St. Pölten town hall
Historical sites
Description
The landmark of Lower Austria's provincial capital is located right in the heart of St. Pölten's baroque old town. Together with the Franciscan Church opposite and the Lower Austrian State Theater, among others, the listed St. Pölten Town Hall lines the Town Hall Square with the Holy Trinity Column.
It was first mentioned in documents as a town hall in 1503, when the eastern half of the current building was purchased. Around 60 years later, the western part of the building was also acquired. Over the centuries, the historic premises have housed the town scales and salt office, library and museum as well as the fire station and prison.
Today, the town hall is the seat of the mayor, city senate and municipal council. It also houses the city's media and cultural services as well as other parts of the magistrate's office.
Building styles of St. Pölten Town Hall: from Baroque to Renaissance and Gothic
Today's St. Pölten Town Hall was given its Baroque appearance around 1727, when the Tyrolean Baroque master builder Joseph Munggenast was responsible for the redesign of the façade - with Renaissance portal and coat of arms stones - and Renaissance tower.
Other recognizable building styles and architectural highlights in St. Pölten Town Hall:
- Late Romanesque cross-ribbed vaulting,
- Gothic seat niches,
- Renaissance inscriptions,
- Baroque imperial stucco ceiling from 1722 in today's mayor's room - with medallion portraits of the Roman-German emperors,
- Sgraffiti (special wall decoration technique) from the 14th century on the west façade.
The octagonal tower was completed at the end of the 16th century. Among other things, it had long served as a grain store and storehouse. Today it houses the Advent windows, which are illuminated one after the other by schools and kindergartens as part of the annual St. Pölten Christmas Market.
Experience the town hall: Guided tours and visits
You don't have to be an important official to visit St. Pölten Town Hall: It can also be visited as part of historical city tours. Selected events - such as exhibitions or presentations - also take place here throughout the year.
