The intricately carved façade of the Stadhuis was completed in 1375, but the niche statues are modern effigies of the counts and countesses of Flanders. These were added in the 1960s to replace those destroyed by the French army over a century before. The building is still used as a town hall. It is also a popular venue for Bruges weddings.

Inside, a staircase leads up from the spacious foyer to the beautiful Gothic Hall, which is open to visitors year round. This magnificent parliamentary chamber was built around 1400. Immaculately restored, the ceiling boasts some lavish woodcarvings including 16 beautiful corbels bearing representations of the seasons and the elements. A series of paintings around the hall was completed in 1895, each portraying a key event in the city’s history.

In an adjacent building is the Renaissance Hall, which houses a massive wood, marble and alabaster chimney designed by Laceloot Blondeel. The chimney is one of the best sculptural works of sixteenth century Flanders.