Altes Rathaus, City hall building in Magdeburg, Germany.
Altes Rathaus is an administrative building in Magdeburg with Gothic architecture and Renaissance elements, rising at Alter Markt with an impressive sandstone facade and multiple towers. The historic Ratskeller restaurant occupies the basement, giving visitors a chance to experience the setting in a traditional way.
The town hall was first mentioned in 1244 and underwent several destructions and reconstructions, particularly after fires in 1293 and severe damage during the Thirty Years' War. These repeated crises shaped the building's current form, which represents continuity despite major breaks in the city's history.
The bronze door by sculptor Heinrich Apel displays detailed scenes from Magdeburg's civic history, allowing visitors to see important moments of the city captured in sculptural form.
The building allows visitors to explore its spaces and visit the restaurant in the basement, and you should allow time to examine the architectural details. Morning light works best for photography, and the surrounding square offers viewpoints of the whole structure.
A carillon with 47 bronze bells was installed in 1974 and performs hourly melodies and weekly concerts. This was the first bell installation of its kind in former East Germany and remains a distinctive feature of the square.
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