside, taking in the façade and sculptural details while strolling across the square.

Frequently asked questions

When was the current Pardubice Town Hall built? The present building dates from 1892–1894, replacing an earlier, more modest structure that dated back to the period after the 1538 fire.

Who designed the town hall? The design came from Prague architect Jan Vejrych, who gave the building its Neo-Renaissance form.

What does the sculpture on top of the building depict? It is a knight figure, modelled on the tomb of Vojtěch of Pernštejn in the nearby Church of St Bartholomew.

Can visitors go inside the town hall? The building functions as the seat of the municipal authorities, so its interior is mainly administrative space — sightseeing is mostly limited to the façade and the square outside.

Where exactly is it located? On Pernštejnské náměstí, the main square of Pardubice's historic centre, part of an Urban Heritage Reserve since 1964.