New City Hall, Administrative building in Old Town, Czech Republic
New City Hall is an Art Nouveau administrative building on Mariánské Square in Prague's Old Town, facing the Clementinum complex. Its facade is covered with sculptures and reliefs, and the interior houses the main offices of Prague's municipal government.
The building was designed by architect Osvald Polívka following a competition held in 1904 and was completed in 1911. It first served as a tax and finance office before becoming the seat of Prague's city government after 1945.
On the main staircase hangs a memorial plaque to Milada Horáková, a Prague politician who opposed both the Nazis and the communists and was executed after a show trial in 1952; the sculptor was Jaroslava Lukešová. The first-floor hall, once a glazed courtyard, now serves as the assembly hall for Prague's councillors.
The main entrance is on Mariánská Street, and since this is an active government building, public access is limited to certain areas. It is worth checking in advance which parts of the building are open before planning a visit.
Two paternoster lifts by John Prokopec, each with twelve two-person carriages and safety features allowing higher speeds, once served the building. Since the 1970s only one remains, covering four floors with thirteen carriages.
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