New Town Hall in Poznan

The New Town Hall is a three-story administrative building on Market Square combining Gothic and Renaissance elements, with a facade decorated with medallions and small turrets. Today it functions as a museum displaying paintings, sculptures, and artifacts documenting the city's artistic and architectural heritage across different periods.

Construction took place between 1861 and 1873 under architect Heinrich Grüder's design, built to handle Poznan's expanding administrative needs. This period marked the city's shift from medieval to modern urban development.

The building reflects Poznan's transformation into a modern 19th-century city, showing how citizens displayed their growing power and wealth through architecture. The interior spaces tell stories about daily life and urban ambitions through their decoration and collections.

The museum is easily located on Market Square and interior stairs are generally accessible, though some areas feature steeper steps. A visit to the observation platform in the tower provides good orientation for exploring the square and surrounding old town.

Few visitors notice the ornate gilding on many decorative facade elements, which shines brilliantly in afternoon light. This gilded ornamentation was a symbol of the city's wealth and confidence during its rapid modernization.