Poland 5 Złotych Poznan Town Hall 2015

5 Złotych Poznan Town Hall

Discover Poland Series

Nominal Value	Metal	Weight	Diameter	Mintage            Year
5 Zlotych	Bi-Metallic	6,54 g	24 mm	1 200 000         2015

The Poznań Town Hall is the greatest Renaissance building in the Wielkopolska region and one of the most beautiful buildings in the whole of Poland. The oldest mentionof the building dates to 1310. It was probably erected just a little earlier, at the turn of the13th century. In the mid-16 century, most of the old building was destroyed in a great fire. The city commissioned the Italian architect Giovanni Battista di Quadro from Lugano, who rebuilt the modest Gothic building into the magnificent, stately seat of the municipal authorities that we admire to this day. From a bird’s-eye view of Poznań we can clearly see that the building of the town hall sits at a slight angle relative to the frontage of he market square buildings. It is believed that this was made on purpose. As a result, when

we enter the Old Market from Wielka Street, previously one of the most important arteries in the city, we get the impression that the town hall is even bigger than in reality. However, even without this architectural trick,

there is a lot to admire. The three-storey loggia is richly decorated with reliefs depicting the virtues of town councilors: patience, prudence, love, righteousness, faith, hope, courage and moderation. It also carries images of Polish kings and ancient characters. The facades are embellished with numerous Latin inscriptions.

The building’s tower is topped with a large crowned white eagle, the symbol of Polish statehood.

Between the loggia and the tower there are
three smaller towers forming an attic. Their
shape resembles a defensive wall - a theme
known from the coats of arms of many cities

The central tower has a clock, over which two
mechanical goats are butting heads every day at
noon, which is one of Poznań’s best-known tourist
attractions.
Currently the interiors of the town hall serve as
the seat of the Museum of History of the City of
Poznań (a branch of the National Museum). Its
collection includes approx. 12 thousand items
documenting over 750 years of the city’s history.
The most representative room of the City Hall is
the Great Hall - still used for the most important
events in the life of Poznań.

source: NBP.PL/ Own