Old Town Hall

A Masterpiece of the Weser Renaissance

When Duke Otto the Strict laid out his plans for the town of Celle in 1292, he also founded the town hall on the market square. The building is an impressive testament to his Ducal rule and was expanded and richly decorated in the 14th and 16th centuries. The north gable is a masterpiece of the Weser Renaissance and there are still Gothic cross vaults in the Ratskeller.

The old town hall, one of the oldest buildings in Celle, consists of two parts.

Chronology

• 1378
  Town hall mentioned for the first time, although it has probably existed since the founding of Celle in 1292; expanded in 1380.
• From 1561
  New construction of the north wing over the vaults of the earlier, medieval building, by master mason Jakob Rieß. The sculptures on the northern bay window were crafted by stonemason Frederic Soltesburg from Salzburg. Sculptors from Hameln also work on the Renaissance north gable (1577-79).
• 1580-81
  Extension of a south wing by master mason Jakob Rieß and carpenter Hans Gudehus, recognisable by a bend in the building.
• 1600-03
  Reconstruction of the south wing following a fire, renewed again in 1785 in the classic style.
• 1938
  Extended to the south by 5 metres. The interior can also be dated from this time.
• 2008-2009
  Restoration of the facade based on the baroque ashlar and illusionist paintings of H. J. Süersen from 1697.