Alkmaar city hall

The Stadhuis or Townhall, was built in 1509 - 1520, and is halfway along the Langestraat, which is the main street in Alkmaar. The building and tower were restored between 1911 - 1913, and the current facade is a copy of the original. The door entrance displays allegorical figures of Prudence and Justice, and the coats of arms of former mayors.

At least from the outside, this town hall is very close to the most beautiful thing I know. The town hall in Leiden, for example, is also beautiful but is located on that terrible Breestraat (Broadway for the Amis) the ugliest street in the Netherlands; noisy, on the north side, always smelly from the heavy traffic. This town hall on the Laat is a bit more cozy and has that unique Dutch alternation of white and red in the brick exterior that gives it a glorious appearance. The tower is also very elegantly erected and can be seen from far and wide due to the lack of inappropriate high buildings in the center of Alkmaar. The two-sided stairs and the white lions really finish it off. You walk past it and every time its magnificence arouses in me unprecedented feelings of security and orientation. It is often underestimated what the appearance of a public building does to people. These buildings are often the heartbeat of a society and cannot really get enough attention. For example, if you compare the town hall of Den Helder with that of Alkmaar ... well. Anyway, Den Helder was of course the most bombed city in the Netherlands during the war and there were 'drop-offs' up to Alkmaar, thank God ... not.

Beautiful property. Do you have the chance to look inside, really do it. #xanderbw

More than a million views of my photo 's. The challenge is getting bigger to capture that one picture or moment. I am not a photographer but I do read through many tips from which angle you take a photo, or from the ground up. Quite a nice hobby to do between times and to reach so many people. People keep on clicking ... Thanks 👍

Very nice old town hall, also a fantastic location. Located in the shopping street De Langestraat.