Stadhuis Enkhuizen, City hall in Enkhuizen, Netherlands
Stadhuis Enkhuizen is a city hall with a sandstone facade and rectangular layout, built during the Dutch Baroque period. The building houses rooms with historical decorations, including the Schepenkamer with green velvet and the Burgemeesterskamer with painted ceilings from the 1600s.
The building was designed by architect Steven Vennekool between 1686 and 1688, marking a turning point in Dutch architecture. It was the first city hall in the country without pilasters, distinguishing it from other civic structures of that era.
The building's interior reveals the town's former prosperity through painted canvases, wooden chandeliers, and marble floors that date back centuries. These furnishings show how important this place was to local civic life and celebrations.
The building is accessible and serves as a venue for weddings and official events, with historical rooms available to view. It is best visited during daytime hours to see the decorative details and architecture in natural light.
At the entrance stands a cannon from 1622 that was captured from Dunkirk pirates and brought here as spoils of war. An inscription beside the cannon tells the story of this capture and honors those who seized it.
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