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Origin and history

The town hall of Wissembourg, located in Place de la République, is a remarkable example of public architecture in the mid-18th century. Designed by architect Joseph Massol, its construction was initiated in 1741 under the impulse of the mayor Muhlberger, after the fire of 1677 which destroyed the old common house dating perhaps from 1396. The building, inaugurated in 1752, has a sandstone facade decorated with allegorical sculptures and a crowned pediment, while its square tower, partly made of wood, dominates the square.

The façade features baroque elements such as angels, flags and blank shields framed with rock, surmounted by a golden metallic crown. A sundial painted (1826), restored in 1937 and 1959, and a wrought iron balcony complete the ornamentation. Inside, the wedding hall, decorated with stuccs representing allegorical virtues (Justice, Prudence, etc.), bears witness to the city's fascist. During the Revolution, royal portraits were removed, and the medallions were later decorated with paintings by Vincent Thiébaut (1988).

Ranked a historic monument in 1932 (facade and roof) and registered since 1929, the city hall symbolizes the reconstruction of Wissembourg after the destructions of the seventeenth century. Its Latin inscription REGNLUDXVEXANTIQOCINLRESURREXI ("In the reign of Louis XV, I rose from my ashes") recalls this resilience. The building, owned by the commune, preserves original carpentry and a sandstone staircase with a wrought iron ramp, illustrating the artisanal know-how of the period.

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