Tongeren town hall

Tongeren Town Hall (Stadhuis van Tongeren) is a striking 18th-century building standing on the Grote Markt, the main square of Belgium's oldest city. Its facade combines rugged blue stone with warm red-washed plaster, and the building still serves an official role today, hosting civic ceremonies and events.

Why did the previous town hall disappear?

The city's original seat of government stood elsewhere, on the corner of the Grote Markt and Sint-Truiderstraat, in the spot now occupied by the so-called Huis Boulet. That earlier building was lost in 1677, when a great fire swept through Tongeren and reduced much of the city to ashes. Decades passed before the town found the resources and political will to replace it.

When was the current town hall built?

The city council decided to erect a new town hall on 27 February 1737, choosing to build it on the ruins of the former cloth hall. Construction began just two months later, on 26 April 1737, in the presence of mayors Willem-Abraham Cours and Jacob Grouwels. The project did not proceed smoothly: the outbreak of the War of the Austrian Succession (1740–1748) halted work for years. The building was finally completed in 1755, nearly two decades after the council's original decision.

Who designed it, and where did the style come from?

The town hall was designed by architect Pascal Barbier, who took the town hall of Liège as his model. That influence is visible throughout the building's proportions and detailing — the pairing of blue stone with red-washed plaster is a hallmark of the Liège style, popular across the Meuse region in the 18th century and used here to signal the building's civic importance.

What role does the building play today?

Nearly three centuries after its completion, the town hall has not become a static relic — it remains in active use by the city administration and hosts official ceremonies. Its interior and facade have been carefully restored, preserving the historic character of the building while keeping it functional. Set right on the Grote Markt, it anchors the heart of Tongeren's old town, surrounded by cafés and historic townhouses.

What else is worth seeing nearby?

The town hall sits beside the market square that has been the center of city life for centuries. The surrounding streets hold further traces of Tongeren's long and turbulent history — a city that survived Roman-era conflicts, medieval fires, and repeated rebuilding, yet still holds the title of Belgium's oldest city.

Frequently asked questions

Is the current town hall the original building? No. The first town hall stood elsewhere on the Grote Markt and was destroyed in the great fire that devastated Tongeren in 1677.

How long did construction of the current building take? Eighteen years passed between the council's 1737 decision and the building's completion in 1755, with work interrupted for years by the War of the Austrian Succession.

Why does the facade have such a distinctive color scheme? It reflects the influence of Liège architecture — architect Pascal Barbier used the region's characteristic combination of blue stone and red-washed plaster.

Can visitors go inside? The building still serves administrative and ceremonial functions, so interior access depends on the city's current schedule — it's worth checking locally or with the tourist information office before visiting.