City Hall, Ivano-Frankivsk

The Town Hallin Ivano-Frankivsk is an ancient symbol of the city, one of only three town halls in Ukraine built in the constructivist style. Today's elegant building has changed its appearance many times over the course of more than 400 years. The very first Town Hall was a round wooden nine-story tower in the Renaissance style, although it performed the same functions as the modern building.

The very first town hall made of wood appeared in the city in 1666, on the initiative of the city's founder Andrzej Potocki. Soon after, in 1672, it was rebuilt and became a wooden and stone building. Due to several reasons, namely low reliability, durability, and Potocki's dissatisfaction with the architecture, the wooden and stone tower did not last long and was dismantled after 1677.

In 1695, a new town hall was built under the direction of architect Carl Benoit. This time the material was exclusively stone. Some drawings and descriptions of the building have survived to this day, and they became the basis for the Carpathian architect Zenowiy Sokołowski, who created a new reconstruction of the tower.

In the first half of the 19th century, the general area near the town hall changed somewhat. In 1829, the new starosta Kratter made significant changes in the city administration. He is credited with the results of significant transformations that affected the appearance of the city.

In the fall of 1868, a fire broke out in the center of the city, and only an iron skeleton remained of the town hall.

In 1870, a new foundation of the building was laid from the cornerstone. In 1871 the construction was completed. The new building resembled a majestic rectangular two-story house with a high tower. The ensemble was completed with an elongated hemispherical dome.

During the First World War, the town hall was heavily damaged. The building did not collapse, but the walls were covered with significant cracks, and since then the town hall has remained in disrepair.

Construction of the new town hall began in 1929 and was completed no earlier than 10 years later. The building was constructed in the style of constructivism and was a cross with a tower rising from the cross. But during the Second World War, this town hall was damaged as well. The walls of reinforced concrete monolith saved the town hall from complete destruction by German troops, but the northwestern wing was completely destroyed.

In 1957, the building underwent renovations, during which the Polish eagles were replaced by sculptural abstractions. Thus, in April 1959, a local history museum was opened here.

By 2007, the town hall was equipped with 4 clocks with automatic mechanisms and electronic chimes that chime hours and quarters and play up to 12 Ukrainian bell-like melodies.

Ivano-Frankivsk City Hall is one of three buildings built in the constructivist style. Chortkiv and Svaliava town halls were built in the same style. The modern building is constructed in such a way that it resembles the Polish military order Virtuti Militari, which was given to soldiers from Haller's army for the liquidation of the ZUNR.

The town hall is located at 4a Halytska Street in the city center. You can get here by any public transport moving towards the center.

The observation deck at the Town Hall is open from 10:00 to 20:00. Entrance fee is 20 UAH. The day off is Monday.