Osnabrück's town hall is without doubt one of the most well-known historical buildings in Osnabrück. It was built in the 15th/16th century in late-gothic style and needed a construction time of 25 years (construction start 1487, construction finish 1512). According to sources the reason were many building interuptions.
Osnabrück's town hall reached its biggest historical importance through the peace negotitions during the Thirty Year War (1618 – 1648), which ended with the 'Peace of Westphalia' in the town halls of Osnabrück and Münster.
Noticeable are the 42 portrait paintings of the 'Pazifikatores' (the European envoys of the peace congress) and the then-ruler at the Friedenssaal.
The treasure chamber houses some valuable items like silver, coins, embossing tools and certificates. But the most valuable pieces of the treasure chamber are the imperial cup and Osnabrück's oldest shooter-chain. Also a replica of the Westphalia peace treaty the 'Osnabrücker Friedensinstrument“ can be seen here.
The upper floor of the town hall houses a big town model of Osnabrück in the year 1633, custom-built after a map by the engraver Wenzel Hollar.
The town hall's facade impresses with an 18m high hipped roof which is the same size as the rest of the building. Six towers define the character of a fortification clearly which is still more portrayed by the fact that in the place of today's stone staircase was a wooden staircase until 1845, which could be retracted when danger occurred.
At the front of the town hall imposing figures impress. The figure to Charles the Great (founder of the diocese Osnabrück around 780) stands in the centre of the entrance.
| Replica of the Osnabrück peace treaty " Instrumentum pacis Caesareo-Suecicum sive Osnabrugense" – 'Osnabrücker Friedensinstrument' – in the treasure chamber | |
| Town model – Depiction of Osnabrück in the year 1633 – at the upper floor of the town hall | |
| The imperial cup which shows the figure of Charles the Great – in the treasure chamber | |
| Osnabrück's oldest shooter chain – in the treasure chamber | |
| the 42 portraits of the 'peace maker' – at the Friedenssaal | |
| Address: Markt 49074 Osnabrück Tel.: (0541) 323-2152 | |
| Opening Times: Mondays – Fridays: 8am – 6pm Saturdays: 9am – 4pm Sundays: 10am – 4pm Free admission! Guided Tour: Sundays 10.30am | |
Virtual guided tour through the town hall: | |
| Town hall guided tours and more: http://www.tempusagentur.de/ | |
| Town hall Osnabrück: http://www.osnabrueck.de/erlebnis/552.html |
Deutschland
