Stadhuis - Oranje route

THE CITY HALL

The medieval town hall burned down in 1618. Hendrick de Keyser was commissioned to rebuild the town hall. This was completed in 1620 as a very balanced, almost symmetrical Renaissance-style building. On the front, above the door on the 1st floor is the coat of arms of Prince Maurice, who was stadholder of Holland when it was completed in 1620.

The city hall is built around the late Gothic grave tower from the 13th century. This can be clearly seen at the back.

The tower 'Het Steen' was used as a prison. This is where Balthasar Gerards - the murderer of William of Orange - was imprisoned prior to his execution. A scaffold was built at the front of the town hall, where he was put to death on 14 July 1584 after being horribly tortured the days before. Among other things, he was quartered and beheaded.