Ghent - Town Hall Stadhuis

North of the Lakenhalle on the Botermarkt stands the magnificent Stadhuis (town hall). It combines a variety of architectural styles, having been built over a long period of time. On the oldest parts of the building on the Hoogpoort, completed in the style of Bruges City Hall in 1482 and containing the council chambers, the architects Rombout Keldermans and Dominik de Waghemakere built a new wing in the finest late Gothic form richly decorated with statues.

However, building work on this part, which is best seen from the corner of Hoogpoort and Belfortstraat, was suspended because of religious disputes in 1539. Only a quarter of the original plan was realized and only the Pacificatiezaal (Peace Hall; actually the court room for the Keure, the protectors of the town constitution) and the Marriage Chapel, both 1535, were built. Work only resumed at the end of the 16th C. so that the wing facing the Botermarkt is in Renaissance style as is the Throne Room on the upper floor (1635). Further building was carried out in the 18th C. on the Conciergerie (Flemish Baroque; corner of Hoogpoort/Stadhuissteeg) and the Armenkamer (Roccoco, 1750; at the Poeljemarkt).