Old Town Hall in Prachatice

The Old Town Hall is the most important Renaissance monument in Prachatice, built in 1571, and it is decorated using the technique known as chiaroscuro. This is the Italian term for an artistic method using contrasts between light and dark. The main principle of chiaroscuro is modeling with light.

Of particular interest are the paintings located below the roof cornice, depicting eight human virtues: patience, prudence, love, justice, faith, hope, courage, and temperance. Interestingly, the New Town Hall features depictions of human activities and professions instead.

Also worth noticing at the Old Town Hall is the large Rosenberg coat of arms, held between the central windows by two bears. Below the other windows are scenes from the field of justice and plaques with Latin inscriptions on the first floor.