Großzunft

The Großzunft is a Renaissance building located at the Marktplatz in Memmingen with distinctive white-painted stonework and ornately decorated gables. Stone lions support a decorative balcony, and the structure now houses municipal administrative services for the city.

The building was constructed in its present form between 1718 and 1719, replacing an earlier location associated with the guild revolution of 1347. This rebuilding occurred when wealthy merchants sought to modernize their meeting spaces.

The building served as a social gathering place for wealthy merchants, who used its rooms for celebrations and meetings as part of their prominent role in city life. This tradition of assembly continued until the early 1800s when the city came under Bavarian rule.

The building sits centrally at the Marktplatz and is easy to reach on foot, especially when exploring the old town center. Today it houses city administrative services like passport and registration offices, so opening hours and access may vary depending on business needs.

Above the balcony sits a Latin inscription that works as a chronogram, with the construction year 1719 hidden within the letters themselves. This clever dating method was a favored practice among builders during the Renaissance and Baroque periods.