Old City Hall

The Old City Hall in Menden was built in 1911 and 1912 according to plans by Carl Moritz, the government architect from Cologne. The city constructed the new building in response to population growth and the increased administrative needs resulting from industrialization. Mayor Dr. Ernst Overhues inaugurated the building in 1912. The three-story stucco building combines elements of Art Nouveau with the clearly structured Reform architecture. A defining feature is the centrally located round tower with a slate-covered, decagonal, stepped dome and the Westphalian horse at its peak. On the market square side, the town hall opens onto a colonnade of round-arched arcades. Natural stone pillars, a balcony with a balustrade, and decorative stones made of Westerwald trachyte accentuate the façade. Inside, numerous historical details have been preserved, including the curved artificial stone staircase in the elliptical stairwell, tile floors, doors, and windows. The former council chamber on the second floor still features wooden galleries, brass chandeliers, and windows—some of which are stained glass. Today, it houses the Cultural Affairs Office of the City of Menden. The historic building, which is listed as a historic landmark, bears witness to a defining phase in Menden’s urban development.