Oude stadhuis, Renaissance town hall at Grote Markt, Netherlands.
Oude Stadhuis is the town hall located at Grote Markt in Breda and was reconstructed after a fire destroyed the original structure from the 13th century. The current neoclassical facade was built between 1766 and 1768 and features a prominent stone staircase with lion sculptures at its entrance.
The original building dates to the 13th century but was destroyed by fire in 1534. The structure was later rebuilt and became a courthouse until the end of the French period, serving different administrative roles over time.
The interior displays numerous paintings of the House of Orange, marble fireplaces, and intricate stucco decorations that reflect Dutch governmental architecture.
The building continues to serve administrative functions and hosts official ceremonies like weddings and receptions. Visitors can view and photograph the exterior from Grote Markt, though access to the interior may be limited outside official events.
A statue of Justice stands atop the entrance, a detail many visitors overlook when viewing the building. This sculpture served as a symbol of the site's past role as a courthouse during local governance.
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