Town Hall

In the north-eastern corner of what is now T. G. Masaryk Square, on the site of a former gabled house that housed a smokehouse and the famous ‘U Heroltů’ inn (the headquarters of the patriotic society ‘Měšťanská beseda’), which was built here in 1850 on the site of the original Jesuit residence dating from 1648–1663 (which served until the completion of the temporary, initially wooden, monastery building at Svatá Hora), a stately building housing the savings bank and town hall was erected between 1889 and 1891.
The building plot was acquired between 1887 and 1888, when the aforementioned restaurant owned by Kateřina Heroltová was purchased for 16,060 gold coins, and the adjacent building belonging to Prokop Laimann was bought for 4,650 gold coins. Following the demolition of these buildings, work commenced on the construction of the new building in accordance with the project documentation drawn up by a truly renowned figure.

The task was undertaken by the eminent Prague architect Vojtěch Ignác Ullmann (1822–1897), as attested by the commemorative plaque in the building’s entrance hall. Another renowned architect, Bedřich Münzberger (1846–1928), worked as part of his team.
The choice of Ullmann’s studio was by no means coincidental, as this practice was renowned for its outstanding work in the Neo-Renaissance architectural style, which was in vogue in the country at the time, as evidenced by the projects it completed, particularly within Prague – for example, the headquarters of Česká spořitelna on Národní třída, the Provisional Theatre building, the Lažanský Palace, the buildings of the Higher Girls’ School on Vodičkova Street and the Czech Technical University on Karlovo náměstí, as well as other projects in the Czech capital and elsewhere.
The Municipal Savings Bank, managed by Josef Štekra, and Mayor Karel Hail, who headed the town of Příbram, wished to create a dignified counterpart on the main square to the opulent Empire-style building of the Mining Directorate, situated in the immediate vicinity of the planned savings bank and town hall. Ullmann and Münzberger sought to demonstrate that the Neo-Renaissance style was particularly well-suited to buildings serving as landmarks on significant streets and squares.

The priority of their design was to create a stately building with a richly detailed façade, whilst ensuring the practical use of the interior spaces. And it is precisely these attributes that are embodied in the two-storey town hall and savings bank building, constructed at a cost of 65,295 gold coins and 25 kreutzers by the firm of the leading Příbram builder Antonín Bastl (1838–1901).
Bastl carried out a number of significant construction projects in Příbram and the surrounding area, including, for example, the grammar school building (now the Secondary School of Healthcare and the Higher Vocational School of Healthcare in Příbram), the teacher training college (now the Business Academy and Higher Vocational School in Příbram), girls’ and boys’ schools, the district general hospital (predominantly healthcare facilities), an orphanage (now the General Health Insurance Company, Příbram branch), cemetery chapels, and the churches of St Prokop and St Adalbert in Březohory. He was involved in the renovation of St James’s Church and the Svatohorský complex, and built a number of private residential houses, amongst other projects.

On the building that now houses the town hall, one can admire the finely executed stucco work, the elaborate balustrades and cornices, the imaginative window surrounds, the gable bearing the town’s coat of arms, and other features, including chronograms with Roman numerals indicating the year of construction and the like. Inside, emphasis was placed on the striking entrance hall and staircase – also adorned with the town’s symbols – and on the functionally designed administrative offices. In 1891, the savings bank was the first to move into the new building, whilst the town hall also found premises here on the ground floor and the second floor.

The town hall had been based since 1869 in the neighbouring building, the so-called ‘old town hall and savings bank’. This building is still used today by the Příbram Municipal Authority. Among the historic architectural features, the stone jambs of the entrance to the courtyard from Tyršova Street and the main entrance—also featuring stone jambs and an interesting wooden door adorned with metal fittings—which opens onto T. G. Masaryk Square, immediately catch the eye.

By carrying out this project, Karel Hail – arguably the most significant mayor in the history of Příbram – crowned his meritorious work for the benefit of the town. The director of the savings bank, Josef Štekr, also played a no less important role. Between 1921 and 1922, a large-scale extension was built on the southern side of the building to house a new section of the building society, with the aim of accommodating growing business volumes and providing appropriate services to the public. The expansion of the administrative offices within Příbram Town Hall also played a part.

In 1932, the corner of the town hall was adorned by the academic sculptor Václav Šára (1893–1951) with a sandstone coat of arms of the town of Příbram, framed by figures of miners. The artwork was commissioned by the Příbram Industrial Works. The artistic design was created by the academic painter Karel Hojden (1893–1975).