As early as the 14th century, Kortrijk possessed a town hall, which was, however, completely gutted down by the French army after the victory at Westrozebeke in 1382.

[citation needed] In 1807, during the French occupation, the statues and their canopies were removed and the front was flattened out according to the spirit of the age.

Nine dormers at the top have wooden shutters which are decorated with the coats of arms of the city of Ypres, Bruges and Ghent, followed by the regions over which Kortrijk exercised authority namely Menen, Deinze, Tielt, Harelbeke and lastly the coat of arms of Kortrijk itself.

[1] Above the entrance door is a statue of Saint Paul with a sword, referring to the aldermen’s role of exercising the law.

The next statue represents Guy of Dampierre (1226–1305), followed by Philip the Good (1396–1467) wears the distinctive chain of the Order of the Golden Fleece, which he founded, Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor (1500-1558), Albert VII, Archduke of Austria (1559–1621) and Isabella Clara Eugenia (1566–1633) which is around the corner of the building in Leiestraat.

[1] Inside the city hall is the beautiful Aldermen’s hall and the Council room with 16th century sculpted chimneys, decorated with stained glass, wall murals and peculiar topographical maps, aka the Gothic room, on the first floor as well as the modern council chamber to the right of the Aldermen's Chamber.

A jester in a fool’s hat with the ears of a donkey embodies folly, which Justice should meet with love and prudence.

She offers a jug to a poor person dressed in rags, to a pilgrim (with a ‘pellegrina’ over his shoulders), and to the foolish jester and a man staring death in the face (= a skull).

[1]: 23 The mural paintings, made in 1875 after the romantic fashion of that time, depict special scenes of Kortrijk's history.

In the centre it shows Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor, administrator of Flanders, with a sword and ‘globus cruciger’ (cross-bearing orb).

The wooden statues at the top symbolise faith and the seven virtues: humility, kindness, chastity, charity, temperance, patience and diligence.

They were meant to be warnings of the power a woman exerted over a man, who usually triumphed through his strength or wisdom: Eve tempting Adam, Aristotle being ridden like a horse by Phyllis, Virgil being hoisted up in a basket but stopping halfway and Samson and Delilah.

[1]: 15 The stained-glass windows show the city's coat of arms and those of the 13th century craft guilds, principally textile workers.