Ratusha (Ivano-Frankivsk)

Ratusha
Ратуша
Contemporary view (south)
General information
Architectural style	Art Deco
Address	4a Halych Street
Town or city	Ivano-Frankivsk
Country	Ukraine
Coordinates	48°55′22″N 24°42′38″E / 48.922771°N 24.710459°E / 48.922771; 24.710459
Current tenants	Ivano-Frankivsk Regional Museum
Construction started	1928
Completed	1935
Renovated	1958
Owner	City government
Height	49.5 m (162 ft 5 in)
Design and construction
Architect	Stanislaw Trela (1928)
Other designers	Karol Benoe (1695) Filip Pokutynski (1870)
Main contractor	Engineer Krash and Co.

Ratusha, Ivano-Frankivsk (Ukrainian: Івано-Франківська ратуша, Polish: Ratusz) is a several stories-tall rathaus in the downtown (Old Town) of the city of Ivano-Frankivsk at the city's Market Square (locally - Ploshcha Rynok).

It is the only rathaus in Ukraine built in the Art Deco (part of the Style Modern). The current design was created in the 1920s by Polish architect Stanisław Trela, while the original building was built with creation of the city in the 17th century. The building is built in such way that from a top view it is reminiscent of the Polish order of Virtuti Militari (Military Valor).

At the beginning the Ratusz in Stanisławów was erected in the middle of a fortress which developed into the city of Stanisławów acquiring its city rights from Count in 1662. It is not known exactly when the construction started, but the Ratusz was first mentioned to be built out of wood in 1666. Presumably that was a temporary structure as in 1672 it was replaced by a nine-story tall building made out wood and rock of the late Renaissance style. The building as it planned was used for meeting of the city administration and court as a town hall. The rathaus was also used as an observation post. However, already in 1677, after the city withstood the Turkish siege it was simply disassembled.

Some twenty years by the request of a building of new Ratusz was initiated. For that purpose the architect Karol Benoe was invited, who finished the project in 1695. According to Kowalczyk, the architecture of that building was reminiscent with the style of Sebastiano Serlio. The new building was built after a similar Ratusz design in Husiatyn, only higher. In total the new building had nine floors. The Ratusz was topped with a small dome-type roof, on top of which was placed a sculptural ensemble of Archangel Michael who was defeating a serpent. In 1825 Archangel Michael was replaced with an eagle. On the level of a fifth floor on each of its tower four sides were placed clocks that every 15 minutes would engage a system of bells installed underneath the dome. The floor was encircled by an observation balcony. The second and third floors of the Ratusz were designated for the city administration while its first floor was leased for various trade shops (stores) which at some point accounted for up to 24. In the basement of the Ratusz was created a jail.