Poznań Town Hall

History

Poznan's Town Hall was first mentioned in a document in 1310 as 'Domus Consulum.' The building was completed in 1300 under the reign of Wacław II Czeski. It was a one story building built upon a raised quadrangle. The cellars remain from this period of construction. Renovations were made in the 15th century. The interior was remodeled 1504-1508.

The eagle, which survived WWII in hiding, returned to the tower in 1947. The current mechanism behind the goats from the end of the 20th century. The goats bump heads each day at 12:00.

Legend of the Crow King

One day Bolko, son of the tower's trumpeter, found a crow whose wing had been shot through. The boy felt pity for the crow, took him to his home and took care of him. One night the boy was awoken by a gnome wearing a crown and purple cape. He thanked the boy for his kindness and handed him a small gold trumpet. The gnome told the boy to blow it when he was in danger. After these words he changed himself into a crow and flew away. A few years later, when Bolko took the place of his father as the tower's trumpeter, Poznań was attacked by a foreign army. When the attackers were already climbing up the city walls, the boy remembere about the Crow King's present. He ran to the top of the tower and began to play the trumpet. Dark clouds began to gather on the horizon, which turned out to be an enormous murder of crows. They fell upon the attacking army, forcing it into retreat. The golden trumpet was lost as Bolko dropped it due to his astonishment.