Rathaus Lenzburg

Lenzburg Town Hall (Rathaus Lenzburg) sits at Rathausgasse 16 in the old town of Lenzburg, canton of Aargau, Switzerland. Built between 1677 and 1692 in the Baroque style, it is listed in the cantonal heritage inventory as a building of national significance (category A), and it makes an easy landmark for a walk through the town.

What does the town hall look like?

The facade rises three storeys across seven bays. The central bay projects slightly forward, and on the top floor a clock tower with a lantern-shaped cap crowns the building. Its symmetrical Baroque form stands out among the neighbouring houses, most of which date from the 17th and 18th centuries.

What is worth knowing about its history?

According to the heritage inventory, the interior keeps late Gothic door frames, wallpaper from 1815 and a carved sideboard brought over from the earlier town hall. At the entrance you will see a replica of the Justitia relief, the figure of justice. The original is held by Museum Burghalde, the town's regional history museum, housed in a building from 1628. The town hall was renovated in 1939–1940, and its exterior was restored again in 1965.

What else is nearby?

The town hall stands on Rathausgasse, the wide main street of the old town. The layout is horseshoe-shaped, with narrower lanes running parallel to the main street and Kirchgasse crossing at its lower end. The old town as a whole is of national importance. Only parts of the defensive walls survive: sections were pulled down in 1812, 1843 and 1938, and the town had already extended its area in 1744. The town church, dating from 1667, is close by, and Schloss Lenzburg looms above the town as a castle museum and cultural venue.

How should you plan a visit?

Treat the town hall as one stop on a walking route through the old town. A few minutes are enough for the facade, the clock tower and the Justitia replica. Together with Museum Burghalde and the church, the whole walk takes about one to two hours. The centre is compact and made for pedestrians, so comfortable shoes are all you need. If you want to see the interior, check lenzburg.ch before you travel, because the building houses the town administration.

Frequently asked questions

Where exactly is the town hall in Lenzburg?

At Rathausgasse 16, on the main street of the old town in Lenzburg, canton of Aargau.

What period is the building from?

It is Baroque. The Aargau heritage inventory dates it to 1677–1692.

Where can I see the original Justitia relief?

In Museum Burghalde in Lenzburg. The town hall carries a replica.

Is this the same town hall as the one in Zofingen?

No. Zofingen is a different town in the same canton with its own town hall. The building described here is in Lenzburg.