Description
Aalst Town Hall is a neoclassical style building located on the Grand-Place (Grote Markt in Dutch) of the Belgian city of Aalst (Aalst) in the province of East Flanders.
History
The building is initially a mansion built in classical style in 1643-1645 by the Antwerp architect H. De Doncker. It was adapted and partly rebuilt in Rococo style in the 18th century. From these first two phases remains the inner courtyard.
The main facade, which overlooks the Grand-Place in Aalst (Grote Markt), was built in 1828-1830 in neoclassical style by the architect Louis Roelandt.
The building has been classified as a historical monument since June 19, 1991
Architeture
Neoclassical facade
The building presents towards the Grand-Place and towards the rue du Moulin (Molenstraat) a large neo-classical style facade with three levels and seven bays.
This facade, coated and painted in white, presents a symmetrical composition comprising a three-bay front section flanked by two bays on the left and two bays on the right.
The avant-corps is adorned, on the ground floor, with flat bosses with splits and, on the first floor, with four tall monolithic columns whose Corinthian capitals support a powerful smooth entablature. The entire width of the first floor is occupied by a balustraded balcony onto which three high patio doors open.
This avant-corps is pierced in the axis of a rectangular portal surmounted by a window framed by small columns, the capitals of which bear a triangular pediment surmounted by a large semicircular arch on the tympanum of which are represented the coat of arms of Aalst and foliage incorporating the 1830 vintage and lion heads. The spandrels are richly carved.
The neoclassical part of the town hall houses the village hall, which was renovated in 2011
Rear complex
Behind this neo-classical facade, the town hall forms a closed complex with buildings grouped around a rectangular paved courtyard.
The side wings of this complex are traditional brick and sandstone constructions built in 1643-1645.
The main wing, which closes the courtyard to the north, was rebuilt in 1756 in the Rococo style.
This wing, coated and painted white, presents a facade of five bays towards the courtyard. The luxuriously decorated central bay is delimited by two high bossed pilasters. The ground floor has a Louis XV style door surmounted by a finely crafted wrought iron transom window. The first floor has a patio door surmounted by a transom rather similar but with an arched profile, preceded by a black and gold wrought iron balcony. This axial bay ends with a richly decorated gable whose oculus and sculptures are inscribed under recti-curvilinear arches which bear a cartouche adorned with a sundial.