The Gothic Old Town Hall in Malbork is currently undergoing major renovation. Work has been underway since 2024 and covers both the medieval part of the building and the later extension. Once the project is complete, the building will become the headquarters of the Malbork Centre for Culture and Education.
Malbork Town Hall: a witness to the town’s history
The history of Malbork Town Hall is inextricably linked to that of the Old Town, which developed from the late 13th century onwards at the foot of the local Teutonic Castle. Around 1380, a stately town hall was built on the market square. It was here that the authorities held their meetings, important decisions were made and municipal celebrations were organised. Over the centuries, the building suffered the effects of wars and fires on numerous occasions. It was rebuilt and renovated, but its appearance has survived in a relatively unchanged form. The greatest damage occurred in 1945. At that time, most of the buildings in the Old Town lay in ruins and were never rebuilt. The town hall was one of the few historic buildings to survive, though not without damage. After the Second World War, the building was renovated and extended with an annexe, which remains part of the historic building to this day.
The first stage of the Town Hall’s renovation
Renovation of the Town Hall began in February 2024. First, the roof was renovated, the attic was secured, the façade was restored and the historic walls were reinforced. Approximately 3 million zł was allocated for this stage, a significant portion of which was provided by the Government Programme for the Reconstruction of Historic Buildings. Materials reflecting the building’s historical appearance were used during the works. The cleaned façades once again revealed the rich colour of the brickwork, so characteristic of the Gothic architecture of the old towns of the Teutonic Order. The fountain in front of the town hall was also restored, as was the statue of the crossbowman, which has been one of Malbork’s symbols for many years.
Historic interiors with new functions
The largest scope of works is currently underway. The town has allocated over 9.4 mln zł for this stage. Most of the construction work has already been completed, and finishing works and preparations for technical acceptance are currently in progress. During this stage of the renovation, valuable polychrome decorations were discovered, which, once the project is complete, will be on display for the residents and visitors of Malbork to admire. The building has also been fitted with a lift, a new entrance and facilities for people with disabilities. Meanwhile, exhibition spaces and ancillary rooms are being created in the basement.
The new part of the building and mixed opinions
Significant changes have also taken place in the post-war extension. The designers opted for a subdued design intended not to detract from the Gothic town hall. The building has been clad in white plaster, simple windows have been fitted, and the former galleries have been glazed. The new look of this part of the town hall complex has not won everyone over. It is difficult to regard it as particularly successful or aesthetically interesting. Such colours and materials, when juxtaposed with the Gothic structure, look rather cheap, and a historic building of this calibre certainly deserves a more refined design.
Malbork Town Hall comes back to life
Recent work has focused on improving the building’s energy efficiency. This has included, amongst other things, insulation, damp-proofing the walls and the installation of new heating and lighting systems. The project is scheduled for completion at the end of August or beginning of September 2026. The historic interiors will host events, art workshops and educational sessions.
Source:visitmalbork.pl, urzad.malbork.pl
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