In 2017, the comprehensive restoration of the Old Town Hall in Havlíčkův Brod was finished, consisting of difficult building reconstruction as well as restoration of the stucco decorations and stone renaissance crests of arms. It’s one of the most important realizations in the past year in the Vysočina Region, involving the important discovery of Mannerist sun motif in the dominating façade.
Hlavní průčelí Staré radnice po celkové obnově
The late renaissance building of the Old Town Hall is one of the worthiest heritage sites in Havlíčkův Brod. The original set of houses was rebuilt to a magistrate office in the late 15th century, and there were major reconstructions after the fires in 1662 and 1834. In the 1980s the spatial arrangement changed substantially; the changes didn’t respect the historical nature of the building, and had negative impact on the structure. These changes included the building of a new staircase, walling of the original passage from the square to the internal yard, or making access to the winding stairs from the ground floor room in the northwest.
The general reconstruction of the house started in 2012 by the renovation of the original brewery cellars, then used as a restaurant. In 2016, the difficult stage was completed, involving the rehabilitation of the interior and restoration of the stucco decorations in the main hall on the upper floor, mural paintings, and other preserved elements. The original passage was restored in the ground floor. The unsuitable Bulgarian marble on the floor of the entrance hall was replaced by cobblestones made of the local Lipnice granite; on the upper floor in the main hall, oak floors were laid. In the Small Room, the surveys discovered decoration paintings, probably from the 19th century, restored in full in the classicist style. The area was also sensitively enhanced by modern furniture, and top-quality contemporary chandeliers that complement the premises harmonically. The neglected yard was also renovated. The area was closed again, and fitted with lawns, trees, a fountain and benches.
The final stage of reconstruction was conducted in 2017, involving the main façade, including the restoration of historic crests of arms, and the fragment of of Mannerist sun motif in the façade. Also the demanding renovation of the damaged truss was conducted, which alone has extraordinary historic value. The renovation was symbolically completed by the replacement of unsuitable aluminum roofing, installed in the insensitive reconstruction in the 1980s.
The Old Town Hall is therefore again the integral part of Havlíčkovo square, one of the worthiest heritage sites in Havlíčkův Brod. All renovations fully respect the fact that they involve dominating historic architecture with direct link to the heritage site of Havlíčkův Brod. The actions were sensitive, with maximum fixing of existing historic structures. By removing the unsuitable adjustments from the second half of the 20th century, the original design can be presented again, including the passage on the ground floor.
Nominated for the Vysočina Region by the regional center of the National Heritage Institute in Telč.
The town of Havlíčkův Brod, owner and investor, was nominated for the National Heritage Institute Prize, category: Rescue of a Heritage Site, Restoration.
