Explanation:

The New Town Hall isn’t exactly “new” (the core is centuries old), but it became Brno’s city hall only in 1935. This sprawling complex of buildings has seen a lot: it originated as a Dominican monastery in the 13th century, and later served as the Moravian regional assembly and administrative center. Walk into the courtyard if it’s open – you’ll find a charming mix of architectural styles, from Gothic cloisters to Renaissance and Baroque embellishments. Statues, old well fountains, even a sundial adorn the premises. One fun (if slightly ironic) historical tidbit: in 1939, Adolf Hitler addressed citizens from one of the balconies here; decades later in 1996, Queen Elizabeth II spoke from the opposite balcony. Talk about a change in vibe! Today, this is where the Mayor and city council handle the civic business of Brno. It’s much quieter than the Old Town Hall, with offices and meeting halls rather than dragons and wheels. Still, history peeks through: you might notice two stone figures holding the city’s coat of arms above the portal, and if you explore the courtyards, there’s a fountain with allegorical statues of the twelve months. The New Town Hall represents Brno’s ability to reinvent old spaces for new uses – a monastery turned government seat turned modern city hall. Consider it a palate cleanser between our tales of dragons and our next stop, which plunges us back into pub life!

Directions to next stop:

Time for one more round of beers. From Dominikánské Square, turn left to Veselá Street and then take the first turn right to Středova. At the end of that street, turn left. Stopkova Plzeňská Pivnice is located at Česká 5. You’ll likely spot its antique red-and-white facade and a classic pub interior through the windows.