Market Square and Town Hall, Bonn (must see)

The Market Square of Bonn is dominated by the Old Town Hall ("Altes Rathaus") built in 1737, during the time of Elector Clemens August. The Hall was built in the Rococo style by French architect Michel Leveilly. It was was heavily damaged in 1944 but it was successfully rebuilt without major changes in design.

The building has four stories and seven window axes and a Gambrel roof with dormers. It is well known for its gilded double staircase on two "folded" ramps at the main entrance. Charles de Gaulle, John F. Kennedy, and Mikhail Gorbachev are among the heads of state that have signed the Hall's Golden Book.

Another landmark is the obelisk of the Market Fountain standing in a pool at the center of the square. The 13th century church of Bonn Minster with its conical towers offers a place for meditation.

At the right of the Town Hall was the restaurant Der Zehrgarten, a meeting place of artists and society in Beethoven's time. It was a frequent haunt of young Beethoven who was a great admirer of Babette Koch, daughter of the manager. In November 1792 Beethoven made his farewell to friends in Der Zehrgarten before leaving for Vienna.