Town Hall
In medieval towns, as now, the town hall functioned as the centre of local government. The first Town Hall was located within the settlement near the parish church, but its precise location remains unknown. Prince Casimir’s donation enabled the townspeople to establish a new town hall which was the seat of local government as well as the shoemakers’ and bakers’ guilds. It most probably also housed the town’s court, the weighhouse and a storehouse for valuable goods. A whipping-post stood in front of the Town Hall. The building was most probably wooden but had a tower with a clock which was looked after by the town’s clockwinder. It also functioned as a watchtower in order to spot fires in the town and the surroundings, which nonetheless was of minimal help. In 1552 a huge fire destroyed a considerable part of Cieszyn including the Town Hall. It was rebuilt, this time in brick, with arcades in front and a wooden tower. It is depicted on prints dating from 1637 and 1650. The renowned Silesian chronicler, Jacob Schickfus, described the Town Hall as “a splendid edifice, artfully built, not in the middle of the Market Square, as is customary, but located in a corner, wedged in by the Dominican monastery.” It was occasionally visited by the Prince, particularly after the appointment of new authorities or when accounts had been settled. It suffered much damage during the Thirty Years’ War – as did the whole town – and was not renovated until 1661. The entrance hall with groin vaulting supported on a column is a relic of the original building. In later years an armoury was established in the Town Hall, where a portrait of Prince Frederick William was hung. (Visits to the Council Chambers and the exhibition “The History of the Town Hall” are only possible with a guide)
On the corner of the Market Square and ul. Szersznika are the so-called “princely houses” which served as the last residence of the Cieszyn Princess, Elizabeth Lucretia.