Town Hall, Banská Bystrica
Building, structure
The origins of the Town Hall date back to the 14th century. The previously single-storey building was given its current form in 1787-88, and its tower was also built at that time. The tower is notable for its clock, the hands of which indicate the passage of time in reverse: the small hand indicates the minutes, and the large hand indicates the hours. The Justitia fresco in the council chamber and the epigram above the entrance door of the hall are interesting: “Unicuique suum” (To each his own). The council chamber of the Town Hall is also notable for the fact that in 1704 Rákóczi’s envoys — in the presence of English and Dutch observers — tried to negotiate with the imperial envoys here. However, the meeting ended unsuccessfully. When the Town Hall was rebuilt at the end of the 18th century, the St. Anne’s Chapel, which was built together with it and connected by a staircase, was demolished. The statue of Mary was erected in its place.