Old town hall

600 years of the Old town hall

The Old town hall with its colourful façade was built in 1422. Work on the impressive building took 14 years, and a few decades later it experienced its first major historical moment: in 1496, Maximilian I convened the Reichstag in the wood-panelled council chamber. The small island town would never have dared to dream that the Reichstag would one day come to Lindau! The painted exterior of the town hall tells the story of the Reichstag and much more.

The Old Town Hall on Maximilianstraße

Many people wish that old houses could talk – about all the things their windows have seen and their rooms have experienced. Lindau has such a building: the Old Town Hall on Maximilianstraße. Magnificent, proud and colourful, it stands in the heart of the island, its large wooden staircase invitingly facing Bismarckplatz – as if inviting you to discover a piece of Lindau’s history in and around it. The Old Town Hall was built in Gothic style from 1422 onwards – work on the impressive building took 14 years. Just a few decades later, the building experienced one of its many historic moments: in 1496, Maximilian I convened the Reichstag in the wood-panelled council chamber.

Lindau childrens’ festival takes place in front of the Old Town Hall

In July 1655, the Lindau Children’s Festival took place in front of the Old Town Hall for the first time – laying the foundation for a wonderful tradition that continues to this day: girls and boys from all over the city, dressed in festive attire, parade to the Old Town Hall with flags and music to celebrate Lindau. In addition to Butschellen, a traditional sweet pastry, the children are also given vouchers for the folk festival that takes place afterwards – and every year, it seems as if the venerable town hall is competing with the girls and boys to see who can shine the brightest.

Controversial colourful façade

Things were considerably less harmonious around 1930, when the façade of the building was to be redesigned. There were years of discussions about the financing and the desired motifs, and when the artist Wilhelm Nida-Rümelin finally completed his work, there was an uproar: in addition to farmers, fishermen, a sea monster and the traditional lime trees, Nida-Rümelin had also depicted a dance of death: the battle between heaven and earth – symbolised by a skeleton and a young, naked woman! The Bavarian People’s Party deemed such a conspicuous display of eroticism unacceptable and demanded the immediate removal of the painting.

Former imperial city library in Lindau

Was this appeal successful? Take a look and see for yourself! And don’t forget the rear of the building: to the south, you will find further picture friezes and a historic sundial, as well as the entrance to the former imperial city library (ERB). And if you are wondering what the ‘herald’s bay window’ on the Old Town Hall is all about, here is the answer: In earlier times, the city authorities used the herald’s bay window to inform their citizens about decisions and new regulations. And even today, the bay window still reminds us of Christian values: the Ten Commandments are depicted on its picture panels.

The rooms of the Old Town Hall are still regularly used for city council and committee meetings as well as receptions. Unfortunately, they are not open to the public.