The City Hall in Aachen is not just an architectural monument, but also a building that still plays a huge role in city life. As you know, the building stands close to the equally famous Aachen Cathedral, forming a magnificent architectural ensemble that is listed as one of Germany's most valuable monuments.
If you look into the depths of Aachen's history, you will see that the town hall was previously located in the so-called Grasshaus, but in the 14th century it was decided to build a new building, as the city received a new free status. The old town hall could not host huge receptions, and certainly could not be a place for coronations. The construction of the new town hall started in 1330, and the building was completed in nineteen years, which is not a long time considering the scale. It is also known that the foundation for the construction of the town hall was the palace of Emperor Charles, which had been destroyed by that time.
The several fires that occurred in the fate of this building destroyed either the roof or the towers, but each time the town hall was rebuilt. In the 18th century, the town hall was extensively rebuilt and restored, with frescoes and special wood panelling as its highlight. The following 19th century also brought many changes, as the town hall was constantly rebuilt, adding halls. The purpose of these actions was to return the town hall to the Gothic features that had been lost earlier.
The famous statues of kings in company with traditional symbols of various arts and sciences - fifty statues made in stone - appeared on the northern facade not so long ago, in the middle of the 19th century. Around the same time, Alfred Retel put his talented hand to the frescoes that appeared on the walls of the halls.
The Town Hall also suffered during the Second World War: in 1943 the building became one of the objects of bombing. Restoration work was carried out slowly and carefully: all available drawings were compared, the most authentic ones were chosen, the most complex ornaments were reproduced, and the frescoes were renewed. The process was slow, the full restoration was completed only by the end of the 70s.
Today, Aachen Town Hall is one of the city's most striking landmarks, an architectural monument and a landmark for the citizens of Aachen. From fairs to sporting events, Aachen's most important events take place on the square in front of it. And the building itself houses not only a museum, but also the usual working offices of the burgomaster and other officials who manage the city's affairs in the third millennium.
