Stadhuis Antwerpen

The Antwerp City Hall is located on the Grote Mark in Antwerp. This structure is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site as part of the Belfries in Belgium. and France. The town hall was built between 1561 and 1564 in the Renaissance style by architect Cornelis Floris De Vriendt. In the 16th century, the mayor and aldermen of Antwerp got more and more work as the population of the city increased. There was then a need for a new alderman's house to better perform these activities. The foundation stone of this new building was laid in 1561. Two years later two thirds of the building was finished, but there was no money left to finish the town hall. Ultimately, therefore, the town hall was not completed until 1564. In 1567 the town hall was set on fire by soldiers of the Spanish king who had not received any pay for months. The roof and interior were severely damaged. Two years later the town hall was restored. Today the town hall still has the same function as before.