The Citizen's Pride

For more than 500 years, the distinctive Old Town Hall has shaped the face of Oberlahnstein. The building, with its unique roof rider carrying the fire bell, is not only a beautiful example of early Rhenish half-timbered architecture, it is also one of the oldest half-timbered town halls in Germany. It was built in the 15th century in a central location at the marketplace. The imposing structure impressively demonstrates the importance of the city in the late Middle Ages; it was a visible expression of the pride of the citizens of Oberlahnstein.

In the building, first documented in 1507 as "Gemeinde Hus," the affairs of the city were managed henceforth, here justice was administered, and in the older hall, still built in the high Gothic style on the ground floor, markets were held. Thus, the town hall united under its roof self-governance, court, and market rights, alongside the right to establish a city wall, the three most important achievements granted to Oberlahnstein through the awarding of city rights in 1324.

Over the years, the old town hall was used in many different ways. The large council room on the upper floor served temporarily as a pharmacy and classroom. On the ground floor was the office for the night watchman and later for the police station, as well as the 'Bulles' (prison) known in popular slang as 'citizen obedience' and the fire department equipment room. On the attic, grain and other natural contributions collected as rent and dues were stored. Today, the Old Town Hall houses the city archive and the local museum.
The significant and eventful history of the city of Oberlahnstein is still present in the Old Town Hall today. Paintings in the hall depict the election and deposition of King Wenceslaus, who ruled the Holy Roman Empire from 1378 to 1400 and was deposed in Lahnstein. On the southern gable are depicted King Ludwig the Bavarian, who granted city rights to Oberlahnstein, and Diether von Isenburg, who lived in Lahnstein as Archbishop and Elector of Mainz from 1461 to 1474, each represented with their coat of arms.

In front of the building is the old marketplace with the medieval market fountain, whose baroque wooden structure was reconstructed according to old plans in 1937.