Photo: architectural monuments, museums and exhibitions, Town Hall , North Rhine-Westphalia

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Town Hall - a Unique Example of the Late Gothic

Architectural Monuments • Museums and Exhibitions

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Aachen Town Hall, along with Aachen Cathedral is the main attraction of the ancient capital of the Carolingian kingdom. Aachen Town Hall is a unique architectural and historical monument, a remarkable example of the late Gothic. The building of the town hall stands on Marktplatz - the main city square, the venue of the city's celebrations. On other days, the peasant market continues to delight residents and visitors there like in the old days.

At the beginning of the XIV century Aachen remained a free city, which hosted the coronation of German kings. The Old Town Hall did not correspond to the value of the city, therefore the construction of a new one began in 1330. The Town Hall was built on the foundations of the former palace of Charlemagne. Partially other elements of the old palace, such as Granusturm Tower, were also used.

The construction of the Town Hall was completed in 1349. The hall for the coronation hosted not only the coronation celebrations, but also meetings of the Imperial Seima and the noisy feasts for the next coronation.

On May 2, 1656 misfortune struck Aachen: there was a terrible fire in the city, which partially destroyed the Town Hall. They had to build the roof of the building and the tower spiers anew. After the renovation the Town Hall became more of the Baroque style that was fashionable then. The old image of the Town Hall was recovered in the XIX century. The facade was rebuilt again in the Gothic style. The interiors of the rooms were decorated with frescoes by Alfred Roedel.

And to this day Aachen Magistrate is in this historic building. Part of the Town Hall is used as a museum. Here you can see unique artifacts such as the Gospel of Charlemagne, his sword, the crown of Holy Roman Emperor Otto I. In our days the Charlemagne Prize is annually awarded for contribution to the unification of Europe in the room where once coronation ceremonies were held.

Town Hall - a Unique Example of the Late Gothic

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