New City Hall: Ostrava's Modernist Icon

Ostrava's New City Hall, or Nová radnice, stands as a proud symbol of the city's growth and ambition in the early 20th century. Built between 1925 and 1930, the New City Hall replaced the Old City Hall to accommodate the expanding city administration. Designed by architects František Kolář and Jan Rubý, with significant contributions from Karel Kotas and Vladimír Fischer, the building showcases a stylized classical design with modernist influences. The most striking feature is its 85.6-meter tower, the tallest town hall tower in the Czech Republic. Originally planned as a heavy masonry structure, unstable subsoil led to the adoption of a lighter steel frame clad in copper and glass. Visitors can ascend to the 73-meter observation deck for breathtaking views of Ostrava, the Beskydy Mountains, and even as far as Poland on a clear day. The building's facade features sculptures by Václav Mach, representing mining, trade, science, and metallurgy, reflecting Ostrava's key industries. Inside, the New City Hall boasts elegant interiors with marble, mahogany, and rare woods. A unique paternoster lift, one of the last in Ostrava, operates in the south wing and is available for public use during office hours. Prokeš Square, in front of the New City Hall, has been a focal point for the city, hosting various events and even featuring a tank after World War II. Today, it provides access to the city hall and the Komenského sady park located behind the building. The New City Hall was declared a national cultural monument in 2024, cementing its place as one of the Czech Republic's most important historical buildings.