Kortrijk City Hall
Encyclopedia
The City Hall of Kortrijk is situated on the main square of the Belgian
city of Kortrijk
(Courtrai). The facade of the late-Gothic, early Renaissance city hall is adorned with the statues of the Counts of Flanders.
As early as the 14th century Kortrijk possessed a town hall, which was, however, completely gutted down by the French army after the victory at Westrozebeke
in 1382.
In 1420 a larger town hall was built in High Gothic
style . The pointed arches in the hall on the ground-flour and upstairs are the only remnants of that building.
The present city hall was erected about 1520 in a style composed of Gothic
and Renaissance
elements. It was considerably larger than its predecessor. The front was gilded and polychromed (as the front of the Brussels
town hall still is).
In 1526, statues of the principal Counts of Flanders were put into niches, which so far had housed prophets' statues. In 1616 the town hall was once more enlarged, with a part of the front in the extant style.
From the end of the 17th and throughout the 18th centuries, the front underwent a series of alterations and mutilations. They did not hesitate to set up a pillory
against it.
In 1807, during the French occupation, the statues and their canopies were removed and the front was flattened out according to the spirit of the age. Around 1850 the front was renovated, but not too successfully. Even while in progress the artistic value of the restoration was questioned.
In 1854 the festive hall was fitted up on the occasion of a visit by king Leopold II and the Queen. In 1934 the historic Council Chamber was likewise taken in hand.
In 1938 the first plans were drawn for the restoration of the building to its 16th-century state. The actual works lasted from 1958 to 1961.
style was completed in 1527.
The mural paintings, made in 1875 after the romantic fashion of that time, depict outstanding scenes of Kortrijk's history.
The stained-glass windows show the city's coat of arms and those of the 13th century craft guilds (principally textile workers).
arches and a beautiful wooden portico. The graceful mantelpiece, a real lace work out of stone, is undoubtedly the show-piece of the Kortrijk city hall.
Belgium
Belgium , officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a federal state in Western Europe. It is a founding member of the European Union and hosts the EU's headquarters, and those of several other major international organisations such as NATO.Belgium is also a member of, or affiliated to, many...
city of Kortrijk
Kortrijk
Kortrijk ; , ; ) is a Belgian city and municipality located in the Flemish province West Flanders...
(Courtrai). The facade of the late-Gothic, early Renaissance city hall is adorned with the statues of the Counts of Flanders.
History
Battle of Roosebeke
The Battle of Roosebeke took place on November 27, 1382 on the Goudberg between a Flemish army under Philip van Artevelde and a French army under Louis II of Flanders who had called upon the help of the French king Charles VI after he had suffered a defeat during the Battle of Beverhoutsveld...
in 1382.
In 1420 a larger town hall was built in High Gothic
Gothic architecture
Gothic architecture is a style of architecture that flourished during the high and late medieval period. It evolved from Romanesque architecture and was succeeded by Renaissance architecture....
style . The pointed arches in the hall on the ground-flour and upstairs are the only remnants of that building.
The present city hall was erected about 1520 in a style composed of Gothic
Gothic architecture
Gothic architecture is a style of architecture that flourished during the high and late medieval period. It evolved from Romanesque architecture and was succeeded by Renaissance architecture....
and Renaissance
Renaissance
The Renaissance was a cultural movement that spanned roughly the 14th to the 17th century, beginning in Italy in the Late Middle Ages and later spreading to the rest of Europe. The term is also used more loosely to refer to the historical era, but since the changes of the Renaissance were not...
elements. It was considerably larger than its predecessor. The front was gilded and polychromed (as the front of the Brussels
Brussels
Brussels , officially the Brussels Region or Brussels-Capital Region , is the capital of Belgium and the de facto capital of the European Union...
town hall still is).
In 1526, statues of the principal Counts of Flanders were put into niches, which so far had housed prophets' statues. In 1616 the town hall was once more enlarged, with a part of the front in the extant style.
From the end of the 17th and throughout the 18th centuries, the front underwent a series of alterations and mutilations. They did not hesitate to set up a pillory
Pillory
The pillory was a device made of a wooden or metal framework erected on a post, with holes for securing the head and hands, formerly used for punishment by public humiliation and often further physical abuse, sometimes lethal...
against it.
In 1807, during the French occupation, the statues and their canopies were removed and the front was flattened out according to the spirit of the age. Around 1850 the front was renovated, but not too successfully. Even while in progress the artistic value of the restoration was questioned.
In 1854 the festive hall was fitted up on the occasion of a visit by king Leopold II and the Queen. In 1934 the historic Council Chamber was likewise taken in hand.
In 1938 the first plans were drawn for the restoration of the building to its 16th-century state. The actual works lasted from 1958 to 1961.
Interior
In the city hall you also find the beautiful Aldermen’s hall and the Council chamber with 16th century sculpted chimneys. They are decorated with stained glass, wall murals and peculiar topographical maps.Aldermen’s hall, the Vierschaar
For several years now the historic Aldermen's Chamber, which had been a tribunal (vierschaar) up to 1787, has been used as wedding-room and as reception hall. The magnificent mantelpiece in late gothicGothic architecture
Gothic architecture is a style of architecture that flourished during the high and late medieval period. It evolved from Romanesque architecture and was succeeded by Renaissance architecture....
style was completed in 1527.
The mural paintings, made in 1875 after the romantic fashion of that time, depict outstanding scenes of Kortrijk's history.
The stained-glass windows show the city's coat of arms and those of the 13th century craft guilds (principally textile workers).
Council chamber
In this hall, one can find fine gothicGothic architecture
Gothic architecture is a style of architecture that flourished during the high and late medieval period. It evolved from Romanesque architecture and was succeeded by Renaissance architecture....
arches and a beautiful wooden portico. The graceful mantelpiece, a real lace work out of stone, is undoubtedly the show-piece of the Kortrijk city hall.