Building erected in 1905 in the Neo-Renaissance style in Legnica, Poland
Legnica City Hall
Legnica City Hall, erected in 1905 in the Neo-Renaissance style, is currently the seat of the city authorities of Legnica, Poland.
History
As a result of the development of the city at the end of the 19th century, a need to build a new, larger town hall arose.[1] The new seat of Legnica's municipal authorities was erected in 1902-1905 according to the design of the construction counselor Paul Öhlmann.[2] The building is the result of the first part of the project, which ultimately included the construction of a four-wing complex with two inner courtyards and a monumental tower.[3] The project, probably due to lack of funds, was never completed.[3]
By the decision of the provincial conservator the building was entered in the register of monuments on April 14, 1981.[4]
Architecture
The new town hall is a grand neo-Renaissance building erected on the plan of the letter L.[2] It has five storeys, two external risalits and is covered with gable roofs with dormer windows.[2] There is a flèche on the ridge, and the roofs are covered with richly decorated neo-Renaissance gables.[2] The flèche is topped with a helmet with two openings.[1] The elevations are richly decorated with architectural details such as: bays, bossage and window frames.[1] The sculptural details decorating the northern bay window refer to the city's past.[3] The pillars of the loggia are decorated with knights with the coats of arms of Silesia, Legnica and Prussia. A cartouche with the town's coat of arms, consisting of two crossed keys, appears at the top of the pediment.[3] Above it, a statue of a Czech lion was placed - the coat of arms of Legnica. The two and a half-tiered interiors have communication corridors and are covered with barrel vaults with lunettes.[2] This building is the seat of the city authorities.[1]