The Old Town Hall is located in the heart of the old town on the Main Square and is an integral part of Bratislava's cultural and architectural heritage.
The history of the Old Town Hall dates back to the 14th century. Originally, the town hall was a Gothic building consisting of several town houses. The oldest part of the complex is the house that belonged to Mayor Jakub, built in 1370. Over time, the complex grew and other parts were added to the original building, including the Pavlík Tower, the House of the Hungarian Royal Chamber and the Apponyi Palace.
Over the centuries, the town hall has been rebuilt and expanded several times, showing various architectural styles including Gothic, Renaissance, Baroque and Neo-Gothic. In the 15th century, the city tower was incorporated into the building, which still dominates the silhouette of the town hall.
The Pavlík tower, which is the most prominent part of the town hall, is decorated with Renaissance elements and on its top there is a viewing terrace from which there is a wonderful view of the old town. There is also a plaque on the front of the tower commemorating the great fire of 1733, when the clock on the tower was melted.
Today, the premises of the Old Town Hall house the Museum of the City of Bratislava, which is the oldest city museum in Slovakia, founded in 1868. The museum offers exhibits that document the history of Bratislava from prehistoric times to modern times. Visitors can view various artifacts, documents, historical weapons, guild objects and other exhibits related to the history of the city.
One of the most interesting exhibits is a fragment of a Gothic vault and medieval torture instruments, which remind the function of the town hall as a place of administration of justice.
The Old Town Hall has served various purposes throughout its history, including the seat of the City Court, the City Council, and a place for market activities. It was also the center of Bratislava's social and political life, where important events took place, including coronation ceremonies and meetings of city officials.
The building is also a popular venue for weddings, mainly due to its historic and romantic character.