Town Hall in Rokytnice nad Jizerou

The town hall in Rokytnice nad Jizerou is an Art Nouveau building from the early 20th century, standing on the Lower Square (Dolní náměstí) in this mountain town in the Krkonoše (Giant Mountains), in the Semily district of the Liberec region. A tower rising more than 37 metres above the structure dominates the surrounding skyline, making the building the most recognisable landmark in town.

When was the town hall built?

At the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries, Rokytnice was going through a period of economic growth driven by expanding local industry. The town's leadership decided to erect a new, representative seat of administration that would reflect the community's rising prosperity and status. The foundation stone was laid on 12 April 1902, and by that same autumn the roof had already been fitted onto the tower. Work continued through 1903, including regulating and covering over the Huťský stream that ran through the site, and the building was formally opened on 27 September 1903. Total construction costs reached 159,701 Austrian crowns.

Who designed the building?

The plans were drawn up by the Vrchlabí-based partnership of architects Kleofáš Hollmann and Viktor Kraus, while the construction itself was carried out by a local firm run by Josef Hájek of Rokytnice. Their combined work produced a richly detailed Art Nouveau structure that blended representative and practical functions — an architectural style typical of the German-speaking parts of Bohemia in the early 1900s.

What was housed inside?

Besides administrative offices, the building also contained residential apartments, a savings bank with an attached flat for one of its employees, and the municipal library. Three prison cells were built into the cellar. Later on, the public security service also had its offices here. The tower itself is topped with a slate roof: a bell-shaped roof covers the larger dormer, while the smaller one is capped with a spire.

Can visitors go up the tower?

Yes. Since 2018 a viewing balcony at the top of the tower has been open to the public, offering views over the town and the surrounding Krkonoše ridgelines. It is one of relatively few attractions in the region that combine a historic building with a functioning lookout point.

Has the building been renovated?

The town hall has gone through several rounds of modernisation. In 1971 the ceremonial hall was refurbished, and a new chandelier made at the Harrachov glassworks by local craftsman V. Jirouš was installed there. Two years later, in 1973, a broader reconstruction began, during which the roof covering was replaced, the plasterwork was repaired, and the building received new electrical wiring. Despite these interventions, the building has retained its original historic character and continues to serve as the seat of the local municipal administration today.

Frequently asked questions

Where does the town hall in Rokytnice nad Jizerou stand? On the Lower Square (Dolní náměstí), in the centre of the town, in the Semily district of the Liberec region.

How tall is the town hall tower? It rises to about 37 metres and is visible from many points around the town.

When was the town hall built? Construction began in 1902 and it was officially opened on 27 September 1903.

Can you go up the tower? Yes, a public viewing balcony has been open on the tower since 2018.