The text describes the town hall in Görlitz (Zgorzelec). The history of this building, dating back to the 14th century, is recalled, as well as the question of the 'entrance' itself, i.e. the stairs leading to the main portico, which are also immortalised in the engraving accompanying the article (Source: Tygodnik Illustrowany, Warsaw 1875, Series 2, T:15, pp. 277-278, after: Digital Library of the University of Łódź).

A modernised reading of the text.

Description of the gate in Zgorzelec (Görlitz)

This ancient Piast stronghold, today the main town of the Lipnice district in Prussian Silesia, on the left bank of the Neisse river, among other commemorative buildings from the era of the fusion of Gothic and Renaissance styles, has a magnificent town hall, the foundation stone of which was probably laid as early as the beginning of the 14th century, at a time when Zgorzelec, together with other Silesian towns, was endowed with the Magdeburg law. As early as 1377, the edifice underwent a partial reconstruction that lasted several years. At that time, six gables, six corners and a signal tower with a horseman were erected, which was repeatedly damaged by storms later on. Erected at the beginning of the 16th century, the grand tower of the Town Hall still retains a purely Gothic appearance, while a little later the staircase leading to the main portico, which our engraving depicts and which already bears features of the Renaissance style, was added.

This beautiful work of art, characterised both by its harmonious arrangement and the charm of its ornamentation, is undoubtedly one of the most valuable monuments of 16th century architecture. By the staircase itself rises a column with a statue of Justice, intricately carved, and its finish shows that it was made by the hand of an Italian, or at least a native trained in Italy. To the left is a kind of balcony or rostrum, supported by two original shaped stone columns, with mermaids, surrounded by richly carved cornices. From here, judgements and decrees of the town council were once announced to the public. To the right is the town's coat of arms, made in 1488 by a Bohemian master. In the background, the magnificent doorway.

Another curiosity of the Zgorzelec town hall, still visible today but no longer audible, is the tower clock, renewed as early as 1386. Its dial consists of a human face with moving eyes. In the background, behind the clockwork, there is a metal lion which, with the aid of appropriately arranged bellows, emits a long-lasting roar at each quarter hour change and on festive days. Its voice was supposed to be so terrible that, for the nerves of the inhabitants and especially for the peace of the sick, this lion symphony had to be ordered to be silent.