Photo: Cesar von Meissen
Historic building with character near Baldeneysee
The Old Town Hall (Werden) is far more than just a historic administrative building in Essen's south. It is an architectural testament to the eventful history of the district (Werden) and a striking landmark on the market square (Werdener). It was built in 1879/80 according to the plans of the Kupferdreh master builder Wilhelm Bovensiepen for the then independent and wealthy city of Essen (Werden).
Reconstruction and extension in 1912/13
The town hall only acquired its present form in 1912/13, when the Essen architects Großkopf and Kunz extensively expanded the building. They more than doubled its length to the west and added a gable-roofed extension to the northeast. This connects harmoniously to the adjacent building on the right, which was built in 1824 in the Neoclassical style and houses the Hirsch Pharmacy. Particularly striking are the two-story oriel window in the style of the German Renaissance, the Art Nouveau staircase, and the lion sculpture "The Guardian," which has greeted visitors for over a century. The town hall is thus a rare example of the architectural diversity that continues to characterize Essen to this day.
Town Hall in the heart of the Old Town (Werdener)
The town hall stands directly on the market square, one of the central squares of the district. Heckstraße leads down from Grafenstraße to the old market square, where the town hall stands as a prominent landmark amidst historic half-timbered houses, picturesque buildings, and small shops. The location of the Old Town Hall is typical for the former administrative center of the once-thriving city: nestled in the historic old town, just a few steps from the St. Ludgerus Basilica Located in a secluded spot and surrounded by narrow streets that have preserved the medieval character of the place. The proximity to the Ruhr River and the gentle hills of the surrounding countryside lend the location an additional special atmosphere.
Photo: Cesar von Meissen
Current use – a place between administration and history
Even though Werden has been part of Essen since 1929, the Old Town Hall Werden has never lost its importance in the district. Today, it primarily serves as the district administration office, houses various municipal facilities such as a branch of the youth welfare office and the district library, and is used for local residents' concerns. Furthermore, the building is a popular subject for photographs, a meeting place in the city, and an integral part of many events in the historic town center, such as the Christmas market. Essen-Werden or the Handcart parade to carnival. The mix of functional use and cultural significance makes the Old Town Hall Werden a living monument that connects past and present.
