Town Hall Room

An executioner's sword, a Bible and a cross form a set associated with the oath of a newly elected mayor. The cross dates from 1713 and was given to the town by Martin Dévay, then its mayor. The objects came from Kežmarok's town hall, whose furnishings were transferred to the castle exhibition.

Kežmarok received town privileges from Béla IV in 1269. The mayor was elected for one year. An inner council of twelve senators was chosen by an outer council of fifty; municipal administration covered assets including mills, a school, a hospital and vineyards in the Tokaj region.

A facsimile of Matthias Corvinus's 1463 grant of arms recalls the right to use a coat of arms. It was accompanied by permission to seal documents with red wax. A sealing device from 1802 and ballot boxes represent other official activities.

Surviving town hall furniture includes tables, chairs, armchairs, a bench, chests and an archive cabinet. Portraits of Hungarian rulers and maps of the town and its lands complete the display. The oldest surviving municipal flag dates from 1768.