Main Town Hall | Gdansk

Located at the intersection of Długa and Długi Targ streets on the Royal Route, the Main Town Hall (Polish: Ratusz Głównego Miasta) is one of Gdańsk's most significant secular buildings.

Historical Context and Architecture

Origin: Construction began in the mid-14th century (c. 1346–1379) and continued through the 15th century.

Style: A Gothic-Renaissance structure, it was meticulously reconstructed by 1970 after being nearly destroyed in 1945 during WWII.

The Tower: Reaches 83.45 meters. It is topped with a gilded statue of King Sigismund II Augustus and houses a carillon of 37 bells.

The Red Room: Also known as the Great Council Hall, this interior is a prime example of Dutch Mannerism, featuring 25 symbolic ceiling paintings by Izaak van den Blocke, including the famous Apotheosis of Gdańsk.

Visitor Information

Museum of Gdańsk: The building serves as the seat of the city's history museum.

Operating Hours: * Monday, Wednesday, Friday–Sunday: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM

Thursday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM

Tuesday: Closed

Observation Deck: The tower offers panoramic views of the Old Town and the Motława River. It is typically open during the tourist season (April to September); a separate entrance fee applies (approx. 20 zł).

Accessibility: Most exhibition halls are reachable via an elevator (advance notice of 2–3 days required for staff assistance). The observation tower is not wheelchair accessible due to steep, narrow stairs.

Nearby Landmarks

Neptune's Fountain: Directly adjacent in Długi Targ.

Artus Court: Former meeting place of merchants, located next to the fountain.

St. Mary's Basilica: One of the world's largest brick churches, a short walk away.

The Crane (Żuraw): Situated on the nearby Motława riverfront.

Navigation

Pedestrian Zone: Długa Street is pedestrianized; cars cannot reach the entrance directly.

Public Transit: Accessible via Gdańsk Główny station, followed by a 15-minute walk or a short bus/tram ride to stops like Żabi Kruk or Targ Chlebowy.