Timeline

Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

The town hall of Obernai, classified as a historical monument since 1900, occupies a site linked to bourgeois jurisdiction from 1370. A first construction was attested in 1370 by a foundation stone, but the present building found its origins in a reconstruction in 1462 mentioned in the communal accounts. In 1523, the northeast wing (the "Chancellery") was erected by Hans Jungling, while stained glass windows, including that of Niedermunster attributed to Martin Kurzel, adorn the council hall. These elements mark the transition between late Gothic and Renaissance in Alsatian architecture.

In the 17th century, the town hall underwent major changes: in 1604, a balcony carved by Georg Wildemann and exterior paintings by Melchior Beutel embellished the north facade. Between 1604 and 1610, the council hall was richly decorated with panelling, wooden doors worked by Lienhardt Haffner, a stained glass window by Barthélémy Link, and paintings by Miller and Bartenschlager. A sundial, added in 1610, completes this decoration. Extensions to market place in 1681 and 1691, destroyed in 1847, reflect the evolution of municipal needs.

In the 19th century, modernization projects were envisaged: in 1839 Albert Haas proposed a transformation, followed in 1844 by a project by Antoine Ringeisen, partially preserved. The works of 1847–48 redefine the current aspect of the building, combining medieval heritage and contemporary adaptations. The city hall remains a symbol of communal power and Alsatian identity, marked by major artistic contributions such as the stained glass windows of Hans Baldung, studied by Xavier Ohsser in 1954.

The building, located on Rue du Gouraud, is now owned by the commune of Obernai. His early ranking (1900) underscores his heritage importance, while recent studies, such as those of Séverine Schmutz in 2001, deepen his historical knowledge. The remains of stained glass, sculptures and interior paintings make it an exceptional testimony of art and urban history in Alsace.

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