Masaryk Square

The historical centre of Jihlava with a regular ground plan and a large square in the middle was built according to the building regulations of King Přemysl Otakar II.

Most of the houses in the square originally had arcades, which disappeared in the 2nd half of the 14th century. On the ground floor of the houses were large halls, mausoleums, where the owners ran a trade or a shop. Since most of the houses also had the right of bail, this area was also used as an inn.

The houses were restored in the Renaissance style after the fire of 1523, when the fire destroyed almost the entire town. Later on, Baroque modifications were made and then the appearance of the houses was completed by the austere classical facades of the last century.

The Krecl stood on the site of the present department store until 1974. It was a group of buildings dating back to the end of the 13th century. Their function was probably related to warehouse law.