Altes Rathaus, Gothic town hall in Erkelenz, Germany
The Altes Rathaus is a brick Gothic town hall in Erkelenz featuring open arcades on the ground floor that face the town square. The upper floor contains the council chamber, where city officials conducted municipal business and held formal gatherings.
The original building was destroyed in the great city fire of 1540, prompting stonemason Jan van Vyrß to receive a commission for rebuilding in 1541. This reconstruction became part of the city's recovery from the disaster.
The council chamber displays five valuable Flemish tapestries purchased in Munich during the 1960s, showing wedding scenes and card players. These works give the interior its character and tell of the artistic collections the city gathered over time.
The building underwent comprehensive renovation in 2020-2021 and now features an elevator for accessible entry to all areas. The ground floor is open for visitors to explore, while access to the upper council chamber is typically reserved for events and official functions.
The ground floor once served as an open marketplace, especially popular for trading regional linen cloth, until the arches were sealed in 1756. This change transformed the space from a busy trading hub into an enclosed building.
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