Altes Rathaus, Klagenfurt, Renaissance town hall in Alter Platz, Klagenfurt, Austria.
The Altes Rathaus is a Renaissance building on Alter Platz featuring three stories and an ornate barrel-vaulted entrance portal. Inside lies a 17th-century courtyard surrounded by arched arcades on the ground floor, with decorative details including lion head reliefs on the vases.
The building was originally constructed as Palais Welzer in the 17th century before becoming the town hall in 1737. It served this civic function until 1918, when the city administration relocated to Palais Rosenberg.
The front wall displays a fresco by Josef Ferdinand Fromiller from 1739 showing Justitia surrounded by the coats of arms of Carinthia and Klagenfurt. This artistic choice reflected how civic buildings of that era were designed to showcase local power and identity.
The building is easy to spot on Alter Platz with its distinctive architectural features including a rusticated ground floor and a clock set in the gable. You can best appreciate the facade and decorative details during daylight hours when the light emphasizes these elements.
The first floor features an uncommon balustrade with bricks arranged diagonally, a detail that stands out from typical Renaissance building styles. This architectural quirk gives the facade a distinctive appearance and is often overlooked by visitors.
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