Old Town Hall (Leipzig)

The Old Town Hall (German: Altes Rathaus), which dominates the east side of the Markt square in Leipzig's district Mitte, is considered one of Germany's most important secular Renaissance buildings.

The high staggered gables on the narrow sides are emphasized by strong horizontal cornices which is typical for that time in Saxony.

The main portal is supported by two Ionic columns and flanked with so-called gaff heads (in German: Gaffkopf), which are supposed to represent the master builders.

At second glance one discovers numerous other details such as the stone box oriels on the two gable ends, designed keystones, ornamental fountains, all kinds of commemorative plaques and finally a mullion on the south side.

[4] In 1341, Frederick II, Margrave of Meissen, offered the Leipzig mercers a representative building south of the market, probably built in the Romanesque style at the end of the 13th century.

Due to the growth of Leipzig and the consequent increase in the tasks of the city council, extensions were carried out on the north side of the Tuchhaus (Cloth hall).

Until the middle of the 16th century, there were fundamental structural changes, for example the town hall was widened by about four meters (13 feet) in the direction of the Naschmarkt, accompanied by an enlargement and elevation of the roof.

The town hall was rebuilt in 1556/57 by the reigning mayor and major merchant Hieronymus Lotter and thus largely acquired its current exterior appearance in the Saxon Renaissance style.

The ceremonial hall, with a length of about 40 m (131 ft.) was for a long time the largest event venue of the city and was therefore also used for public receptions and festivities.

[6] Restoration and reconstruction work for the new use of a museum took place from 1906 to 1909 under the direction of Otto Wilhelm Scharenberg,[7] the current exterior is largely a remodeling of these conversions.

During World War II, the building was badly damaged during the air raid on Leipzig on 4 December 1943, and the roof structure burnt to the ground.

The concrete ceiling supported by iron, which was installed during renovation work in the early twentieth century, prevented flames from spreading from the roof structure to the historic rooms on the first floor.

It is often assumed that the tower of the old town hall, which is shifted laterally to the left, marks the proportions of the golden ratio of the building.

However, the current division of the building front towards the marketplace in terms of golden ration is constituted by the center of the main portal and passage, located asymmetrically with respect to the tower.