Beschreibung
The only building extending into the triangle of the square is the Old Town Hall, located in the same place as the previous one, built in 1435. Those times are very famous for its splendid features, including glass paintings and glass etchings. It was destroyed in the great city fire of 1689. On the base of this first town hall another structure was built in 1787 in the style of the „German Renaissance“ which is the origin of today’s old town hall. Not until 1982 the Old Town Hall was abandoned as administrative seat in favour of a new building in the south of the historical town center. On the front side of the Old Town Hall several coats of arms with corresponding dates point out the repeated change of Bretten’s territorial affiliation. They showcase Bretten’s historical development from the 8th century onwards. In 767 Bretten was first mentioned in the Lorscher Codex. To the right of the historical coats of arms you can find the coats of arms of Bretten’s current sister cities: Hemer (Sauerland/Germany), Bellegarde-sur-Valserine (France), Longjumeau (France), Condeixa-a-Nova (Portugal), Wittenberg (Lutheran city in Sachsen-Anhalt/Germany) and Pontypool (Wales). Additionally there are other sister city agreements among Bretten’s boroughs: Neibsheim with Neuflize (France) and Nemesnaduvar (Hungary), Diedelsheim with Hidas (Hungary).
