The Subotica City Hall is so large and beautiful that it irresistably bears witness to the ancient ambitions of Subotica citizens to tell the world unequivocally that this once largest district in the monarchy, also called “the biggest village”, is a city and they its citizens. The Subotica City Hall is like a sunflower or rooster in the paintings of naïve artists: the biggest, most beautiful, charming and important. Therefore, it is not surprising that it was declared one of the “Seven Natural and Construction Wonders of Serbia”, at a recent Politika Magazine event.
The largest and most attractive palace in the city, the Subotica City Hall, dominates the city and imfuses it with the distinct charm of Secessionism. Initial construction lasted two years, from 1908 to 1910, after which skilled workers spent just as long decorating its interior. Budapest architects Marcell Komor (1868 - 1944) and Desze Jakab (1864 - 1932) created the building’s initial design in the Neo-Baroque style. Although it was awarded first prize at a design competition, they later changed the project and constructed the building in the Hungarian variation of the then modern European style – Art Nouveau (Secessionism). They decorated the building with Transylvanian motifs of stylized tulips and peacock feathers. The City Hall is a harmonious mixture of handicraft and art.
(Selected parts of BelGuest Magazine Article)