The unusual Town Hall in Steinfurt, built in 1561, was meant to symbolize independence and financial well-being of Burgsteinfurt. It was erected at the expense of the city inhabitants by the example of Munster’s Town Hall. The unusual triangular pediment with "wavy" edges is adorned by seven pointed pyramids and the city coat of arms. The Town Hall Tower is supported by a large oak beam, called Kaiserstiel (Imperial Beam).
The gallery on the ground floor of Steinfurt’s Town Hall housed the city guard and a prison for a long time. On the first floor there is a large hall for the city council meetings, as well as the fireplace room. The city court holds meetings on the square in front of the building. In winter its meetings were held upstairs in the palace. Many verdicts were brought into effect immediately: the offenders were flogged, or tied to a pole in the same area. Now, the city registry is in the old Town Hall office, and the first floor is used as a banquet hall. By the way, there is a fun tradition in Steinfurt. Unmarried men must sweep a section of the street in front of the Town Hall on the day of their thirtieth birthday. To prevent this ritual from turning into a formality, relatives and friends of the single man bring rubbish there in advance.