Germany Guide
Northern Bavaria: Franconia
The Altes Rathaus
Address: Burgstrasse
North from Hauptmarkt, Burgstrasse climbs towards the Kaiserburg, with the right-hand side of the streed dominated by the splendid Renaissance facade of the AltesRathaus, built between 1616 and 1622 by Jakob Wolff the Younger in the style of an Italian palazzo. Splendid as it is, it screens much older parts of the building, including the HistorischerRathaussaal (1332–40), rebuilt after wartime destruction, which was the setting in 1649 for the peace banquet that celebrated the end of the Thirty Years' War. Little of the building is open to general view, but you can visit the creepy Lochgefängnisse (tours only: Feb & March Mon– Fri 10am–4.30pm; April– Oct Tues– Sun 10am–4.30pm; during Christkindlesmarkt daily 10am–4.30pm; Jan by appointment only; €3), a medieval jail complex and torture chamber.