Soviet collectible postcard from 1976, capturing the building of the former town hall in Vitebsk, which houses the regional museum of local lore.
What is shown on the postcard
The photograph features the illuminated former Vitebsk Town Hall at night. The three-story main building and its tall, multi-tiered octagonal clock tower with a dome top are clearly visible. In the foreground, silhouettes of deciduous trees are shown against the dark sky.
Historical note
The stone building of the town hall was erected in 1775 on the site of previous wooden structures that were repeatedly destroyed by fires. The architectural design of the building combines features of Vilna Baroque and Classicism. Since the city received Magdeburg Rights in 1597, the town hall served as a symbol of self-government, and later housed the city duma, police, and fire services.
Present day
Today, the town hall building is an architectural monument of national significance and one of the city’s main landmarks. Since 1924, it has been home to the Vitebsk Regional Museum of Local Lore, which holds hundreds of thousands of exhibits in its collections.
Location (map)
Address: Lenina St, 36, Vitebsk, Belarus
Coordinates: 55.195324, 30.206385
(Google Maps)
Coordinate source: Coordinates of the Vitebsk Town Hall building (Lenina St, 36).
Questions and answers
- When was the stone town hall in Vitebsk built? The current stone town hall building was erected in 1775.
- What is currently located inside the town hall building? The Vitebsk Regional Museum of Local Lore is currently located inside the town hall building.
- What architectural styles does the town hall represent? The architectural style of the town hall combines elements of Vilna Baroque and Classicism.
See also
The «Old Postcards» archive includes other views of Vitebsk from 1976.
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