Gallery

 

Architecture of the Rathaus (conclusion):
(Continued from Page 3)

The colorful sun dial was added to the southeast corner in 1588. In the year 1608, the year that the Great Arsenal was completed and the loft space of the Rathaus Gothic Wing was no longer required for storage of war materiel, a study was made to improve the proportions of the south facade. This resulted in a new portal at the main entrance, the design that we see today.

Next time you visit the Rathaus, look for these Polish symbols:
King Zygmunt August on the pinnacle, royal eagles on the four corners of the observation platform, the fourteen Polish eagles on the bells of the Glockenspiel, the Polish eagle on the east facade gable, four paintings of Polish kings on the east facade, and the Polish eagle over the main portal on the Langgasse.

The next major renovation took place in 1823-1824, with the entire facing being rebuilt. The south side window axis of the first and second floors were rearranged for a more uniform appearance. (I11.D)

Since the Soviet bombardment of Danzig in 1945 did considerable damage to the Rathaus, dedicated artisans have been involved in restoring the structure to its pre—war magnificence. The interior presents many beautiful rooms and passa9es, each with a different pattern of parquet flooring. Much credit for this goes to Prof. Erich Volmar and his team of conservators.

If you visit the Rathaus, enter the lower door to the left of the main portal to purchase tickets. Then climb the steps to the main entrance, push the ancient door handle as the heavy black timbers swing back, and experience history first hand! A couple of cautions:
they aren’t open on Fridays; the observation tower was closed this year, don’t use flash bulbs in the rooms There are, however, many cards, books and even tapes of the . Oliva organ for sale on one of the upper floors. This building, alone, is worth the trip to Gdansk’

References:
Gdansk — Rathaus des Rechtstadt, -
Tadeusz Domagala, 1981
History of Gdansk,
Edmund Cieslak, 1988
Sketch on Cover by Anna Biernat,
from Sladami Gdanskich
Zabytkow, Hanna Domanska, 1987

Photo: Corner of Rathaus, 1991