Description of the attraction
The ancient city of Gouda has always attracted many tourists. Three hundred and fifty local sights have been awarded the status of a national monument. One of the main attractions of the city is the old town hall.
Gouda received city status in 1272. In 1448-1450. the town hall was built. Now it is considered one of the oldest Gothic town halls and generally one of the oldest secular buildings in the Gothic style.
The Town Hall is located in the Market Square, one of the largest market squares in Holland. Like many hundreds of years ago, there is a lively trade on the open market and a cheese market on Thursdays. Over the past centuries, the town hall has been altered and rebuilt many times. It was originally surrounded by a moat that was filled up in 1603. In the 17th century, a staircase was added to the town hall, leading to the building itself and to the balcony on the rear façade, which was also used as a scaffold. The door from the building to the balcony appeared only in 1897, when Queen Wilhelmina was supposed to greet the people from the balcony of the town hall - but she could not climb the stairs there like a criminal!
According to the established tradition, the convicted offender left the building by the left staircase and followed to the balcony, skirting the building; those found not guilty left the town hall on the right staircase. Until now, newlyweds who marry in the old town hall are strongly advised to leave the building by the right staircase.
The statues that adorn the facade of the town hall are relatively new and appeared in the 50s of the XX century. In the 60s, the town hall was decorated with a clock, under which every hour a puppet show “Count Floris V leaves his castle to grant Gauda the charter of the city” is performed.
The interiors of the town hall date back mainly to the 17th and 18th centuries. Here you can see numerous paintings, drawings, sculptures. On the walls of the town hall are portraits of all the mayors of Gouda.
