Imagine, if you will, that it’s the year 1410. This is where the story of Hanover’s Old Town Hall begins. Today, we stand before the oldest secular building in Hanover. It is a testament to the city’s rich history.
The Old Town Hall has witnessed centuries of change. It has been rebuilt and extended many times. The first parts of the Old Town Hall appeared in 1410. The city council previously met in various locations. These included the city’s theatre and the market yard.
Look closely at the Old Town Hall. Notice the North German Brick Gothic style. It is a style it shares with the Marktkirche. Together they form the southernmost group of buildings. They exemplify this architectural style.
In 1607, two new prisons were set up in the town hall. Imagine the stories those walls could tell. The original ground floor transformed into today’s basement. This change occurred due to late medieval contamination.
Now, picture this: the late 19th century. There were plans to demolish the Old Town Hall. A citizens’ initiative rose to defend it. They succeeded in saving this historic building.
Conrad Wilhelm Hase renovated the Old Town Hall from 1877 to 1891. He restored it to its original condition. Hase considered this a “pure” architectural style.
Consider the apothecary wing, a half-timbered structure from the 16th century. It was replaced in 1844 by a municipal court. The court was designed in the Italian Renaissance style. Some called it the Doge’s Palace. Today, it houses the registry office.
During World War II, air raids heavily damaged the Old Town Hall in 1943. The oldest parts suffered the most. Restoration efforts took place in 1953 and 1964. The show gable on the west side was reconstructed. In 1999, the courtyard was redesigned and covered with a glass roof.
Let’s talk about the building’s usage. The city council met in a ballroom on the first floor after its construction. The ground floor served as storage for imported goods. Later, it became a council cellar. The city administration moved to Wangenheim Palace in 1863. The New Town Hall became the official seat in 1913.
Around 1900, market women had stands in the window bays of the former ground floor. Today, restaurants and shops occupy the Old Town Hall.
Take a look at the magnificent Gothic fial gables. Find the clay frieze above the outer right arched window on Schmiedestraße. It shows “Luderziehen”. This was a medieval folk game. It is like finger-wagging in southern Germany.
The Old Town Hall stands as a symbol of Hanover’s resilience. It embodies its architectural heritage. It has survived wars and demolition plans. It continues to serve the community today. Its walls whisper stories of centuries past. The Old Town Hall is a treasure. It is for us to cherish and protect.