Kortrijk City Hall: Interior, the Aldermen’s hall with Gothic mantelpiece

The first city hall was gutted by the French army after the victory at Westrozebeke in 1382. In 1420 a larger town hall was built in High Gothic style. The pointed arches in the hall on the ground-flour and upstairs are the only remnants of that building. The present city hall was erected about 1520 in a style composed of Gothic and Renaissance elements. It was considerably larger than its predecessor. The front was gilded and polychromed (as is still seen in the facade of the Brussels town hall). In 1526, statues of the principal Counts of Flanders were put into niches, which had housed prophets’ statues. In 1616 the town hall was once more enlarged. It has gone through numerous alterations and restorations, the latest in 1961. The Aldermen’s hall (Vierschaar) and the Council chamber have 16th century sculpted chimneys. They are decorated with stained glass, wall murals and peculiar topographical maps.