Altes Rathaus (Old Town Hall), Freiburg

The Old Town Hall stands as a testament to the city's rich history and architectural heritage. Its origins can be traced back to the early 14th century when the city purchased a building on Franziskanerplatz, now known as Rathausplatz, along with two adjoining structures. These acquisitions were made to establish the chancery of the town clerk. In the years 1443 to 1479, documents refer to a "Richthaus" or court house situated within these buildings.

In 1557, the council commissioned master builder Dietrich Neeb and master mason Barthlin Ress to construct a new building on this property. The initial structure was extended to the north in 1561 and later in 1600 along Turmstraße, resulting in a unified facade while retaining distinct construction phases.

The building from 1557/1559 exhibits an asymmetrical arrangement of construction axes, a characteristic that remains visible today. The ground floor boasts three entrances, with the main portal on the right reflecting Renaissance style and dating back to 1558. This portal features two lions holding the coat of arms of Freiburg and the Bindenschild of Austria. The main entrance to the building, framed by a Renaissance arch, is situated on the far left and formerly served as the passage route into the town hall courtyard. Above the arch, a clock crowned by the Double-headed eagle of the Holy Roman Empire, along with the coats of arms of Hungary and Bohemia, adorns the facade. Additional coats of arms on the gable over the main entrance commemorate various monarchs in Freiburg's history.

In 1559, the house facade of the old town hall was adorned with scenes from a dance of death, a theme that was later replaced by a painting depicting scenes from the life of Philip II of Macedon in 1560, as per the council's request. Over the centuries, the building underwent changes and refurbishments, including a renovation in the 19th century.

Tragically, during Operation Tigerfish in 1944, the Old Town Hall suffered extensive damage, resulting in the loss of its entire interior decor. The subsequent reconstruction saw the use of modern materials and the addition of three wings in a functional style typical of that era. Today, the building is uniformly plastered in a sandstone red hue, featuring windows framed in black and gold with colorful portals.