Town hall in Banská Štiavnica

Lore & Background

The town hall in Banská Štiavnica originated in the 14th century as a Gothic ground-floor house called 'Stuba Praetoriana' or 'Stuba Judicis'. Between 1507 and 1679 it underwent Renaissance modifications and extensions. A Chapel of St. Anna was attached to the building but was demolished in the 18th century, replaced by a sculpture of the Virgin Mary. The current Baroque appearance was given by Štiavnica's master mason, Pircker, in 1787–88. A town prison was situated in the basement, and the beginning of a market was announced from the tower.

Reader's Guide

The town hall in Banská Štiavnica is significant as a civic and historical landmark. On 22 October 1704, a peace treaty was signed in its council chamber between Prince Francis II Rákóczi of Transylvania and representatives of Emperor Leopold I, with envoys from England and the Netherlands also participating. The building is associated with two of Štiavnica's seven 'legendary wonders': the tower clocks have swapped hands (the big hand shows hours, the small one minutes), and the entrance is on the back rather than the front—a design said to allow council members to leave meetings unnoticed for nearby taverns. The town hall's UNESCO World Heritage status is marked by a flag and a memorial tablet placed on December 9, 1993, recognizing the cultural value of Banská Štiavnica and its surroundings.

Did You Know?

• The town hall originally existed in the 14th century as a Gothic house called 'Stuba Praetoriana' or 'Stuba Judicis'.
• A peace treaty between Prince Francis II Rákóczi and Emperor Leopold I was signed in the council chamber on 22 October 1704.
• The tower clocks have swapped hands: the big hand shows hours and the small one shows minutes.
• The entrance is on the back of the building, not the front, reportedly so council members could leave meetings unnoticed.