Town hall of Menen

The Town hall of Menen, known locally as the Stadhuis van Menen, stands proudly at the heart of the Grote Markt in the charming Belgian city of Menen. This striking square-shaped building complex, which was constructed in two distinct phases during the 18th and 19th centuries, is a true testament to the city's rich history and architectural prowess. At its core lies a belfry with a carillon, recognized by UNESCO as part of the World Heritage Belfries of Belgium and France, adding an extra layer of historical significance to this already fascinating site.

A Journey Through Time: The History of the Town hall of Menen

In the county of Flanders, Menen was the principal town of the so-called roede van Menen, one of the five roeden of the castellany of Kortrijk. As such, Menen had its own municipal government with city magistrates and aldermen. The earliest reference to the town hall dates back to 1548, when a massive city fire on May 9th destroyed most of the buildings on the Grote Markt, including the then-existing town hall.

Between 1562 and 1568, a new town hall complex was constructed. This complex included a prison, cloth hall, concierge's residence, city scales, and meat house. The crowning glory of this project was the commencement of the belfry's construction in 1574 at the northeast corner of the complex. However, due to the outbreak of the Religious War in 1575, the work on the stone base had to be halted just a year later.

The belfry's construction resumed in 1602, and by 1610, the fifth floor was completed, topped with a dome-shaped spire featuring an open lantern housing a bell. Atop this structure stood a weather vane depicting St. Michael with the dragon. Between 1611 and 1616, the tower was further enhanced with a clock and a carillon.

On October 15, 1694, another fire broke out in the town hall. While the aldermen's house was destroyed, the belfry was spared. French King Louis XIV granted permission to restore the aldermen's house, but a few years later, Menen was embroiled in the War of the Spanish Succession.

Following the Battle of Ramillies, the Duke of Marlborough advanced towards Menen, which was besieged in 1706. The bombardments destroyed the aldermen's house, and the belfry’s carillon, clock, and spire also suffered damage. The city recovered after the siege, and the belfry was restored in 1711 with the addition of a sixth floor and a new octagonal dome roof. Around this time, a small building known as the Patriots' Guard was erected against the belfry's eastern wall.

On August 10, 1782, Emperor Joseph II granted permission for the construction of the current aldermen's house on the Grote Markt, known as the Landhuys. This building provided a meeting place for the bailiff and aldermen of the roede van Menen and the municipal magistrate. It also included a residence for the clerk, a prison, and an archive repository. However, in 1794, Menen was besieged again, this time by French Republican troops fighting the Austrians. The belfry's spire was once again destroyed, and the halls and scales on the Groentenmarkt side were reduced to rubble, leaving much of the complex in ruins for years. Fortunately, the aldermen's house remained intact. After the French victory, the roede van Menen was abolished, and the town hall buildings were seized and rented out to the city government.

The Town hall of Menen: A Symbol of Resilience

In 1808, Napoleon granted permission to restore the Landhuys, and in 1838, construction began on new wings to close the square complex once more. The southern side saw the rebuilding of the scales according to the plans of architect Josephus Devos. Along the Ieperstraat, a row of five interconnected houses with shopfronts was constructed, and the Groentenmarkt side was completed with two stately homes, one for the secretary and one for the commissioner.

The belfry was restored in 1828 under the supervision of provincial architect Van Caneghem, with the addition of a seventh floor and an observation platform with a balustrade of bottle-shaped pillars.

Throughout the 20th century, the town hall complex underwent numerous renovations and restorations, beginning with the restoration in 1896. During World War I, the complex served as the headquarters for German troops but fortunately escaped significant damage. In 1943, an air-raid shelter was built under the Grote Markt for the population and as a command post for Civil Protection.

Post-war renovations continued, and in 1963, the belfry received a new carillon after nearly two hundred years. Due to the many renovations, the town hall complex had become congested, difficult to access, and unreadable by the end of the 20th century. A thorough restoration and renewal project reorganized and restored the town hall to its former glory.

Visiting the Town hall of Menen

Today, the Town hall of Menen stands as a symbol of resilience and historical significance. Visitors to Menen can marvel at its architectural beauty, explore its rich history, and appreciate the intricate details that have been lovingly preserved and restored over the centuries. Whether you're a history enthusiast or simply looking to soak in the charm of this Belgian city, the Town hall of Menen is a must-visit destination that offers a glimpse into the past and a celebration of the enduring spirit of Menen.