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.
A memorial plaque for Milada Horáková, a Czech lawyer executed in 1950, is placed on the main staircase inside the building. The assembly hall is lit by chandeliers designed by Prague craftsman Franta Anýž, whose work can still be seen in several city buildings.
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.
The building still runs paternoster lifts, a type of open-cabin elevator that moves in a continuous loop without stopping, designed by John Prokopec. This kind of lift has become rare in Europe, as many countries have restricted or banned them for safety reasons.
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