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Town Hall | Arcaded Courtyard 

The three-storey arcaded courtyard of the Town Hall at Hauptplatz 1 is an important Renaissance ensemble in the historical old town of St Veit an der Glan. Since the installation of a light glass-and-steel roof, the courtyard has been available for year-round use and has become a prestigious venue for events.

Construction History

The arcaded courtyard was built around 1540; it was extended on the north side in the 17th century and on the east and south sides in the 20th century.

The sgraffito decoration was renewed in 1953.

The Town Hall itself has a Gothic core, while the facade was given a Baroque transformation in 1754/55.

Architectural Features

The courtyard is three storeys high, surrounded by Renaissance arcades supported by Tuscan columns. The sgraffito decoration imitates baluster columns and fills the spandrels of the arches in a decorative manner. During the most recent adaptation, the courtyard received a new heated stone floor.

Addition of the Glass and Steel Roof

The roofing of the arcaded courtyard was completed in 1998, based on the design of the architect Herfried Peyker. The addition to the courtyard consists of a light glass-and-steel structure; it was challenging from a heritage conservation perspective (due in part to the uneven heights of the eaves) and is regarded as the first of its kind in Carinthia.

Event Location

Since its roofing in 1998, the Town Hall courtyard has been regularly used for cultural events. The town promotes the covered courtyard as an event location – offering gallery levels, a flexible stage, and facilities such as a catering area and cloakroom. In total, the location provides around 380 m² of usable space.

Arcaded Courtyard | Gallery 1

The three-storey arcaded courtyard dates from the Baroque period (16th century).
The three-storey arcaded courtyard dates from the Baroque period (16th century).
The rectangular arcaded courtyard rises through three storeys.
The rectangular arcaded courtyard rises through three storeys.
Each storey features round-arched arcades supported by stone columns.
Each storey features round-arched arcades supported by stone columns.
The arcaded galleries overlook the courtyard.
The arcaded galleries overlook the courtyard.
The surrounding galleries are secured by balustrades.
The surrounding galleries are secured by balustrades.
Decorative sgraffito adorns the spandrels above the arches. A spandrel is the triangular space between two adjacent arches.
Decorative sgraffito adorns the spandrels above the arches. A spandrel is the triangular space between two adjacent arches.
The courtyard floor is paved in chequerboard marble.
The courtyard floor is paved in chequerboard marble.
The arcaded courtyard is enclosed by a modern glass-and-steel roof.
The arcaded courtyard is enclosed by a modern glass-and-steel roof.
The ground floor stage highlights the courtyard’s function as an event venue.
The ground floor stage highlights the courtyard’s function as an event venue.

Passages Featuring Groin-Vaulted Ceiling | Gallery 2

From bottom to top, the corner support column displays plinth, base, shaft, and capital.
From bottom to top, the corner support column displays plinth, base, shaft, and capital.
At the corners, the arcaded galleries meet at right angles, enclosing a rectangular courtyard.
At the corners, the arcaded galleries meet at right angles, enclosing a rectangular courtyard.
The ground-floor passage features a groin-vaulted ceiling.
The ground-floor passage features a groin-vaulted ceiling.
Groin vaults rest on stone columns with simple capitals.
Groin vaults rest on stone columns with simple capitals.

Decorative Sgraffito | Gallery 3

Decorative sgraffito on the balustrade and spandrel of the arcaded galleries
Decorative sgraffito on the balustrade and spandrel of the arcaded galleries
A stone column supports the spandrel between two arches and the balustrade above.
A stone column supports the spandrel between two arches and the balustrade above.
Decorative sgraffito with a crowned eagle and a coiled snake decorates the spandrel.
Decorative sgraffito with a crowned eagle and a coiled snake decorates the spandrel.
Spandrel detail showing a crowned eagle within a ring, with a coiled snake below
Spandrel detail showing a crowned eagle within a ring, with a coiled snake below
Sgraffito on the spandrel with the coat of arms of St Veit an der Glan, flanked by three animal-like motifs
Sgraffito on the spandrel with the coat of arms of St Veit an der Glan, flanked by three animal-like motifs
Monochrome sgraffito with floral and coiled snake motifs in a Baroque spandrel
Monochrome sgraffito with floral and coiled snake motifs in a Baroque spandrel
Sgraffito on the balustrade with vertical balusters; floral motifs on the spandrel
Sgraffito on the balustrade with vertical balusters; floral motifs on the spandrel
Sgraffito on the spandrel with a crowned eagle as the central motif, surrounded by three animal-like figures
Sgraffito on the spandrel with a crowned eagle as the central motif, surrounded by three animal-like figures

Historical Photographs
Image Source: Archive of the Municipal Authority of St. Veit an der Glan

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Three-Storeyed Arcaded Courtyard
Photograph, c. 1960

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Sgraffito Ornamentation
Photograph, c. 1960

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Three-Storeyed Arcaded Courtyard
Photograph, c. 1960

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