Gamle Radhus (Old Town Hall), Trondheim

On Kongens Gate, opposite the Children's Technological Museum, is the Old Town Hall of Trondheim. It is a two story building with a Hanseatic facade, featuring an eight-pointed star-shaped window and the seal of the city.

Behind the peak of the center section of the facade is a square-shaped tower topped with a pyramid roof. The square tower portion is topped by an octagonal smaller tower with a pointed roof and spire.

The Old Town Hall was built sometime in the 18th century. It has been replaced as a town hall by the New Town Hall, close to the Cathedral. There is no public business conducted any more at the Old Town Hall. It functions today as part of the city's library.

In the old days the Hall was not only the city's government center, until 1863 it was also the notorious city jail. The jail lay under the Old Town Hall. The floors of the cells were earth. There was little sanitation and the cells were often overcrowded. The stench from down below caused the burning of incense above.

A more enlightened prison policy came along eventually. The old times are not remembered fondly. The New Town Hall does not smell bad and the Old Town Hall does quite well as a library.