Town Hall

Almost in the center of Kolomyia stands the town hall building, which was built here in 1877. The building was erected in place of the wooden town hall that burned down in 1965. The new structure is designed in the Neo-Renaissance style. Its floor plan has a U-shape, and the central part is built as a six-story tower. The height of the town hall is 33 m. It is topped by the coat of arms of the city of Kolomyia, and above it is a clock with chimes.

Photo from uk.wikipedia.org

The uniqueness of the town hall lies in its location. It is the only town hall in Ukraine that stands on a street corner. The town hall premises were used for various activities. Not only was the city council located here, but halls were also rented out for shops, workshops and even a casino.

Interesting facts:

• At the highest point of the town hall, corresponding to the sixth floor, there used to be a balcony from which the city fire watch kept lookout.
• During Soviet times, the town hall premises were occupied by a medical school, which only in 1990 gave the premises over to the city council.
• In the Middle Ages, only cities with Magdeburg rights had the right to install clocks on town halls. Kolomyia received this right in 1405.
• In 1880, Franko was tried in the town hall, where he was being held temporarily in a cell in the town hall. The reason for the imprisonment was the writer’s violation of passport regulations.
• The original height of the town hall was 32 m, but after reconstruction the building’s height was increased by almost 1 m.