Old Town Hall Hasselt - Hasselt

Hasselt's old town hall is located on the Markt and is one of the oldest town halls in the Netherlands. There was already a town hall on the Markt in Hasselt in around 1400. The current building is slightly younger: the western part was built at the end of the 15th century, the eastern part in 1550. This year can be seen on the arch above the entrance.

The building is made of heavy Bentheimer sandstone blocks and built in late Gothic style. The Zwolle stonemason Jacob van Collen may have been involved in the construction. Many stonemasons and bricklayers came from Zwolle.

Over the centuries, the town hall has served various functions. It was an administrative centre where justice was administered. From 1617 it also served as a weigh house where merchants had their goods weighed. It has also been a wine house, tax office, library and drawing school. Over time the building fell into disrepair. In 1907-1908 a major restoration was carried out under the direction of architect Joseph Cuypers.

In 1995, the building became the property of the Hendrick de Keyser Society. After restoration, it was given a function as a historical and cultural centre. The Old City Hall now houses a large weapons collection, including the largest collection of arquebuses in the Netherlands, and 17th-century paintings.