Gdańsk Town Hall, Gdansk

The Main Town Hall of Gdansk is on the Royal Route, on the corner of Long Street and Kaletnicza Street. It is really a building complex of various additions. It is the second highest building of the Old City after Saint Mary's Church. Long Street is closed to all but pedestrian traffic year-round. The Hall is reached by walking.

In 1346 the city of Gdansk replaced Lubeck law with the so-called Kulm law. This change divided government into two parts, the council and the judiciary. Each division required its own hall. Reconstructions occurred in 1382, 1457, 1488, and 1492. There were fires in 1494 and 1556. After the 1556 fire, the hall was rebuilt and enlarged.

The post 1556 rebuild was done by Dutch architects and master-builders Wilhem van den Meer, Dirk Daniels, and Anthonis van Obberghen. A golden statue of King Sigismund II was mounted on top of the tower and a carillon was placed inside.

At present, the Town Hall is home to the Historical Museum of the City of Gdansk. In the summer season one may visit the observation gallery of the tower. There is an admission charge.