The principal building adjacent to the tower and facing the Main Square was built by the town Mayor Jacobus II (also called Jakab, Jakub) in the 14th century, while the tower (originally Gothic) was erected in the late 13th century.

The tower was reinforced and modified several times over the next centuries; at one point it contained mechanical clock, a large sphere depicting the current phases of the moon and above that there were bells.

Only two wings survive from this residential representative town residence - western and the short southern.

Later, the Old Town Hall underwent many transformations and enhancements, namely a Renaissance style reconstruction in 1599 following earthquake damage, Baroque restyling to the tower after a fire in the 18th century, and the addition of a Neo-Renaissance/Neo-Gothic wing built in 1912.

At times during that period, however, it also served other purposes, including housing a prison[4] and mint, and being place of trade and celebrations.

Exhibited items include torture instruments, the old town dungeons, antique weapons and armour, paintings and miniatures.

One of its curiosities is a cannonball embedded in the tower wall, shot by Napoleon's soldiers in 1809 during bombardment of the city from Petržalka.