Historisches Rathaus Lingen (Ems)

The historic town hall on the market square occupies a dominant position in terms of urban planning. It documents the urban self-confidence of past centuries.

With a floor area of 104 square meters, it is a small town hall, but dominates the market square. The predecessor building of today's town hall probably dates back to the 15th century and was probably destroyed in the great town fire of 1548. On the one hand, the Lingen town hall with its gable and the originally open court arbour belongs to a type that was widespread in north-western Germany, while on the other hand, the massive stepped gable also has a connection to the Dutch Renaissance.

From the 17th century onwards, the courts met in closed halls. For this reason, it was also necessary in Lingen to move the courtroom to the upper floor and, in 1663, to place a representative open staircase in front of it, from which judgments could be pronounced. A guardroom was built into the now vacant lower floor, which included two cells and the town scales. The coat of arms of the town of Lingen is inscribed in the gable above the door. The anchor irons at the height of the main cornice therefore form the year 1663.

In 2001, extensive conversion and renovation work was completed. Since then, the Lingen landmark has provided an appropriate setting for festive occasions such as receptions and civil wedding ceremonies.