Town hall in Opava, Renaissance town hall in Město, Czech Republic

The Town Hall of Opava is a Renaissance building with a striking white tower called Hláska, built between 1614 and 1618 that dominates the skyline of the square. The structure occupies a prominent position on Horní náměstí and continues to serve as the city's administrative center today.

A wooden tower with merchants' chambers stood here by 1327, also housing the town scales, bakery stalls from 1582, and the council and court on the first floor. A storm destroyed it in the third quarter of the 16th century. The Opava builder Kryštof Prochhuber erected the present stone tower in 1614–1618, rebuilt by Rudolf Srnetz in 1902–1903.

The tower's name Hláska comes from its role as a watchtower from which fires, the start of markets and ceremonial gatherings were announced. From 1763 to 1805 a theatre performed on the first floor, and since 1945 the city administration has sat here, with a café beside it.

The town hall is located on Horní náměstí and can be easily reached on foot from the city center. The building is visible from the outside at any time, and public areas are accessible during regular business hours.

The tower's name Hláska comes from the Czech word for a watchtower or lookout post, not from any bell. From the tower, fires, the opening of markets and ceremonial gatherings were announced. The three bells hang in an open lantern above the three-tiered dome.