Cologne Town Hall is located in the center of the old town. At the foot of the Town Hall Tower, along the Rhine embankment, is located the Old Market Square (Altermarkt). In front of the Cologne Town Hall is the Town Hall Square, where the museum is now open.
The Cologne Town Hall was built in the 14th century. The first mention of it in city documents dates back to 1330. In the Town Hall worked the city authorities, who were engaged in the management of the city. In the Middle Ages, Cologne was one of the richest cities in the Holy Roman Empire, headed by an archbishop (elector). The city was an active member of the Hanseatic League, which was created to unite politically disparate German cities into a powerful trading force. In 1367, representatives of the Hanseatic cities met in the Long Hall of the Cologne Town Hall to form a military alliance against the Danish King Valdemar IV. After that, the Long Hall became known as the Hanseatic Hall.
The preserved Cologne Town Hall is built in the Gothic style. The Town Hall tower was built in 1407-1414 and has a distinct Gothic facade. On the outer walls of the tower there are sculptures of kings, electors and simply noble inhabitants of Cologne. In front of the Cologne Town Hall in 1569, the main entrance was built in the Baroque style.
During the World War II, the Cologne Town Hall was significantly damaged, but after the war it was restored to its original appearance. On the Town Hall Square, excavations of ancient buildings were made, and now a museum has been created here.
